How long it takes for swollen lymph nodes to resolve is related to their cause. Swollen lymph nodes caused by inflammation can resolve in about 1 week, while swollen lymph nodes caused by other causes take longer to resolve. Causes of swollen lymph nodes include inflammation, tumors, lymphomas and tuberculosis. Swollen lymph nodes caused by inflammation of peripheral tissues, known as lymphadenitis, are the least severe and manifest mainly as red, swollen and painful lymph nodes, which may appear purulent on the surface. Patients are treated with oral antibiotics and antibiotic creams applied to the surface of the lymph nodes, which usually resolve in about 1 week. Lymph node enlargement caused by nodules requires anti-tuberculosis treatment, which takes longer and may take 15-30 days or even longer to eliminate, depending on the patient’s condition. In contrast, swollen lymph nodes caused by tumors or lymphomas require tumor-specific treatment, such as surgical removal or chemotherapy or radiation therapy, and the elimination time is related to the effectiveness of the treatment. Therefore, once patients find swollen lymph nodes, they should go to the hospital in time to identify the cause and then target treatment to avoid delaying the condition.