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Original poster

Toddler lymph node

7 replies

Laurasanford111 · 03/05/2024 23:09

Hi all
My 16 month dd has a swollen lymph node, found it today when stroking her hair, looks to be occipital lymph nodes, the one below is moveable, the one above is bigger, like a pea sized and feels firm, not moveable. Of course I'm on Dr Google and reading the worst. Can't get seen til next Wednesday, I'm going to be an anxious mess until then

She is fine in herself...had an ear infection about 3 months ago that was it

Anyone else had anything like this? I'm fixating on the fact it's not soft and movable

I always think worst case scenario just trying to stay as positive as I can till we get seen..

OP posts:
Original poster
Laurasanford111 · 03/05/2024 23:13

I may add, she suffers a little from eczema I read online that can flare them up.

OP posts:
80skid · 03/05/2024 23:14

I took mine to the gp with this a week or so ago. It's totally normal, it's the body doing its job to fight infection. I was told a) if you're concerned, you're right to come and see me to get it checked/for reassurance and b) if it didn't go down in a week or so, come back.
All the best!

nocoolnamesleft · 03/05/2024 23:17

I would estimate that over the last 25 years I have seen an average per year of at least 1 child a week where the parents were concerned about lymph nodes. Do you know how many of the children where that was the main concern turned out to have cancer? So far, none. Of course I have diagnosed children with cancer,but that is not how they presented.

Yes, get it checked out, but pea sized is a perfectly normal size for lymph nodes in children. And occipital ones tend to be rather less mobile than those in other locations, as the tissues are shallower for them to move round in.

Original poster
Laurasanford111 · 03/05/2024 23:18

80skid · 03/05/2024 23:14

I took mine to the gp with this a week or so ago. It's totally normal, it's the body doing its job to fight infection. I was told a) if you're concerned, you're right to come and see me to get it checked/for reassurance and b) if it didn't go down in a week or so, come back.
All the best!

Thank you for your reply, I am going to try and calm down until we get an appointment next Wednesday it's just easier said than done, never had this with my son so new to me!

OP posts:
Original poster
Laurasanford111 · 03/05/2024 23:23

nocoolnamesleft · 03/05/2024 23:17

I would estimate that over the last 25 years I have seen an average per year of at least 1 child a week where the parents were concerned about lymph nodes. Do you know how many of the children where that was the main concern turned out to have cancer? So far, none. Of course I have diagnosed children with cancer,but that is not how they presented.

Yes, get it checked out, but pea sized is a perfectly normal size for lymph nodes in children. And occipital ones tend to be rather less mobile than those in other locations, as the tissues are shallower for them to move round in.

Hello @nocoolnamesleft thank you so much for replying. I had no idea how many lymph nodes there even were until today it was never something I looked into, that's helpful to know about the tissue regarding occipital ones, thank you for that information. I shall try to not read anymore online as I don't think that's the most helpful thing to do in this situation!

OP posts:
MrsCbabypls · 12/02/2025 21:37

@Laurasanford111 hi there. I appreciate this was a long time ago but I am experiencing something similar with my 3 year old son and spiralling……
What was the outcome please? Xxx

Original poster
Laurasanford111 · 12/02/2025 21:59

MrsCbabypls · 12/02/2025 21:37

@Laurasanford111 hi there. I appreciate this was a long time ago but I am experiencing something similar with my 3 year old son and spiralling……
What was the outcome please? Xxx

Hello @MrsCbabypls
She still has the lumps they seem to be either side of head same place, the Dr when we initially took her wasn't to concerned, she said they're not lymph nodes but could be part of her skull, they are no bigger than 1cm, she said just to keep an eye if they get bigger then we were to go back and be referred for a scan, it's been quite a number of months now and no bigger so we haven't been back. She is healthy and herself in every way we have had no reason to be concerned or anything and like says they would only refer for scan is if it is bigger than 1cm diameter. If you are worried just go to go for an opinion and go from there to put mind at ease xx

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