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Suggest Treatment For Tender And Swollen Lymph Node Near Ear
Question: I have just finished 2 rounds of anti-biotics for a swollen lymph node in front of my left ear. It is still very tender and swollen. What are the possible problems if not an ear infection ?
Brief Answer:
Please, what is the cause of these swollen nodes?
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.
I am so sorry to hear about this swollen lymph nodes and the failure of treatment. There are several different possible causes of swollen lymph nodes. Though infections are the most common causes, there are several other possible causes like drugs, allergies, idiopathic, tumors, auto immune diseases, etc. For treatment to be effective, the exact cause needs to be identified and managed accordingly. Antibiotics without reasons to suggest an infection would in most cases not work and this seems to be the case with you.
How big if this lymph node? For how long has this been going on? Do you have any other symptoms like fevers, weight loss, etc. that may help orient towards some other possible causes? How often has this node been manipulated? A silent and non specific node may soon be a major problem if it is constantly manipulated through repeated palpation.
In all, blind treatment with antibiotics in the absence of an infection may not always help. I will suggest that you consult an ENT specialist and get the cause of these symptoms well established before treatment. Some possible causes include tumors, drugs, and some without any apparent cause and termed idiopathic.
I hope this helps. I wish you well. Thank you so much for using our services and do feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be.
Please, what is the cause of these swollen nodes?
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.
I am so sorry to hear about this swollen lymph nodes and the failure of treatment. There are several different possible causes of swollen lymph nodes. Though infections are the most common causes, there are several other possible causes like drugs, allergies, idiopathic, tumors, auto immune diseases, etc. For treatment to be effective, the exact cause needs to be identified and managed accordingly. Antibiotics without reasons to suggest an infection would in most cases not work and this seems to be the case with you.
How big if this lymph node? For how long has this been going on? Do you have any other symptoms like fevers, weight loss, etc. that may help orient towards some other possible causes? How often has this node been manipulated? A silent and non specific node may soon be a major problem if it is constantly manipulated through repeated palpation.
In all, blind treatment with antibiotics in the absence of an infection may not always help. I will suggest that you consult an ENT specialist and get the cause of these symptoms well established before treatment. Some possible causes include tumors, drugs, and some without any apparent cause and termed idiopathic.
I hope this helps. I wish you well. Thank you so much for using our services and do feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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