Anyone ever deal with swollen lymph nodes?

Saturday, I went down to Milwaukee to see the Agnostic Front/Hatebreed show at The Rave. I stayed over at my aunt's house and went home Sunday night. Monday morning in the shower, I noticed my right armpit hurt when I was scrubbing it with a washcloth. I felt it with my fingers and noticed a lump. It wasn't there the day before when I put deodorant on... at least that I noticed at all. It's like it popped up overnight

By later that Monday afternoon, I noticed a bit more pain from it so I visited the employee health department at work. They said it seemed like a swollen lymph node and to keep an eye on it. If it grew worse, they suggested making an actual doctor appointment. The thing is, they asked if I had been sick at all lately and the answer was no. At that point, they were confused since the lymph system filters and catches foreign and infectious material in the body....

Fast forward to today: It feels a bit 'tighter' and is more painful. The skin over it has grown pink and it now looks like someone took a large 1" marble, cut it in half and inserted it under my skin if I raise my arm and look at it... it protrudes noticeably. Needless to say, I'm now beyond the "slightly concerned" state I was in on Monday.

My question is, has anyone here ever had a scare caused by a swollen lymph node and, if so, what caused it (especially interested if it was under your arm)? I'm worried that the fact that I haven't been ill but it's still very swollen means it is telling me something more severe is wrong.. namedly HIV, cancer, Hodgkin's disease or lymphoma.

I'm making an appointment tomorrow. Very, very worried here.

Don't pop it or baby spiders will swarm out.

I have one in my neck, and after being told it would go away 'in a few months', it's now been a few years. I didn't get sick or anything either, but it also doesn't hurt (doesn't feel like anything, really), but it gives my neck an extra curve. Since I've had it for so long, I thought, 'well, what the fuck, is it cancer?' and getting it checked out again..it's still just a swollen lymph node. I've been under the impression it's not going to hurt me, then again, it doesn't sound like it's as bad as yours. Sorry I couldn't say more/be more help.

Awwww christ......

Could be a cyst or something. Just go to the doctor, that thing's totally grossing me out.

Maybe you'll get a goiter!

At this point, I'm cheering for a boil or something. The last thing I want is an issue with my lymph system. At least a boil is just 'gross' and not potentially life threatening.

It's magically delicious!

Just the mention of spiders popping out would make me run to the ER and get a sonogram on that thing.

Go to the doctor. It does sound like a boil. But even a boil can be a sign of something far worse in your system. I had a friend that kept getting small boils every so often and taking antibiotics for them. They would always come back. Finally he got a large one on his face and had to go to the emergency room. Turns out it was never treated properly and was a sign of a strep infection that could have killed him. He needs to be on medication now for the rest of his life. Please get it checked.
If it comes back please get blood work done.

And for the love of God, don't try to pop it. You can get a serious blood infection.

Oh I'm going to make an appointment tomorrow, for sure. I'd NEVER try to pop it.. I don't even think that's possible. I do believe I'd pass out attempting it hahah.

A boil starts out suddenly as an itchy, red, painful lump. Usually within 24 hours, the lump fills with pus and takes on a round appearance with a yellow-white tip. There may be swelling around the boil as well as swelling of any lymph nodes near the boil. Lymph nodes are located in the neck, armpit, and groin area.

Boils and carbuncles are firm reddish swellings about 5-10mm across that are slightly raised above the skin surface. They are sore to the touch.

Boils may take from 10 to 25 days to heal. In most cases, a boil will not heal until it bursts and drains. This can take as long as 5 to 7 days.

Any of this sound like what you have?

Not in the least. Darn. I just have a painful bump under my skin.

I never thought this would be a good thing to say to cheer someone up, but there could be a whole bunch of different skin infections you could have! I wouldn't worry so heavily about it being cancerous or flesh eating just yet. Abcesses, strep and ingrown hairs are far more common. And swollen Lymph nodes are a sign that your body is fighting infection, not necessarily that you recently had a full blown bout with sickness. But do see a doctor and if there is any question whatsoever, make sure you get bloodwork done.

Good luck to you.

good luck with that.

swollen lymph node:



i get them randomly under my arms but they usually go away after a day or two. a friend of mine had one swell up and never go down so they just removed it. still a good idea to go to the doctor.

Back when I worked in a newspaper darkroom (think lots of chemicals) I'd get swollen lymph nodes all the time. Don't get 'em anymore, thank random deity of your choice.

Err.... I develop my own film at home. Hmmmmm

Might want to check into that. There's benzene in photo chemicals, y'know- at least, in the ones we used.

Well, gosh, now I'm getting paranoid about mine..

just feel lucky it's in your armpit, and not one of the lymph nodes in your groin...

I lanced a big cyst I had once. there is no worse smell in the universe.

Describe it, please.

yup. i have a pilonidal cyst, which is at the bottom of my tailbone. last time it flared up, it burst in the shower right before i was going to get it drained. i was literally gagging from the smell..not to mention the pain.