Mild Neck Swelling Symptoms, Causes & Common Questions

Top 6 Mild Neck Swelling Causes

1. 1.Irritant Contact Dermatitis

   Contact dermatitis is a condition in which the skin becomes red, sore, or inflamed after direct contact with a substance. This condition most often affects skin of the hands, and may occur after repeated and prolonged exposure to substances such as water, detergents (soaps, bleach), solvents (such as gasoline), acids, powders, dust, and soil. The onset of the skin reaction is usually within 48 hours of coming in contact with the substance.

   You can safely treat this condition on your own. The main treatment for this disease is to avoid the substance that triggers the skin inflammation. Moisturizer can also be helpful to provide relief for your inflamed skin.

   Rarity:

   Common

   Top Symptoms:

   rash with well-defined border, itchy rash, red or pink, rough patch of skin, painful rash, red rash

   Symptoms that always occur with irritant contact dermatitis:

   rash with well-defined border

   Symptoms that never occur with irritant contact dermatitis:

   fever, black-colored skin changes, brown-colored skin changes, blue-colored skin changes

   Urgency:

   Self-treatment

2. 2.Non - Specific Skin Rash

   A rash is an area of irritated or swollen skin. Often, rashes are unidentifiable and some variation of normal. For example, scratching one's arm causes it to turn red (which is caused by mast cells releasing chemicals into the local area), but that's completely normal.

   At this time, you do not need treatment for this rash. If it worsens, you may need to consult a physician.

   Rarity:

   Common

   Top Symptoms:

   rash

   Symptoms that always occur with non-specific skin rash:

   rash

   Urgency:

   Wait and watch

3. 3.Branchial Cleft Anomaly

   A branchial cleft anomaly (abnormality) is a mass of unusual tissues within the neck. These tissues may form fluid-filled pockets called cysts, or they may form passages (called fistulas) that drain to an opening in the skin.

   You should visit your primary care physician who will perform a thorough physical exam. Branchial cleft anomalies are usually treated with surgery, and it is important to check for any infection.

   Rarity:

   Rare

   Top Symptoms:

   neck bump, shortness of breath, painful neck lump, swollen neck, trouble swallowing

   Symptoms that never occur with branchial cleft anomaly:

   bleeding from the ear

   Urgency:

   Primary care doctor

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4. 4.Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)

   Eczema is a form of skin inflammation that causes skin to be dry, itchy, red, and irritated.

   You should go to your local pharmacy or retail clinic to be treated. The usual treatment for atopic eczema involves avoiding irritants and other triggers, using moisturizers to prevent inflammation, as well as steroid creams and ointments when the inflammation flares up.

   Rarity:

   Common

   Top Symptoms:

   trouble sleeping, feeling itchy or tingling all over, dry skin, scalp itchiness, flexor surface rash

   Symptoms that never occur with eczema (atopic dermatitis):

   fever

   Urgency:

   Phone call or in-person visit

5. 5.Cellulitis

   Neck cellulitis is a skin infection that typically comes from other parts of the face like the mouth or the sinuses and needs antibiotic treatment. Symptoms can be pain, redness, warmth and swelling of the affected area.

   You should seek care at your primary care physician or an urgent care within a day or two, to start antibiotic treatment and to prevent the infection from spreading to other parts of your body.

   Rarity:

   Uncommon

   Top Symptoms:

   neck redness, trouble swallowing, neck pain, painful neck swelling

   Symptoms that always occur with cellulitis:

   neck redness

   Urgency:

   Primary care doctor

6. 6.Bruise of the Face / Neck

   A bruise is an area of skin discoloration. A bruise occurs when small blood vessels break and leak their contents into the soft tissue beneath the skin.

   You do not need treatment in the case that this is a simple bruise. A bruise that spreads may suggest a bigger problem and would require medical attention.

   Rarity:

   Common

   Top Symptoms:

   painful neck swelling, neck injury, warm and red neck swelling, neck bruise

   Symptoms that always occur with bruise of the face/neck:

   neck injury

   Urgency:

   Self-treatment

Questions Your Doctor May Ask About Mild Neck Swelling

• Q.Is your neck swelling getting better or worse?
• Q.How long has your neck been swollen?
• Q.Any fever today or during the last week?
• Q.Do you have a sore throat?