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Lifestyle and home remedies
By Mayo Clinic staffIf your swollen lymph glands are tender or painful, you might get some relief by doing the following:
- Apply warmth. Apply a warm, wet compress, such as a washcloth dipped in hot water and wrung out, to the affected area.
- Take pain relievers. Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) and acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), may help alleviate pain and fever. Don't give your child aspirin without consulting your doctor because of its link to Reye's syndrome in children. Reye's syndrome is a rare, but serious illness that can affect the blood, liver and brain of a child or teenager recovering from a viral infection.
- Get adequate rest. You often need rest to aid your recovery from the underlying condition.
References
- Armitage JO. Approach to the patient with lymphadenopathy and splenomegaly. In: Goldman L, et al. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/224582198-6/0/1492/0.html. Accessed Oct. 29, 2010.
- Fletcher RH. Evaluation of peripheral lymphadenopathy in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Dec. 6, 2010.
- Henry PH, et al. Enlargement of lymph nodes and spleen. In: Fauci AS, et al. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 17th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw Hill Medical; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2875326. Accessed Dec. 6, 2010.
- Lymphadenitis. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/sec10/ch119/ch119j.html#sec10-ch119-ch119j-691. Accessed Dec. 5, 2010.
- Mohler ER, et al. Lymphedema: Etiology, clinical manifestations, and diagnosis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Dec. 6, 2010.
- Rosenberg TL, et al. Evaluating the adult patient with a neck mass. Medical Clinics of North America. 2010;94:1017.
- Anderson CF (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Dec. 7, 2010.
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