Should I be worried if my lymph nodes hurt?

September 23, 2025 •

4 min read

Swollen lymph nodes are a common indicator that your body is fighting an infection, with pain often accompanying this immune response. It's a natural function of your lymphatic system, but it's understandable to wonder: Should I be worried if my lymph nodes hurt?

Quick Summary

Painful lymph nodes most often signal a common infection, like a cold or dental issue, and the tenderness is a sign your immune system is actively fighting. Though usually benign, persistence, accompanying symptoms, or a change in texture warrant a medical evaluation to rule out more serious conditions.

Key Points

Pain is often a good sign: Tenderness in a swollen lymph node usually means your immune system is actively fighting a common infection like a cold, flu, or local dental or skin issue.
Check the characteristics: While most painful lymph nodes are soft and movable, those that are hard, fixed in place, or painless are more concerning and should be evaluated by a doctor.
Monitor the duration: If a swollen lymph node persists for more than 2-4 weeks, or continues to grow, it's a key indicator that you should seek medical advice.
Look for other symptoms: Painful lymph nodes accompanied by unexplained weight loss, night sweats, or a prolonged fever are red flags that warrant immediate medical attention.
Location is a clue: Where the swelling occurs can help pinpoint the source. Swollen nodes in the neck often relate to head or throat infections, while groin swelling could indicate a leg or groin issue.
Home care for minor cases: For tender nodes from a simple infection, warm compresses and over-the-counter pain relievers can help reduce discomfort while your body heals.

Understanding the purpose of your lymph nodes

Your lymphatic system is a vital part of your immune defense, and your lymph nodes are its small, bean-shaped powerhouses. Found in clusters throughout your body, particularly in your neck, armpits, and groin, these nodes filter lymph fluid and store white blood cells. When your body detects a viral or bacterial threat, these cells multiply rapidly to fight it off, which can cause the nodes to swell and become painful—a condition known as lymphadenitis.

Common causes of painful lymph nodes

The vast majority of painful, swollen lymph nodes are the result of a straightforward, and often temporary, infection. The location of the painful node can offer a helpful clue as to the source of the infection.

Viral infections

These are some of the most frequent culprits behind tender lymph nodes:

Common Cold or Flu: The nodes in your neck often swell when you have a respiratory infection, like a cold or the flu.
Mononucleosis: The Epstein-Barr virus that causes mono can lead to widespread lymph node swelling, along with other symptoms like severe fatigue and fever.
Measles or Rubella: These viral infections, now less common due to vaccinations, can also cause swollen glands.

Bacterial infections

Painful lymph nodes can also be a sign of a bacterial issue, including:

Strep Throat: An infection in your throat can cause the cervical lymph nodes in your neck to become sore and swollen.
Dental Issues: An abscessed or impacted tooth, or even gum inflammation, can cause swelling in the lymph nodes under your jaw or chin.
Skin Infections: A local skin infection, such as from a bug bite or scrape, can cause the nodes in the affected area (e.g., your armpit or groin) to swell.

Other causes

While less common, other conditions that can cause lymph nodes to become painful include:

Autoimmune Diseases: Conditions like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis can cause widespread lymph node swelling as the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own tissues.
Certain Medications: Some drugs, including certain anti-seizure medications, can list swollen glands as a potential side effect.
Post-Vaccination: It's not uncommon for lymph nodes to swell temporarily following certain immunizations, including COVID-19 and typhoid vaccines.

How to monitor painful lymph nodes

In most cases, a sore lymph node is a good sign that your immune system is active and functioning properly. You should monitor the node for changes, but often, the pain and swelling will subside as the underlying infection clears. Some simple home care can help ease the discomfort, such as applying a warm compress and taking over-the-counter pain relievers.

When to see a doctor: distinguishing between minor and major causes

While most painful lymph nodes are no cause for alarm, there are specific signs that warrant a medical evaluation. Knowing what to look for can help you decide if it's time to make an appointment. Here's a comparison to guide your decision-making:


Characteristic	Symptom of Common Infection	Potential Sign of Serious Condition
Feeling	Soft, tender, and movable under the skin	Hard, fixed, and irregular; may feel rubbery
Onset	Appears suddenly, often with other illness symptoms	Develops slowly over time and may be painless
Duration	Lasts for a couple of weeks, then recedes	Persists for more than 2-4 weeks or continues to grow
Accompanying Symptoms	Fever, sore throat, cough, runny nose	Unexplained weight loss, drenching night sweats, persistent fever
Location	Localized to one area near an infection (e.g., neck for a sore throat)	Appears in two or more non-neighboring areas (generalized swelling)
Size	Typically pea- to bean-sized; may become larger during illness	Larger than 1-2 centimeters (about the size of a grape)

It is important to remember that cancer-related lymph node swelling is a rare cause, and the signs are often different from those of a typical infection. While the prospect can be frightening, understanding the common presentation of infection-related swelling can provide peace of mind. A doctor can perform a physical examination and may order additional tests, such as blood work or imaging, to determine the underlying cause.

What to expect at your doctor's visit

During your appointment, a healthcare provider will take a detailed medical history and conduct a physical exam. They will likely ask about the timeline of the swelling, any other symptoms you have experienced, recent travel, and contact with animals. They will carefully feel the size, texture, and mobility of the affected lymph nodes. Depending on their findings, they may recommend further testing, which could range from a simple blood test to check for infection markers to a lymph node biopsy if a more serious condition is suspected.

Conclusion: a symptom to monitor, not panic over

For the vast majority of people, painful lymph nodes are a temporary and reassuring sign that the body is effectively responding to an infection. The pain you feel is a byproduct of your immune system doing its job. By learning to distinguish between the common signs of an infection and the rarer, more serious indicators, you can better monitor your health. If you experience persistent swelling, a change in texture, or accompanying symptoms like unexplained weight loss or prolonged fever, it is always best to seek a professional medical opinion for a proper diagnosis and peace of mind. For more information on health, consult reliable sources such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Frequently Asked Questions

The most common cause of painful lymph nodes is a viral or bacterial infection. When your immune system fights off germs, the lymph nodes swell and become tender as they work to filter out and destroy harmful substances.

Yes, absolutely. A tooth infection, dental abscess, or even gum disease can cause the lymph nodes under your jaw or chin to swell and become painful as they react to the bacterial infection.

For most common infections, painful lymph nodes should begin to shrink and feel better within a couple of weeks as your body recovers. If the swelling persists for more than two to four weeks, it's a good idea to see a doctor.

While pain is typically a reassuring sign of an active immune response, you should be concerned if a lymph node is hard, fixed in place (not movable), continues to grow, or is accompanied by unexplained weight loss, persistent fever, or night sweats. These symptoms warrant a medical evaluation.

It is rare, but possible. In some cases, cancer of the lymph system (lymphoma) or the spread of other cancers can cause painful lymph nodes, but the swelling is often hard, fixed, and painless. It's why persistent, unusual swelling should always be checked by a healthcare professional.

A painful lymph node is usually a more reassuring sign, as it indicates an inflammatory response to an active infection. A painless, hard, and fixed lymph node is more concerning and should be evaluated by a doctor, as it can sometimes be a sign of cancer.

To relieve the pain and discomfort of swollen lymph nodes from a minor infection, you can apply a warm compress to the area, get extra rest, and use over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Always follow the label instructions and consult a doctor before giving aspirin to children.