When a child has lymph nodes that are inflamed, it is a disease such as lymphadenitis. The lymph node is the organ of the lymphatic system, which serves as a biological filter. The lymph from the organs and parts of the body passes through it. The knots themselves often have a round, oval shape or bean shape. They are located in groups of up to 10 pieces near the blood vessels (usually near large veins). The lymph node is a barrier to the spread of infections and even cancer cells.
The causes of lymphadenitis in children are most often infectious diseases (diphtheria, scarlet fever, tonsillitis, tonsillitis, influenza and SARS). Provoke lymphadenitis can also caries, inflammation of the gums and jaw.
Types and symptoms of lymphadenitis in children
Symptoms of lymphadenitis in children are very clear, so treatment of this disease should begin on time. In addition, in children, lymphadenitis is not an independent disease. It is more the reaction of the body to the appearance of infection in that part of the body where the lymph node starts accumulating lymph. The most common in children cervical, submandibular, inguinal and axillary lymphadenitis.
Lymphadenitis in children is of two types:
1. Acute lymphadenitis usually occurs after damage to the skin (inflammatory or traumatic), mucous membranes of the throat, mouth and nose.
Among the symptoms of acute lymphadenitis in children are:
- increase and soreness of lymph nodes in a certain zone;
- high (about 38 °) body temperature;
- deterioration of appetite and sleep;
- chills, headaches and weakness;
- if treatment is not started on time (after a lapse of 1-2 days), purulent melting of the lymph node tissue with the transition to neighboring fatty tissue.
2. Chronic lymphadenitis is the result of multiple infection, which causes seizures and enlarged lymph nodes. Chronic lymphadenitis can be:
- hyperplastic (lymph node is enlarged, mobile, palpation dense, almost painless, does not form adhesions with nearby tissues);
- abscessing (there are separate foci of red and thin skin, which eventually open, forming fistulas).
Chronic lymphadenitis to a much lesser degree causes discomfort to the child, because the lymph nodes in this case are less painful, and the body temperature does not increase at all.
If the above symptoms have been identified by you, the child should be shown to the doctor as soon as possible. Only a specialist will be able to diagnose correctly and prescribe a treatment depending on the type and specificity of the disease.
How to treat lymphadenitis in children?
Treatment of lymphadenitis in children is primarily to eliminate the causes of the disease, that is, the infection that caused it. As a local treatment, physiotherapy is used in combination with the application of special ointments to the affected areas of the body. In addition, the child is prescribed antiallergic drugs, vitamins and restorative medications.
Children under the age of 7 years are treated mainly in the hospital. When the lymphadenitis is accompanied by purulent melting of the lymph node tissue, the child, regardless of age, is hospitalized without fail. Then an operation is carried out to remove the abscess and antibiotics and drugs are prescribed to combat the intoxication of the body.
Of course, all parents would like to avoid dating their child with lymphadenitis. For this, it is recommended to visit the baby dentist more often with a baby and to treat caries in time. All infectious diseases must necessarily be treated to the end and make every effort to have the child hurt them as little as possible.