Occipital Lymph Nodes

The occipital lymph nodes are located on the back of the neck near the skull. Lymph nodes are part of the lymph system and they filter debris and destroy harmful organisms in the lymph. The occipital lymph nodes are only about 3 of the hundreds of lymph nodes in the body working together in an intricate balance with other systems on the body. Each type of lymph node has a specific purpose depending on where it is located on the body. The occipital lymph nodes purpose is to drain lymph from the scalp and nearby areas. When they swell it can be a sign of infection of the scalp or nearby area.

Occipital Lymph Node Location

The occipital lymph nodes are located at the back of the neck near where the neck and head connect. There are up to three lymph nodes in this location. They are found near the muscles between the head and neck. They will swell when they are overwhelmed with debris drained from the scalp. Cancer is very rarely spread to other parts of the body from these lymph nodes even though cancer may metastasize to these nodes. Metastasis is when the cells move from the original location to a new and distant location on the body.

Unhealthy Occipital Lymph Nodes

Swelling is one of the signs that the lymph nodes are doing their job of cleaning and filtering lymph. Most of the time, the lymph nodes will swell and return to normal within in a couple weeks. Signs that you should see a healthcare professional about swollen occipital lymph nodes:

  • Stay swollen for a month
  • Grow to an inch or more
  • Continue to grow
  • Accompanied by an intermittent fever
  • There are night sweats

If you just don’t feel right about the swollen occipital lymph nodes, you should follow your instincts and get them checked. If you are not happy with treatment or the diagnosis, get a second opinion.

Causes of Occipital Lymph Node Swelling

It is rare that these lymph nodes swell because of cancer. More commonly the lymph nodes in this area of the neck will swell due to the following conditions on the scalp:

  • Infection
  • Bug bite
  • Infected abrasion, cut, or puncture
  • Fungal infection
  • Ringworm
  • Lice
  • Dandruff

Occasionally the occipital lymph nodes will swell due to ear infections, throat infections, and rubella.

Treating Occipital Lymph Node Swelling

To treat occipital lymph node swelling, the cause will need to be determined. Infections are often treated with antibiotics. If the infection doesn’t respond to antibiotic treatment, it may be a MRSA infection and further testing will need to be done to determine the most effective treatment. Anti-fungal creams and treatments will be used to treat funguses. The scalp will need to be treated for lice or ringworm when that is the cause of the swollen lymph nodes. In the rare event that cancer is the cause of the swelling, the origin of the cancer will need to be found and treated along with removal of the affected lymph nodes.

Only a doctor can diagnose the cause of swollen occipital lymph nodes, but commonly it is a sign of a curable infection of the scalp.

Swollen Lymph Node

Info on Swollen Lymph Node.