Our 5 year daughter has a lump under chin, about the size of a marble. We only noticed this tonight. She suffers from Asthma and has been receiving ventolin and fluticasone inhalers for the last 3 days. This is the first time we have noticed such a lump.
We are Brits living in Taiwan and English speaking Doctors are hard to come by. Furthermore, this is the start of the Chinese New Year holiday and the clinics don't open again till Tuesday. Should we take her in to the emergency ward at the local hospital?
Reply: ----------------
The most common cause of an acute development of a lump in the neck in children or adults is related to an inflammatory swelling of a lymph node associated with an upper respiratory condition. This is a normal manifestation of the human body's natural defense mechanism. I have posted information regarding lymph node swelling in a previous post which may be found in the "review" section of the ENT clinic entitled "lymph nodes". In most instances, when upper respiratory conditions are present, the presence of an enlarged lymph node is not cause for immediate alarm. Very large lymph nodes (several centimeters) or lumps in the neck that are associated with increased difficulty breathing or swallowing warrant early consultation with a physician.
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Steve Dankle, MD
Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Milwaukee, Wis
NOTICE: OFCN is not engaged in the rendering of professional medical services. The information contained on this system or any other OFCN system should not supplant individual professional consultation. It is offered exclusively as a community education service. Advice on individual problems must be obtained directly from a professional.
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