The most common reasons your lymph nodes swell are:įor example, when you have cold symptoms, you may notice swollen glands in your neck. Reasons for Swollen or Painful Lymph Nodes in the Neck People may also notice swollen glands in the armpit or groin, at the spot where the thigh meets the tummy. Swollen neck glands may or may not feel painful or tender. Usually, the swollen lymph nodes move when pushed. In the neck, there are lymph nodes just under the jawbone, and in the back of the neck. Rarely, you may also notice redness as well. You may even be able to see a swollen lymph node. The lump may feel like the size of a pea - or bigger. But when they’re swollen, you will feel one or more lumps. You usually can’t feel the glands in your neck. What Do Swollen Lymph Nodes in the Neck Feel Like? But in very rare cases, swollen lymph nodes in the neck can signal a serious problem. It just means your immune system is doing its job. If you notice swollen or painful lymph nodes in your neck, it is usually not a cause for concern. Also, lymph nodes in the neck are closer to the surface of the skin than most lymph nodes in the body. But people most often notice swollen lymph nodes in the neck because it’s an area they touch often. There are hundreds of lymph nodes in the body, including in the armpits, chest, abdomen, and groin. This is why, if you’re fighting an infection, your lymph nodes might swell up. The lymph nodes also trap the immune cells, because the nodes are where the immune cells do most of their work. The lymph nodes trap viruses and bacteria in the lymph fluid as it travels through the body. Lymph fluid consists of infection-fighting immune cells and clear-to-white fluid that drains from tissues throughout the body. The lymph system is a key part of the immune system.