Suggest Treatment For Swollen Glands On The Side Of The Neck

Posted on Thu, 12 Jan 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 12 Jan 2017 Answered on

Fri, 3 Feb 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : Yesterday I seemed to have a swollen gland on the right side of my neck. Painful to the touch. I took 600 mg of Ibuprofen which helped the pain. Later in the evening I felt achy as if coming down with flu. Took another 800 mg of ibuprofen before going to bed. Slept fine but woke up just now with the right side of my face swollen and red. My eye seems to be closing, my nose is swollen. Looks like an allergic reaction but to what? And only on one side of my face. Feeling quite ooncerned. I am 72 years old. in good health and not prone to allergies.

Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (39 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Infection can be the reason.

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Thank you for the query.

This does not seem to be allergic reaction. This is rather an infection located somewhere near the lymph node you were able to palpate on the right side of the neck. Possible sources of such infection are teeth, throat, ear or salivary glands.
As the infection is close to the brain and can spread to it, I suggest you to do not wait. You should consult laryngologist as soon as possible.
Antibiotic seems necessary and an ultrasound of the face soft tissues.

Hope this helps.
Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar