Lumps in Toddler's Neck & Neck Rash

Hi J.,

My two year old son also has had a lump on the left side of neck. It seems to come and go and I was also concerned but I have brought him to my pediatrician and they don't seemed to be concerned. They said that it is simply a lymph node and all it means is that his body is fighting off something. They said they would be concerned if the lump didn't move when you touched it. He has been pretty healthy so I don't think you have anything to worry about:)

Hi J.,
My daughter gets swollen lymph nodes when she's been sick. I was so worried the first time I felt that hard lump - but the doctors assured me that it is very normal. It's probably a good idea to get him looked at anyway and see if there is more you can do for the eczema and have them check the glands as well!

When my daughter was 2-3 she had the same lumps in her neck and behind her ears. I was a new mom and made a lot of trips to the pediatrics office, worried they were something serious. It turns out she had a bug bite close by and the doctor told me it was lymph nodes fighting off infection. Well every time she had a fever, a rash, or bug bite she would get the small lumps near her ears or back of her neck. She's twelve now and she seems to have out-grown this. Hope this helps! Good Luck!

The small lumps do sound like swollen glands which means your son is fighting off an infection or virus or sickness of sorts, could be the scratches from the eczema are causing a swollen glands. I know when I bite my cheek my lymph nodes along my jaw get swollen and when I have an ingrown hair in my armpit, my glands under there get bigger. So I would take him to get checked out. The hair thing is something strange too. Have you looked up anything online about that? I would definitely get him an appointment with the doc to get this figured out. Best wishes to you.

My son is 7 1/2 years old and still has the lump on the back of his head near his neck. Its definately glands and it is perfectly normal. I even have a co-worker who has one in her forearm. I would say have the ped check it out to be sure.
About the eczema, my son had it really bad when he was only a month old(and still suffers from dry skin) and the dermatologist recommended to use Cetaphil lotion and body wash. I used it on him till he was about 6 months old and it cleared up right away. After that I just started using the Gerber Oatmeal body wash and lotion(its very mild, but smells sooo good).

I would take him to the pediatrician asap..who knows what these could be and ask for a referral to a dermatologist for his rash if you feel you need to go to the next step on that.

Hi
I am an Occupational Therapist that does Lymphatic Drainage. What you described as lumps in a line ( the nurse called them glands)is congestion in the lymph system. The rash is another symptom. The scratching is another indicator.
The lymph system is our detox system. Things I tell my clients to do ......water .....exercise (play).....baths in equal parts of Epsom Salts and Baking Soda Bath Sometimes the lymph system needs help. Good Luck. C.

Hi J.,
Have you looked into allergies? My son is allergic to milk & he also has eczema, but once we figured out the allergy the eczema got so much better, He still has dry spots but nothing like before. I think I also remember bumbby glands. Just a thought. good luck . if you are in CT I have a great allergist. M.

Hi J.,

It is most likely swollen lymph nodes. My son has had them since he was an infant. At the time he had cradle cap. The pediatrician told me they were enlarged due to the cradle cap. I later discovered he had food intolerances. His cradle cap is now gone and I eliminated a bunch of foods that he was having difficulty with. His nodes are still swollen. So don't be surprised if you discover what is causing his eczema, eliminate it, and find that his nodes are still swollen.
Below is a link you can learn more about the lymphatic system. Check out the diagrams so that you are familiar with where the nodes are located. That way if a lump shows up where none exist, you'll know to have it checked out.
Good to have an appt. with the pediatrician to be sure it's nothing concerning.
I also included links for eczema.
http://www.medicinenet.com/eczema/article.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eczema
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/eczema.html

Good luck,
: ) Maureen
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lymph_node

Sounds like both conditions are related to an imbalance in the immune system - the lymph nodes swell when the body is fighting infection, and the eczema is related to some inability to process something he has taken in. I know so many people who strengthen their immune system with Reliv - a lot of my friends have gotten rid of eczema in their kids by using it. There is a special product just for kids, a delicious and completely safe supplement. It's much easier and more comfortable than eliminating a zillion things from their diet!

Since they are in a line and from where you describe it does sound like his lymph nodes(glands) are swollen. It is usally due to an infection of some kind in the area of the swollen glands. If his eczema has also kicked up it is likely an allergic reaction. any new foods or soaps, detergents lately? Try a really bland diet for a day and see if anything changes- stuff he has had for a year without a problem. try skipping wheat, milk, chocolate, nuts, eggs. The big things that often trigger allergies. Sometimes allergies can be cumulative- in other words even if one thing wouldn't normally bother him, add one or more other "slightly" bothersome thing (even environmental stuff) and it could cause a reaction. My husband eats a banana daily, but if he also has coconut he is allergic to them both- or to either one in excess, or during peak grass season. Good luck! I would love to hear what happened if you have time...

hi J.,

My son has eczema too and when he was younger he had those lumps on the back of his neck. The eczema was/is directly related to his food allergies. As i learned what they were through allergy testing and diet elimination, his skin has cleared completely. My sons ped said the lump was his glands swelling from all the scratching. The steroid creams only mask the eczema problem. Try to get to the root of the source. Try eliminating some common allergens for a few weeks at a time to see if that is the culprit. i.e. dairy, soy, wheat, ect.

food intolerance! bring him to a naturopath, unfortunately pediatricians know little about this. creams and medications will only deal with the symptoms. look at his diet and start taking out the common offenders: wheat, dairy, sugar, soy. Inflamed lymph and eczema are both very common with a food intolerance. I would but that this is ultimately the cause but you should definitely take him to a naturopath to rule out anything else. good luck

I would consult with your pediatrician.

Hi - My son often has lumps on the lower part on the back of his head. These are glands and when he starts getting sick, he often rubs them as they appear to make him uncomfortable. However, he doesnt have the line of them like you said - but he does have the darker hair on his neck and upper back. Its always a safer idea to call the doctor for any lumps to have peace of mind - but Im sure it is just glands.
Best wishes,
J. P.

Hi J.
My friends son had great results with his very extreme eczema with reliv's Kids Now. A great tasting choc or vanilla shake when all other drugs and creams did nothing.
J. H