How to check your lymph nodes

What are the aims of this leaflet?

This leaflet has been written to help you to understand more about checking your lymph nodes (‘glands’) yourself. It tells you what lymph nodes are, why you should check them and how often you should do a check. It also explains how to check lymph nodes. At the end of the leaflet there is further information on where you can find out more.

 What are lymph nodes?

The Lymphatic System

Lymph nodes (‘glands’) are part of the lymphatic system, which is a network of tiny tubes that carry a colourless fluid called lymph through the skin and deeper parts of the body. Lymph fluid contains immune cells (lymphocytes), nutrients and waste materials.

Figure 1 shows where lymph nodes are found in the body.

Figure 1. Position of lymph nodes

Lymphatic Vessels

Lymph fluid bathes the cells of the skin and internal organs. It drains into lymphatic vessels then larger lymphatic vessels called ducts in the neck before joining the blood stream near the heart (see Figure 1).

Lymph Nodes

Lymph nodes (‘glands’) are small ‘bean-shaped’ nodules that contain millions of infection fighting lymphocyte cells. They are found at intervals along the lymphatic vessels like ‘beads on a string’. The lymph nodes filter out harmful organisms and abnormal cells before the lymph reaches the blood stream.

Lymph nodes can only be felt in certain areas of the body (see Figure 1):

  • head and neck
  • axilla (armpit)
  • inguinal area (groin)
  • back of knees

Lymph nodes are usually too small to feel. However, sometimes they can be felt in slim people as smooth pea-sized lumps, usually in the groin. Another time when they can be felt is when you have an infection, (for example, a sore throat or an ear infection which can make the neck lymph nodes enlarged, painful and tender as these are the nearest lymph nodes to the site of infection).

Lymph nodes can also become enlarged if cancer cells lodge in them. In this case, they are usually painless.

Why should you be checking your lymph nodes?

You may have been diagnosed with a skin cancer that can sometimes spread into the lymphatic system, for example, melanoma or squamous cell carcinoma.

At your check-up visits you will usually have the lymph nodes around the location of your skin cancer examined. For example, if the skin cancer was on your face then the nodes around your ears and neck will be examined, or, if the skin cancer was on your leg then the lymph nodes behind your knee and in your groin will be felt. The aim is to detect any enlargement of the lymph nodes at an early stage.

Some people are advised to check their lymph nodes between clinic appointments. If you are worried about enlarged lymph nodes, tell your doctor or nurse specialist straight away, rather than waiting until your next clinic appointment.

If you are unsure about anything in this leaflet please talk to your doctor or clinical nurse specialist, who can show you how and which lymph nodes to check.

 How often should I check my lymph nodes?

It is usually advised that you check your lymph nodes once a month. This can be done at the same time as you check your skin for new or changing moles, lumps and bumps.

Do not be alarmed if you feel a lymph node (especially if it is tender) as it may be due to an infection, but if it has not reduced in size in a week, contact your doctor or clinical nurse specialist.

How do I check lymph nodes in the head and neck?

 Use your fingertips and a gentle circular motion to feel the lymph nodes in the areas illustrated in Figure 2. Examine in the order shown, starting at Number 1.

 

Figure 2. Location of lymph nodes (green) around the jaw and neck

  • Start with the nodes in front of the ear (number 1 in Figure 2) then follow in order finishing just above the collar bone (number 10 in Figure 2)
  • Always check your nodes in this order
  • Check both sides for comparison
  • If you have an enlarged lymph node it may feel firm and the size of a pea or grape

 

Figure 3. How to Check lymph nodes in front of the ear

 

Figure 4. How to check lymph nodes in the neck

To feel for nodes in the neck (number 8 in Figure 2):

  • Tilt your head towards the side you are examining, this helps to relax the muscle
  • Now gently press your fingers under the muscle

 

Figure 5. How to check lymph nodes above the collar bone

 

To check lymph nodes above the collar bone (number 10 in Figure 2):

  • Hunch your shoulders and bring your elbows forward to relax the skin
  • Now feel the area illustrated in Figure 5

How do I check lymph nodes in the armpit?

 

Figure 6. How to check lymph nodes in the armpit; location of lymph nodes in the armpit

  • Remove top clothing down to the waist to get easy access to the armpits
  • Sit in a comfortable position
  • Check each armpit in turn

To check the left side lift your arm slightly then place the fingers of your right hand high into the armpit and then lower your arm.

  • Feel in the central area of the armpit

Now move your fingers firmly against the chest wall as follows:

  • Along the front border of the armpit
  • Along the back border of the armpit
  • Feel along the underside of the upper arm

Now check the other armpit in the same way.

How do I check lymph nodes in the groin?

There are two areas to feel in the groin (see Figure 7):

  • Horizontally along the groin crease
  • Vertically along the upper thigh

Check both sides.

 

Figure 7. Checking your lymph nodes in the groin

Where can I get more information about checking lymph nodes?

Wessex Cancer Trust

Bellis House, 11 Westwood Road

Southampton SO17 1DL

Tel: (023) 8067 2200

Fax: (023) 8067 2266

Web:  https://www.wessexcancer.org.uk/stories-and-information/check-lymph-nodes/

Email: wct@wessexcancer.org

Jargon Buster: https://www.skinhealthinfo.org.uk/support-resources/jargon-buster/

Please note that the BAD provides web links to additional resources to help people access a range of information about their treatment or skin condition. The views expressed in these external resources may not be shared by the BAD or its members. The BAD has no control of and does not endorse the content of external links.

This leaflet aims to provide accurate information about the subject and is a consensus of the views held by representatives of the British Association of Dermatologists: individual patient circumstances may differ, which might alter both the advice and course of therapy given to you by your doctor. 

This leaflet has been assessed for readability by the British Association of Dermatologists’ Patient Information Lay Review Panel

BRITISH ASSOCIATION OF DERMATOLOGISTS PATIENT INFORMATION LEAFLET

PRODUCED -  AUGUST 2011

UPDATED -  SEPTEMBER 2014, NOVEMBER 2017, NOVEMBER 2020

NEXT REVIEW DATE - NOVEMBER 2023

 

Download File
Back to Top