
Swollen lymph nodes behind the ear indicate an infection. They can be felt with the fingers and are painless in most cases. The lymph nodes swell as soon as a bacterial, viral or fungal infection occurs. Then they produce additional antibodies to find the infectious agents.
For swollen lymph nodes on the neck, behind the ear, under the arm or in the groin area, an appointment should be booked with the doctor if:
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Lymph nodes behind the ear swell when the person is suffering from a bacterial, viral or fungal infection in the ear, throat or eye. Another cause can also be an allergic reaction. The infections that specifically affect the lymph nodes behind the ear are:
The lymph nodes behind the ear can also swell if the person has sores on the neck. In an autoimmune disease, the immune system is weakened, and this can also cause the nodes to swell. In addition, with some cancers, such as lymphoma or leukaemia, swollen lymph nodes behind the ear can be the first sign of the disease.
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The symptoms of swelling of the lymph nodes in the ear can be different and vary in severity depending on the cause. When the immune defence is challenged with fighting a bacterial or viral pathogen, the lymph nodes swell. The skin region may be reddened and overheated. Sometimes those affected also feel pain behind the ear. Other symptoms may also occur, such as fever, tiredness and fatigue, sore throat or problems in swallowing.
Since swollen lymph nodes are not a disease themselves, but only a symptom of a disease, they are not treated directly. The treatment is aimed at fighting the disease that has caused the activity of the immune system and thus the swelling of the lymph node. This could be for example an infection in the mouth or throat, which the doctor treats with antibiotics.
The symptoms of swollen lymph nodes can often be treated with homeopathic remedies, acupuncture or home remedies.
Homeopathy
For swollen lymph nodes, the following homeopathic remedies are often recommended by an alternative practitioner:
The following home remedies are recommended for treating lymph node swelling:
Acupuncture
For swollen lymph nodes, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) can also help support the immune system through acupuncture. Acupuncture therapy can usually successfully treat the immune deficiency and some inflammations. Fine needles are inserted into the surface of the body along the meridians to release the dysfunctions.
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