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Warning-sign checks

Neck lump: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Call emergency services if swelling affects your breathing, you cannot swallow your saliva, or your tongue or throat is rapidly swelling.

    These symptoms need immediate help.

    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Seek same-day medical care if the lump:

    • Is rapidly enlarging, very painful, red, or hot
    • Occurs with fever or feeling significantly unwell
    • Causes increasing difficulty swallowing
    • Appears after a neck injury and continues to swell

    Prompt assessment is also appropriate if you have ongoing hoarseness, one-sided ear pain without an ear problem, unexplained weight loss, drenching night sweats, coughing up blood, or a mouth ulcer that does not heal.

    These symptoms do not establish a diagnosis, but they should not be ignored.

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • has a fever with a stiff neck, a rash that does not fade under pressure, or severe headache
  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Arrange a medical appointment if a lump lasts longer than about two weeks, is getting larger, or has no clear connection to a recent infection.

    Also book an appointment if it feels hard or fixed, returns after disappearing, or lies just above or below the collarbone.

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • has noticed a lump, a mole that has changed, or unexplained weight loss

The article also says

Children often develop enlarged lymph nodes with infections.

A child should still be assessed if a lump is growing, unusually large, hard, persistently painless, or accompanied by ongoing fever or poor general health.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Neck lump. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.