Often mothers ask: baby behind the ear and the back of the head there are a few like soybean as big as the “small bumps”, touching the slippery but buttery, when pressed can also be moved, does not hurt and does not itch. What is this? Is the baby sick? What is the matter with the bumps? In fact, such small bumps throughout the body, but only in superficial parts can be reached, such as: behind the ears, neck, armpits and other parts. They are as small as green beans and as large as fava beans, and are active in the subcutaneous tissue, with clear boundaries and no pain, nor redness or swelling. Medically, they are called lymph nodes, which are an important immune organ of the human body and are usually harmless, but in some cases they need to be treated. Today, we’ll talk about the truth about this “little bump” and when it can be ignored and when it needs to go to the hospital. What are lymph nodes? There are large and small lymph nodes all over the body, these lymph nodes will form the lymphatic system which is very important to the human body. The lymphatic system is the body’s defense system against diseases, and the lymph nodes in different parts of the body are responsible for the defense of different areas, and each of them plays its own role. When bacteria, viruses and other pathogens (enemy troops) invade, lymphocytes in the lymph nodes (our troops) can directly destroy them, in addition to the body’s lymph node enlargement and hyperplasia, which is equivalent to increase our “defense base” or “station”, to enhance the combat power. Therefore, lymph nodes are both a barrier and an alarm for the human body. Do enlarged lymph nodes need treatment? Most of the normal enlarged lymph nodes are the size of a soybean or a peanut, with a smooth surface and a pliable texture that can be slid around, do not hurt when touched, and the baby will not feel any other discomfort, so there is no need for medication or treatment. Although the following conditions rarely occur, vigilance is still needed. If the enlarged lymph nodes are not smooth, hard, fixed in position, do not slide, have a feeling of sticking together, are abnormally enlarged and do not subside, or are suddenly enlarged, red and swollen, then it is necessary to go to the hospital for detailed examination and treatment. Why are babies prone to swollen lymph nodes in the neck? Babies with high incidence of upper respiratory tract infections, repeated infections, in charge of this area of the neck lymph nodes will be hyperplasia and enlargement. Similarly, if there are infections in other parts of the body, the lymph nodes in the neighboring corresponding parts will also be enlarged. When the infection clears up, the lymph nodes will gradually shrink to normal size. If parents feel lymph nodes in these areas of their baby’s body, don’t be nervous, most of them are normal phenomena, which are left over from previous repeated infections, and will disappear when they reach puberty, so don’t worry about it. In addition, lymph nodes have the function of filtering microorganisms. If there are bacteria in the lymph nodes, it can cause them to become inflamed and enlarged, or even become pus-filled. This is another common cause of enlarged lymph nodes. Invasion of malignant tumors can also cause enlarged lymph nodes in babies. When your baby develops persistent fever, weight loss, poor appetite, poor spirit, enlarged liver and spleen, etc., parents should be alert and send your baby to the hospital as soon as possible to receive medical treatment to avoid deterioration of the condition. Enlarged lymph nodes in different parts of the body are caused by different reasons. 1. Enlarged lymph nodes in the groin usually indicate abnormalities in the organs around the groin, the abdominal cavity or the reproductive system, and also include systemic diseases. For example, malignant lymphoma can lead to enlarged lymph nodes, liver, spleen and other organs with diseases, digestive tract, skin, bone, breast, nervous system abnormalities can lead to inguinal lymph node enlargement. 2, the armpit will often occur lymph node swelling, mainly chest wall, mammary gland or upper trunk inflammation, easy to lead to axillary area lymph node swelling. Many diseases can also have symptoms of swollen lymph nodes, such as breast tumors, mastitis or diseases of the same side of the chest wall, if you find unexplained lymph node swelling, you must receive timely examination and treatment, so as not to delay the condition. 3. Enlarged lymph nodes in the neck are mainly caused by lymphatic reflux in the oral cavity, face, throat, sinuses and other parts of the body. If inflammation or cancer occurs in these areas, it is easy to invade or transfer to the lymph nodes in the neck. Sometimes chest, esophageal or gastrointestinal cancers can also trigger enlarged lymph nodes in the neck. Under normal circumstances, if the inflammation in the mouth is caused by fire, the swelling of lymph nodes will not have much effect. 4, behind the ear can also appear lymph node swelling, usually is the ear, eyelids, cheeks, cheeks and other parts of the inflammation, usually elimination of inflammation lymph node swelling can be relieved. Lymph node enlargement care program and medical advice 1, found that the lymph nodes are enlarged, the first thing to do is to observe the baby’s general condition, but also to see if there is any change in the baby’s body temperature, whether the lymph nodes continue to grow. 2. If the general condition is good, the baby is very active, does not have fever, has a good appetite, is gaining weight, and has a normal complexion, then you can rest assured that you can check the location of the lymph nodes, their size, whether or not they can be moved, and whether or not it hurts to press on them. 3, if the enlarged lymph nodes are only limited to the occiput, behind the ear, neck, under the jaw, can be moved, no pressure and pain, the beginning of the discovery of colds or abscesses in the neighborhood, the lymph nodes are not very large, although the increase in a number of, but did not continue to increase, that is, there is no serious illness, mothers and fathers can rest assured. 4, if the lymph continues to grow, you should measure your temperature a few times a day to see if there is a low-grade fever, and if there is any change in your general condition, such as your spirit and appetite. 5.If there is a change, and the weight does not increase, or even decrease, you should ask the doctor to check. 6, usually pay attention to the baby to increase nutrition, strengthen the body, and pay attention to prevent colds or other infections. Let the baby have more bed rest, strengthen nursing care, keep the room clean and ventilated. Give the baby more warm water, no need to avoid oil and eggs, so as not to cause the baby vitamin deficiency and malnutrition.