A tender lump at the side of the neck or under the chin after a cold may be a swollen gland. The NHS says swollen glands are usually a sign the body is fighting an infection, and if so they usually get better by themselves within 1 to 2 weeks. At home, rest, drink plenty of fluids and take paracetamol or ibuprofen. See a GP if they’re getting bigger or haven’t gone down within 1 week, feel hard or don’t move when pressed, you have night sweats, or there are no other signs of infection; ask for an urgent GP appointment or use 111 if it’s very difficult to swallow or breathe. This sets out the NHS page “Swollen glands”.
1. Usually a sign the body is fighting an infection. If so, they usually get better within 1 to 2 weeks.
2. Rest, plenty of fluids, paracetamol or ibuprofen — no aspirin for children under 16.
3. Bigger or not down within 1 week, hard and fixed, night sweats, or no signs of infection: GP. Very hard to swallow or breathe: urgent help.
What they feel like — NHS
The NHS says swollen glands feel like tender, painful lumps on each side of the neck, under the chin, in the armpits and around the groin. Sometimes only one side swells.
Why they swell — NHS
| How common | Causes the NHS lists | Worth noting (ours) |
|---|---|---|
| Often | Common illnesses like colds, tonsillitis and ear or throat infections | See tonsillitis and sore throat |
| Sometimes | Viral infections such as glandular fever | — |
| Rarely | Something more serious, like leukaemia or lymphoma | The NHS says rarely, and not to self-diagnose |
The NHS says don’t self-diagnose; see a GP if you’re worried.
At home — NHS
| Type | What the NHS says | Worth noting (ours) |
|---|---|---|
| Do | Rest | — |
| Do | Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration | — |
| Do | Painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen | Choosing one: OTC medicine by symptom |
| Don’t | Give aspirin to children under 16 | — |
Choosing a painkiller is in OTC medicine by symptom.
When to get help — NHS
| If | Where | Worth noting (ours) |
|---|---|---|
| They’re getting bigger or haven’t gone down within 1 week | GP | A separate line from the 1 to 2 weeks for infection |
| They feel hard or don’t move when you press them | GP | — |
| Night sweats or a very high temperature (hot, cold or shivery) | GP | — |
| No other signs of illness or infection | GP | — |
| Swollen glands just above or below your collarbone | GP | — |
| Swollen glands and it’s very difficult to swallow or breathe | Urgent GP or 111 | In Korea, same-day care or A&E (our gloss) |
A GP can recommend treatment depending on the cause, which might include antibiotics, but antibiotics don’t work on viral infections. This page has no 999 list.
Checklist
- ☐ After a cold or throat infection, give it 1 to 2 weeks
- ☐ Rest, fluids, paracetamol or ibuprofen
- ☐ Not down after 1 week, or getting bigger: GP
- ☐ Hard and fixed, night sweats, no infection signs, or near the collarbone: GP
- ☐ Very hard to swallow or breathe: urgent help
The NHS lists viral infections such as glandular fever as a cause of swollen glands; we’ve set that out separately (glandular fever).
Questions that remain
It says 1 to 2 weeks — but see a GP after 1 week?
The NHS says infection-related swelling usually goes within 1 to 2 weeks, and separately says see a GP if they’re getting bigger or haven’t gone down within 1 week. We carry both figures as written.
I’m worried it’s cancer.
The NHS says more serious causes are rare, and not to self-diagnose — see a GP if you’re worried.
Sources
- NHS — Swollen glands — source (page shows: reviewed 29 September 2023, next review 29 September 2026 — the review date has passed and we quote the page as shown; checked 19 October 2026). Location, 1 to 2 weeks, 3 levels of cause, 3 dos and 1 don’t, 5 GP and 1 urgent reason, treatment.
- Not read. Korean agency guidance on swollen glands.
- What we added. The “worth noting” column and the Korean care gloss.
Where else to check
- Your GP or an ENT clinic — if they haven’t gone down after 1 week.
Written on 19 October 2026. The content is from the NHS; the glosses are ours.
