How to check lymph nodes for swelling
You can know if your lymph nodes are swollen by gently pressing around the location, such as the side of the neck.
Swollen lymph nodes will feel like soft, round bumps, and they may be as big as a pea or a grape. They might be tender to the touch, which shows inflammation. In most cases, the lymph nodes will also look bigger than normal.
Lymph nodes are seen in parallel on both sides of the body. You can check the nodes on both sides of the body and compare them to see if one is bigger than the other, which is likely to indicate swelling. In most cases, people with swollen glands also feel pain while making sudden or strained movements. Such movements include suddenly turning the neck, bobbing the head, or eating foods that are difficult to chew.
Swollen lymph nodes can occur as a symptom of a medical condition. These vary depending on the existing disease that may include a sore throat, cough, or flu-like symptoms.