How to Shrink Lymph Nodes in Children

How to Naturally Shrink Lymph Nodes in Children.

I first noticed my child's lymph nodes on her neck while I was bathing her. In my case, it was 2-3 inch lumps in her neck, the largest ones under her chin. I tried to stay rational and give it a few weeks to resolve on it's own, after all she was in kindergarten and had a cold a few weeks ago. When the lymph nodes persisted my mind went to all the worst case scenarios, and I felt it was time to see a doctor. I was surprised the doctors didn't have much to say and weren't offering any solutions.

As a parent I was frustrated that whenever I spoke to a doctor about my child’s large lymph nodes I was being brushed off and no one was validating my concerns. If you’re reading this blog, conventional medicine has in one way or another failed you. You either aren’t getting the answers or reassurance you need or you feel it’s time to take power into your own hands, and you believe that natural health modalities may be your path forward. This topic is so close to my heart that I could probably dedicate an entire site to it. I have learned so much and tried just about everything. Through trial and error I am ecstatic to report that I have figured out a routine that really works. I cannot wait to unload my knowledge and insight in hopes of helping readers in a similar situation. 

What are lymph nodes?

Let’s start with a little education because everyone will have a different level of understanding on what a lymph node is and their purpose. You may hear people use the word “glands” or “swollen glands” but in reality, a gland is something quite different. I encourage you to be comfortable with calling them by their real name, it will go a long way with having medical providers take you seriously if/when it comes time to seek conventional help. This advice goes for all body parts and medical terms not just lymph nodes.

Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped structures that exist all throughout the body, they play a vital part of the body's immune system, but they can swell in response to infections or other factors. If you want to know more about the lymphatic system and it's role in the immune system you can read my blog called What is the Lymphatic System? Most commonly the nodes located in the neck are discovered by parents, this is because they’re very close to the surface and very reactive to common cold and flu viruses or bacteria like the one that causes strep throat. Other areas where lymph nodes may be felt are the underarms and the groin, these nodes can swell for the same reasons as already mentioned or it may be due to an underlying systemic reason which we will get into later on.

In this blog post, we'll discuss how to naturally shrink lymph nodes in children and when to seek medical advice but the majority of this information applies to all ages. First lets briefly mention interventions that can be done at home when you first notice lymph nodes pop-up, the following methods are all that is likely needed if the lymph node enlargement is due to an acute illness caused by common viruses and bacteria. To be completely transparent, if the cause is acute, you could probably get away with doing absolutely nothing and the swelling will subside within 2-3 weeks.

Rest and Hydration

When a child's body is fighting off an infection or inflammation, it requires extra energy. Encourage your child to rest, as this allows their body to redirect energy toward healing. Proper hydration helps the lymphatic system function efficiently. Drinking water and clear fluids can assist in flushing out toxins and waste products, ultimately reducing lymph node swelling.

Warm Compress

Warm compresses can be a comforting and effective way to help reduce lymph node swelling. Gently apply a warm, damp cloth to the swollen area for 10-15 minutes at a time, a few times a day. The warmth can help improve blood circulation, reducing inflammation and promoting drainage of the lymph nodes. Be sure the compress is not too hot to avoid burning your child's skin.

Healthy Diet

A nutritious diet plays a significant role in supporting your child's immune system and overall health. Ensure your child gets a balanced intake of vitamins and minerals. Fruits and vegetables are the best way to go about this, incorporating cold smoothies helps when there is a sore throat. Avoid or reduce processed food, meat, dairy and sugar if possible, these are all pro-inflammatory foods and harder to digest thus depleting energy the body could otherwise be using to heal.

When to seek medical advice for persistently swollen lymph nodes?

Now lets discuss what you do when the lymph nodes just don’t seem to go away. If it’s been more than 2-3 weeks and you’re not seeing any reduction in size it’s time to seek medical advice, however do not stop there, let me repeat, DO NOT STOP THERE. Most medical professionals will still want to take a wait and see approach unless there is a family history of diseases related to the lymphatic system or systemic symptoms such as; unexplained weight loss, prolonged fever, night sweats, or changes in appetite.

Systemic symptoms can but not always point towards something rare like, blood cancers, auto-immune diseases, auto-inflammatory diseases or a hidden infectious disease. If your child has any of these symptoms or there is a family history and you’re still told to watch and wait, it’s time to put on your Mama Bear/Papa Bear hat and advocated for your child. At the very least, a complete blood count (CBC), and ultrasound of the lymph nodes in question can rule out some of the most worrisome outcomes. These are relatively non-invasive and can provide critical information along with peace of mind.

What are some natural remedies for swollen lymph nodes?

So your child doesn’t have systemic symptoms and there is no family history but the lymph node swelling is persistent. These persistently swollen lymph nodes can come with more vague symptoms that don’t quite fit into the category of being concerning for conventional medical professionals. I like to call these, subtle systemic symptoms, they point to a blockage or stagnation in the lymphatic or immune system that is preventing the body from eliminating toxins such as left over viral or bacterial material and excess fluid. These subtle systemic symptoms include more mild versions of all the traditional systemic symptoms as well as;

• Indigestion; frequent belly aches, lighter colored stools,

• Irritability (this is a big one!), emotional outbursts that are beyond what you would expect from your child.

• Low Energy; napping after school or not really wanting to do anything physically active

• Clinginess oftentimes brought on by irrational anxieties.

• Snoring can be very common if the lymph nodes are swollen in relation to problems with the tonsils or adenoids.

• Relentless Congestion or large tonsils and/or adenoids

• Puffiness in the face and/or generally throughout the body

• Frequent illness; your child catches every bug that comes their way, however other kids seem to only catch the odd one here and there.  

