Persistent Painful Lymph Nodes Under Jaw Since October 2024
Greetings, I’m seeking some feedback regarding ongoing issues with lymph nodes located beneath my jaw in the submandibular region. * **Timeline:** The lymph nodes first came to my attention in October 2024, coinciding with a severe throat infection, and they’ve not returned to their previous size since then. * **Characteristics:** These nodes are rounded, relatively large, and exhibit a "rubbery" feel. They are movable beneath the skin and are not adhered to surrounding tissues. * **Symptoms:** They become tender and painful upon contact. Recently, I’ve experienced additional discomfort or pain when I open my mouth wide, such as during yawning or eating. * **Context:** I also observed a small, painful ulcer inside my cheek on the same side. While I have used Modafinil sporadically in the past (with my last dose being five days ago), the lymph nodes have been enlarged for over a year now. Has anyone had experience with lymph nodes that remain enlarged or scarred for a prolonged period following an infection? Could this condition be linked to a dental problem that reoccurs, or should I be more alarmed given their persistent tenderness? I would greatly appreciate any insights or similar experiences that anyone might share. Age: 23, Male Non-smoker
Answers (1)
2/12/2026, 12:42:07 AM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you’re experiencing ongoing discomfort from lymph nodes beneath your jaw, which have remained enlarged and painful since your throat infection over a year ago. Let’s address your concerns by exploring potential causes and outlining clear next steps.
Main Points:
- Enlarged lymph nodes can be a result of previous infections or inflammation, but persistent symptoms may need further evaluation.
- The pain upon opening your mouth and the presence of a cheek ulcer might indicate an underlying dental issue, possibly related to infection or irritation.
Explanation:
Lymph nodes can remain enlarged for various reasons, typically as a response to infection or inflammation. The characteristics you described—movable, rubbery feel—are often seen in reactive lymph nodes, which can take time to return to normal size after an illness. However, persistent pain and tenderness could suggest ongoing inflammation or another issue requiring attention.
The ulcer in your cheek raises the possibility of a dental problem, such as an abscess or gingivitis, which can also cause the lymph nodes to remain swollen and tender. Since these nodes are reacting to something in their vicinity, it’s essential to explore this connection.
Next Steps:
-
Maintain Oral Hygiene: Continue to brush and floss regularly to minimize irritation that might worsen the ulcer or swelling. Consider using saltwater rinses to soothe any irritation.
-
Monitor Symptoms: Keep track of any changes in size, tenderness, or appearance of the lymph nodes and ulcer over the next week. Document any new symptoms like fever or additional pain.
-
Pain Management: Use over-the-counter pain relievers (like ibuprofen or acetaminophen) to help with discomfort as needed, but ensure you follow the recommended dosages.
-
Review Dietary Choices: To avoid aggravating your mouth pain, try soft foods and avoid anything too spicy, acidic, or hard that might irritate the ulcer.
-
Seek Dental Evaluation: Given the ongoing symptoms and the presence of the cheek ulcer, it may be prudent to consult with a dentist to rule out any dental infections or issues.
-
Regular Monitoring: If your symptoms persist beyond another week without improvement, or if you experience new symptoms, consider seeking further medical advice for a thorough evaluation.
It's completely understandable to feel concerned about persistent painful lymph nodes, but taking these steps can help you manage your symptoms and address potential underlying issues. Let me know if you need additional information or support!
Related Questions
Experiencing Neck Spasms and Tongue Discomfort
I've been experiencing an unusual spasm on the left side of my neck along with a slight discomfort in the area. Additionally, I notice a minor numbness on the left side of my tongue. I weigh 140 pounds and am 15 years old. I’m wondering if this sudden spasm and peculiar sensation in my tongue might be related to the movements I made after lying down or if it’s something else entirely. While I’m not overly worried, I’m just curious as many of the explanations I found online seem quite odd and improbable. What do you think?
Twitching Sensations in the Face and Legs
Greetings! I have noticed some unusual twitching on the left side of my face, specifically around my upper lip and cheek, which has persisted for the last couple of days. Additionally, I have experienced sporadic twitching in various areas of my legs while sitting or lying down. I am a 21-year-old woman and do not have any known medical conditions. My caffeine intake is relatively low, and recent blood and urine tests returned normal results across the board. Should I explore potential stress factors through self-care practices first, or would it be wise to consult my physician about these symptoms?
Understanding Heterogeneous Regions in the Placenta
Greetings! I’m a 38-year-old woman with a past experience of losing a pregnancy at 24 weeks due to chronic placental abruption stemming from an infection. I currently have a cerclage placed and am thrilled to share that I’m pregnant again. During my latest check-up at 14 weeks, the medical team expressed some concerns about a specific area in my placenta, describing it as heterogeneous. This region measures roughly 4 cm by 2 cm by 1 cm. Has anyone encountered something similar? Initially, I suspected it might be a subchorionic hematoma when the ultrasound technician was evaluating it, but the maternal-fetal medicine specialist referred to it as a "heterogeneous area in my placenta." The information I’ve found online has left me quite anxious. I have plenty of images if that would be beneficial for context. Your insights would be much appreciated!
Managing a Cut Inside the Ear Canal
I am a 35-year-old male, weighing 180 pounds and standing 5'9", without any current medications. Last night, while trying to relieve the feeling of trapped water in my ear after a shower, I inadvertently scratched the inside of my ear with my pinky finger. Unfortunately, my finger's nail must have been sharp enough to cause a cut inside the canal, and now I'm experiencing some bleeding. The injury seems to be quite deep, which raises my concerns about applying Neosporin, as I'm unsure if it's safe to use in this area. What is the proper way to clean this cut to minimize the risk of infection?
Concerns After Experiencing Asphyxiation and Symptoms of a Stroke
Subject: Male, 17 years old I experienced a terrifying incident where I felt as though I was suffocating and believed I might have had a stroke. The event is quite hazy in my memory; everything suddenly became dark, and I had an overwhelming sense of drowsiness. Following that, I felt a peculiar tingling and vibrating sensation throughout my body. When I regained consciousness, I was disoriented and struggled to recall what had occurred moments prior. According to my partner, my body became limp, and I went through a brief episode of convulsions. If you need further details, please feel free to ask in the comments.