Swollen lymph nodes may result from an infection or illness. If they last for a long time or occur with other symptoms, you may need medical care. Treatment is specific to the cause of the swollen nodes.
Your lymph nodes play an important part in your immune health. As part of the lymphatic system, they help filter out bacteria and viruses that might otherwise cause infection throughout your body.
Lymph node swelling, also called lymphadenopathy, is fairly common and usually not serious.
If you only have swelling in one or two lymph nodes, you likely have an infection in a nearby part of your body. For example, swelling in the lymph nodes of your throat typically indicates some type of throat infection.
Occipital lymph nodes are those found on the back of your head. If the swollen nodes are located on the neck below the ear, healthcare professionals may call them posterior cervical lymph nodes.
Many conditions may cause swelling in the lymph nodes on the back of the head. Here are the most common causes:
Local bacterial infections may cause your occipital lymph nodes to swell.
Impetigo of the scalp is a common bacterial infection that can swell the lymph nodes on the back of the head and cause red sores that burst and crust over.
Impetigo is very contagious, but antibiotics can treat the infection and help reduce the risk of transmission.
Cat scratch disease is another condition that may cause swollen occipital lymph nodes. This happens when a cat scratches you and transfers the bacteria Bartonella henselae from the saliva to your wound, which then becomes infected. In this case, the scratch would have to be on the scalp or back of the neck to affect the occipital lymph nodes.
Usually, this condition goes away by itself, or a healthcare professional may prescribe antibiotics. In rare cases, the condition becomes serious.
Ringworm is a contagious fungal infection that may lead to swollen lymph nodes. Symptoms include round, scaly bald patches on the scalp (or anywhere else where it develops).
Ringworm typically isn’t serious, but treatment is needed to prevent persistent or serious inflammation.
The main sign of head lice is an itchy scalp, but you could also have swollen lymph nodes, including on the back of the head.
Head lice spread easily, so you’ll need quick treatment to kill the lice and their eggs.
Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition characterized by itchy, silver patches of skin that can be powdery or scaly. It is an autoimmune condition, meaning the immune system fights the body’s own tissues because it mistakes them for foreign substances or invaders. It causes inflammation.
Swollen lymph nodes along with scalp psoriasis could suggest you have a yeast infection on your scalp. They may also result from a secondary bacterial infection, from scratching a psoriasis lesion.
Rubella is a contagious viral infection. It can appear similar to measles, but it’s generally milder and may not spread as easily.
In addition to swollen occipital lymph nodes, rubella can cause:
- a pink rash that spreads from your face to your torso, arms, and legs
- nasal congestion
- eye inflammation and redness
- head and joint pain
- fever, usually no more than 102°F (38.9°C)
Rubella can have serious health consequences for a developing fetus, so it’s important to see a doctor right away if you’re pregnant and think you could have been exposed to rubella.
Otherwise, most people recover with plenty of rest and over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers.
The vast majority of children around the world receive the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine before beginning school. Getting the vaccine is the best way to prevent rubella.
Mononucleosis or mono is a contagious condition commonly spread through saliva. It causes symptoms that may last for several weeks. Epstein-Barr virus is the most common cause.
Treatment for mono primarily involves rest and plenty of fluids, as it eventually clears up on its own.
One of the most common symptoms of mono is swollen lymph nodes, particularly in your neck, under your arms, or in your groin. It can also cause swelling in the occipital nodes.
Mononucleosis can occasionally cause complications, including liver issues or an enlarged spleen, so it’s best to follow up with a healthcare professional.
Rarely, swollen lymph nodes at the base of your neck could indicate a type of cancer called lymphoma. If you have lymphoma, lymph nodes in other areas may also swell, though this swelling typically won’t cause pain.
Experts aren’t certain about the causes of lymphoma, but it develops when certain white blood cells in your body, called lymphocytes, mutate and begin multiplying at a faster rate than they typically would. These cells live longer as a result of the mutation, so they begin to build up in your lymph nodes, making them swell.
Along with swelling in your lymph nodes, lymphoma may cause:
- fever and chills
- coughing and shortness of breath
- night sweats
- weight loss
- fatigue and weakness
- pain in your chest
Lymphoma can develop in people of all ages. Treatment generally depends on how advanced the cancer is when it’s discovered and the specific type of lymphoma you have.
Melanoma is a type of skin cancer. Like lymphoma, it is a much less likely cause of swelling in the occipital lymph nodes than bacterial or viral infections.
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The most common type of melanoma people get on the head and neck is called nodular melanoma. These tumors tend to be blue or black on the skin, but sometimes are the same color as your skin, and they can grow very quickly.
Healthcare professionals often use surgery to remove melanoma on the skin.
Autoimmune diseases are
These conditions may include:
- systemic lupus erythematosus
- amyloidosis
- rheumatoid arthritis
- sarcoidosis
- eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (also called Churg-Strauss syndrome)
If you have swollen occipital lymph nodes but aren’t sure of the cause, they’ve been swollen for more than a couple of weeks, or you have lymph node swelling in multiple places on your body, a healthcare professional can help with
To find the cause of your swollen occipital lymph nodes, a healthcare professional may ask you about your medical history and do a physical exam. They will also feel the swollen lymph nodes, noting the size and firmness, and whether you feel pain when they’re gently pressed.
The healthcare professional may investigate the issue further using:
- a blood test
- a computerized tomography (CT) scan
- a biopsy of the lymph node tissue
Treatment for swollen occipital lymph nodes will depend on the cause. And even when the cause has been determined, there may be a wide range of options to address the condition and the swollen nodes. For example:
- Antibiotics: A doctor may prescribe these for a bacterial infection, including impetigo.
- Antifungal medication: You may receive these for a fungal infection, such as ringworm.
- Immune therapy: If the swelling is due to an autoimmune reaction, a healthcare professional may recommend immune therapy or glucocorticoid medication.
- Cancer treatment: Cancers such as melanoma or lymphoma may require surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or a combination of these.
- Supportive care: This is the main treatment for mono and rubella — healthcare professionals typically don’t prescribe antiviral medications for these.
Swollen occipital lymph nodes often aren’t serious. But if you have swelling in multiple lymph nodes throughout your body, experience pain, or have other symptoms, it’s best to see a healthcare professional.
In general, it’s also a good idea to make an appointment if you:
- have swollen lymph nodes without an apparent cause
- have swollen lymph nodes in other locations as well
- experience swollen lymph nodes for more than 2 weeks
- have lymph nodes that feel hard and don’t move under your finger
- experience unexplained weight loss, night sweats, and intermittent fevers
Many conditions may cause lymph nodes to swell on the back of the head (occipital region). Infections, mono, and cancer are some possible causes.
If you have swelling in your occipital lymph nodes for more than 2 weeks or you notice other unusual symptoms, it’s important to see a healthcare professional.