From a parent’s perspective these symptoms are worrisome, your child is not acting like themselves and you want them back in their best form both physically and mentally. But for a doctor, none of these symptoms are cause for serious alarm and so parents are often dismissed. If you’re like me you might bounce back and forth between numerous health professionals thinking that someone has the answers for you only to learn that is not the case.

The reality is there is no test to validate your concerns or measure the changes that you’re seeing in your child. Conventional medicine isn’t interested if it can’t be proven pathologically. This is where people start considering natural solutions and seeking the help from Naturopathic Doctors or other natural health practitioners. I went to naturopaths and homeopaths I even went a step further and took a Foundational Practitioner course on Homeopathy and let me tell you there is a whole lot that can be done.

Natural health practitioners look to treat the root cause and not just the symptoms. Through my experience, training and research I have come up with a plan that really works. Let me start with saying that any of the therapies that I’m about to mention can also be used in addition to conventional medicine even if diagnosed with an auto-immune or auto-inflammatory disease. You may wish to check with your medical doctor first but they’re generally safe, have no side effects and do not interact with any conventional medication. 

Lymphatic Drainage Massage

Lymphatic massage is a special type of massage that is used to stimulate movement within the lymphatic system. It is a proven method to reduce swelling in patients with lymphedema and swollen lymph nodes. Professional massage therapists are usually trained in this type of massage but unless you’re looking for a whole-body treatment then I highly recommend learning how to do small areas of the body yourself. Small areas would include the face and neck, underarms or groin, the massage itself takes about 5 minutes and is a great addition to any bedtime routine. The one thing I would say can make the biggest difference is the type of massage medium you use, hands down the best thing to use is organic cold pressed Castor Oil. One bottle will last you an entire year and it is so much more than just an oil, the therapeutic benefits of using castor oil are vast and substantial. After much trial and research I have come to recommend one specific brand of castor oil called Queen of Thrones Organic Golden Castor Oil, it is superior to it’s competitors and the cost is relatively the same. I have another post called How to Perform Lymphatic Drainage Massage, dedicated on how to effectively perform these massages, I go more in depth on the benefits of castor oil and provide visuals for the massages.

Rebounding

Rebounding is the act of continuous bouncing for 5-10 minutes a day to encourage lymphatic flow, this is usually done on a small trampoline called a rebounder. The same methodology as lymphatic massage comes into play with rebounding and what kid doesn’t like jumping on a trampoline…bonus! Depending on the size of your child you could get away with one of those small indoor trampolines likes this one here, but if your child is over the age of 6 or if you intend to reap some benefits for yourself as well, I would opt for a more traditional rebounder. You do not need the most expensive or fanciest model, something like this simple rebounder works great. Be sure to get one that has the bungee type attachments and avoid the ones with metal springs, the handle bar is best for children and elderly as well.

Supplements

There are some supplements that are just heads and tails above the rest when it comes to supporting your lymphatic system. I tried a lot of them with my child, even some marketed towards lymphatic health with no success. I decided to do some extensive research and with that I was able to pinpoint a few that ultimately were game changers for us. The first one is a homeopathic remedy called Baryta Carbonica 30c and 200ck; this remedy is indicated for someone who is timid, may have large “kissing” tonsils, large swollen lymph nodes in the neck, back of head or groin. I used the 200ck 3x a day for one week, after one week I switched to 30c 3x a day for two weeks and then 1x a day for two more weeks. If after one week you’re not seeing any reduction, then another homeopathic remedy may be better indicated such as Hepar Sulph.

The second supplement was recommended to me by our Naturopathic Doctor, it’s called NDF Immune and it works wonders. NDF Immune is an herbal supplement given daily in drops that can be added to smoothies or your child’s favorite drink. I actually have the entire children’s line and use their products regularly; they have made such a difference in our lives. The thing I love most about their products is that they all contain Micronized Chlorella which is a natural detoxifier for heavy metals, dioxins and PCBs, it cleans out our blood, lymph, liver and intestines, this is crucial to initiate any healing.

Where is the evidence?

Well within a week of implementing this routine of lymphatic massage, rebounding and these supplements my child’s lymph nodes started to shrink dramatically. After an entire year with Zero, with a capital "Z", improvement we were finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Within a month the puffiness disappeared, she stopped catching every little bug and her anxiety improved dramatically. Now the only symptoms to remain is some slight anxiety in new social situations. However I'm more inclined to relate this to her personality then to any previous health issues she's had. I will say, if she does happen to develop a runny nose or cough, her lymph nodes which were previously large are the first to swell, but within a few days they return to normal, as they should. I'm confident that she no longer has any blockage or stagnation in her lymphatic or immune system. Her little body is identifying, destroying and eliminating these bugs quickly and efficiently. But please, don’t just take my word for it because I am all about the evidence. Down below are some links to published medical studies and articles written by doctors to support the use of these products and methods.

Conclusion

Now you know that enlarged lymph nodes in children are typically a natural response to common infections. But as parents, our primary concern is the well-being of our children. Knowing when and how to intervene to support their lymphatic system, we can provide them with the care and comfort they need to get back to optimal health.

Chelating (metal detoxifying) effect of Chlorella
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33582954/
Lymphatic Drainage Massage
https://www.amtamassage.org/publications/massage-therapy-journal/research-update-lymph-drainage/

Homeopathy For Swollen Lymph nodes
https://www.drhomeo.com/homeopathic-treatment/swollen-lymph-nodes-treatment-in-homeopathy-causes-and-concerns/

Rebounding for Health
https://liebellclinic.com/rebounding%2Ftrampoline-1

Cover Photo: Image by KamranAydinov on Freepik

Lymphatic Diagram: Image by brgfx on Freepik

Rebounding: Image by senivpetro on Freepik