7 Possible Mild Neck Swelling Causes
The list below shows results from the use of our quiz by Buoy users who experienced mild neck swelling. This list does not constitute medical advice and may not accurately represent what you have.
1.Retropharyngeal Abscess (Adult)
Retropharyngeal abscess is a collection of pus in the tissues in the back of the throat. It is a potentially life-threatening medical condition.
Good prognosis if caught early
- Rarity:
- Ultra rare
- Top Symptoms:
- sore throat, loss of appetite, fever, shortness of breath, being severely ill
- Urgency:
- Hospital emergency room
2.Ludwig's Angina
Ludwig angina is a bacterial infection of the floor of the mouth and occurs beneath the tongue.
Recovery is dependent on severity of disease.
- Rarity:
- Rare
- Top Symptoms:
- shortness of breath, fever, being severely ill, trouble swallowing, neck pain
- Urgency:
- Hospital emergency room
3.Overactive Thyroid
The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in the neck, just above your collarbone. It is one of your endocrine glands, which make hormones. Thyroid glands control how fast one burns calories and how fast the heart beats. If the thyroid is too active, it makes more thyroid hormones than the body needs. This is called hyperthyroidism.
Great prognosis with high remission rates
- Rarity:
- Uncommon
- Top Symptoms:
- fatigue, anxiety, depressed mood, irritability, trouble sleeping
- Urgency:
- Primary care doctor
Mild Neck Swelling Symptom Checker
Take a quiz to find out why you’re having mild neck swelling.
Take Quiz4.Enlarged Lymph Nodes in the Neck
Enlarged lymph nodes occur when the node becomes larger as it fills with inflammatory cells. This often is a result of an infection but can occur without a known cause.
Enlarged lymph nodes should go away within a week or two.
- Rarity:
- Common
- Top Symptoms:
- neck bump, movable neck lump
- Symptoms that always occur with enlarged lymph nodes in the neck:
- neck bump
- Symptoms that never occur with enlarged lymph nodes in the neck:
- unintentional weight loss, fever, hard neck lump
- Urgency:
- Phone call or in-person visit
5.Head and Neck Cancer
There are five main types of head and neck cancer, which are all named according to the part of the body where they develop: laryngeal (voice box), nasal cavity and sinus, nasopharyngeal (air passage way behind the nose), oral (mouth), and salivary gland cancers. Most of these cancers are squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs), meaning they begin in the flat (squamous) cells that make up the thin surface layer of the structures in the head and neck.
Head and neck cancers span different types of cancer with variable prognosis so a consultation with an oncologist is required to determine outlook.
- Rarity:
- Rare
- Top Symptoms:
- loss of appetite, unintentional weight loss, hoarse voice, neck bump, ear canal pain
- Urgency:
- Primary care doctor
6.Viral Throat Infection
Viral pharyngitis is an inflammation of the pharynx, the part of the throat between the nasal cavity and mouth, which causes throat pain.
Symptoms generally resolve within 3-4 days
- Rarity:
- Common
- Top Symptoms:
- sore throat, cough, congestion, fever, hoarse voice
- Symptoms that always occur with viral throat infection:
- sore throat
- Symptoms that never occur with viral throat infection:
- being severely ill
- Urgency:
- Self-treatment
7.Acute Thyroiditis
Acute thyroiditis is a rare inflammation of the thyroid gland caused by an infection, radiation, medication, or trauma.
2 weeks - 2 months with treatment
- Rarity:
- Ultra rare
- Top Symptoms:
- sore throat, fever, being severely ill, hoarse voice, pain in the front of the neck
- Symptoms that always occur with acute thyroiditis:
- pain in the front of the neck
- Urgency:
- Hospital emergency room
Questions Your Doctor May Ask About Mild Neck Swelling
- Q.If you touch the swollen area, is there pain?
- Q.Do food or drinks get stuck when you swallow?
- Q.Did you recently injure your neck?
- Q.Any fever today or during the last week?
If you've answered yes to one or more of these questions, try our mild neck swelling symptom checker to find out more.
Take QuizMild Neck Swelling Symptom Checker Statistics
People who have experienced mild neck swelling have also experienced:
- 7% Headache
- 5% Neck Pain on One Side
- 4% Itchy Rash
People who have experienced mild neck swelling had symptoms persist for:
- 33% Less Than a Week
- 25% Over a Month
- 24% Less Than a Day
People who have experienced mild neck swelling were most often matched with:
- 40% Retropharyngeal Abscess (Adult)
- 40% Ludwig's Angina
- 20% Overactive Thyroid
Source: Aggregated and anonymized results from visits to the Buoy AI health assistant (check it out by clicking on “Take Quiz”).