Put Gauges In Ears, They Began To Swell, Lymph Nodes Inflamed. Reason?

hi i am a 23 year old female and a week ago i put gauges in my ears and they instntly began to swell and inflame in about 1 hr i noticed that my lymph nodes on both sides behind my ears were inflamed. so i took the gauges out. as my ears began to heal the one lymph node went down the one on my left side still has yet to go down and it seems to feel harder than what it was ....ever since ive had swimmers ear when i was ten they always seem to b a lil large and doctors have aways told me not to worry ....but this time it doesnt seem right what should i do?!?!