Lymph nodes are organs of the lymphatic system that are located in the most important areas of the flow of blood vessels.
They play a peculiar role of natural filters, because of which pathogenic microbes cannot penetrate the body.
Consider in more detail the symptoms of inflammation of the lymph nodes in the groin and the methods of treatment for this part of the human immune system.
Inflammation of the lymph nodes in the groin: the main causes
Inflammation of the lymph nodes in the groin is provoked by the following reasons:
1. The development of various oncological pathologies is one of the most common causes of inflammation of the lymph nodes in the inguinal zone of a person. Moreover, this symptom will indicate the progression of the tumor and its active spread in the patient's body.
2. The defeat of bacterial infections. In most cases, these infections are:
• staphylococcus;
• streptococcus;
• inflammation after cat scratches;
• active form of tuberculosis.
3. Earlier injuries in the groin area.
4. Affection of the body with fungal infections.
5. Rejection of artificial implants by the body (most often this happens with endoprosthetics and replacing the hip joint with a metal analogue of the bone).
6. HIV infection.
7. Various sexually transmitted diseases (syphilis, gonorrhea, etc.).
8. Hernia.
9. Various pathologies of the reproductive system in women and men (prostatitis).
10. Vaginal candidiasis in women.
11. Measles.
12. Rubella.
13. Various pathologies of the kidneys.
14. Inflammation of the lymph nodes in the groin due to previous surgery in the pelvis.
15. Ureplasmosis.
Inflammation of the lymph nodes in the groin: symptoms and manifestations
Inflammation of the lymph nodes in the groin is usually accompanied by the appearance of the following symptoms in a patient:
1. Visible redness of the skin in the area of inflammation.
2. An increase in body temperature.
3. Ailment.
4. Great weakness.
5. Headaches.
6. Deterioration of the patient’s well-being.
7. Chills.
8. Compaction of tissues at the site of inflammation (noticeable by palpation).
9. The appearance of severe pain in the groin area that occurs when walking or changing body position. The nature of the pain: aching, sharp, pulling.
10. Weight loss.
11. Hyperemia.
12. Increased blood pressure.
13. Ailment.
14. Loss of appetite.
15. Change in clinical indicators (an increase in the number of leukocytes indicates the presence of inflammation in the body).
16. Pain in the lower abdomen.
17. Sleep disturbance.
In addition to the main signs of pathology, lymphadenitis also has such features of the course, depending on the cause that caused it:
1. If the disease provoked a sexually transmitted disease, then the lymph nodes in the groin do not immediately increase. They can simply cause discomfort for a long time and sometimes hurt. As a rule, severe inflammation is observed even when the root cause of the disease has already acquired a chronic form and began to progress in the body.
2. With oncological pathologies, the lymph nodes for a long time can simply be enlarged, but not cause pain at all. Malaise and pain will occur in the later stages of the tumor.
3. If the lymph nodes are affected by a purulent infection, then if untreated, pus will begin to leak into the muscles of the thighs. At the same time, the general condition of the patient worsens sharply: he will have a fever, fever and blood poisoning will begin. This condition requires immediate medical and surgical treatment.
4. In case of a defeat by strong bacteriological diseases, the patient can not only inflame the lymph nodes in the groin, but also increase the lymph nodes in the neck and armpit area.
Inflammation of the lymph nodes in the groin: diagnosis and treatment
Diagnosis of lymph node inflammation should begin with an initial examination of the patient. The doctor should question the person in detail about his general state of health, the presence of chronic diseases and previous pathologies. Also, the doctor should inquire with the patient's history and symptoms.
After this, you should palpate the area of the lymph nodes in the groin. Normally, they should be painless, soft, and the size of a small pea. If the lymph nodes are compacted, swollen or painful when pressed, then in this case the following tests are prescribed to the person:
1. General blood test.
2. General urine analysis.
3. Advanced biochemical blood test.
4. Ultrasound of the lymph nodes and abdominal cavity.
5. MRI of the abdominal cavity.
6. If tuberculosis is suspected, chest x-ray may be prescribed.
7. If a cancer is suspected, a lymph node biopsy may be prescribed. It involves taking a small piece of the knot for further research. The procedure is painful, but it is always performed using local or general anesthesia.
Treatment is selected for each patient individually, depending on the results of the tests, symptoms and the cause that caused inflammation of the lymph nodes in the groin.
Features of the treatment of inflammation of the lymph nodes in the groin
The traditional treatment of this condition involves the use of medical, surgical and physiotherapeutic therapy.
Immediately after a diagnosis is established, the following medications are prescribed to the patient:
1. Broad-spectrum antibiotics are used for bacterial damage to the body. Their action will be aimed at suppressing the activity of the infection, which caused inflammation. Most often, for this purpose, such drugs are prescribed:
• Ampicillin;
• Ampioks.
The duration of antibiotic treatment should be from seven to fourteen days. The dosage and frequency of admission is selected by the attending physician for each patient individually (depending on the age and weight of the patient).
2. With a fungal infection of the body, a person is prescribed local ointments and oral tablets with an antifungal effect. The most effective drugs in this group are Fluconazole and Ketonazole. They can also be taken simultaneously with antibiotics.
3. Ointments with a pronounced antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory therapeutic effect can be used together with antibiotic treatment. Apply them with a thin layer on the inflamed lymph nodes. A sterile bandage dressing can be applied on top.
The most effective ointments of this orientation are Levomekol ointment and Vishnevsky ointment. The duration of treatment with them should be from five to ten days.
It is important to know, that the above ointments can cause an allergic reaction, so before using them, you should definitely conduct an allergy test.
4. Antipyretic drugs are used at elevated temperatures.
5. Pain medications are prescribed for severe pain in the patient.
After drug treatment with a favorable course of the disease, physiotherapy is prescribed. Usually, electrophoresis with antibiotics is used.
It is important to know, that physiotherapy can be used only with the initial course of the disease. If the patient's condition is started (he developed suppuration), then these procedures are contraindicated.
Surgical treatment is prescribed in the absence of a positive effect of drug therapy. In this case, the doctor in the area of the lymph nodes will make an incision, and install a drainage there to pump out pus. In this condition, the duration of treatment will be longer.
In order to prevent the development of inflammation of the lymph nodes in the groin, the following doctor's advice should be followed:
1. Avoid hypothermia.
2. In time to treat those diseases that can cause lymphadenitis.
3. Thoroughly treat even small wounds in the groin area through which infection can get.
4. If you experience the first unpleasant symptoms, consult a doctor immediately and carry out a diagnosis.
5. Carefully select sexual partners and have a secure sexual relationship in order to protect themselves from entering a venereal disease.
Subject to the above recommendations, you can significantly reduce the risk of developing this pathology.
The prognosis of lymphadenitis in the groin with timely treatment is favorable. After ten days of therapy, in most cases, patients have visible improvements. After another week, a person can return to normal life.
The opposite prognosis for lymphadenitis in advanced cases. In this condition, a person will be more prone to dangerous complications. In addition, his course of treatment will be much longer and harder. Rehabilitation is protracted.
