Whats Normal | Swollen Lymph Nodes

Continuing our series of what's normal during piercing healing, let's talk about swelling! But not just normal piercing swelling, or even over-swelling (which we talk about here). Today, I’d like to talk about swollen lymph nodes. Lymph nodes are small bean-shaped organs that are part of our lymphatic system. They filter lymph and remove harmful substances like bacteria, viruses, and cancer cells from our system. Lymph nodes can become swollen when they are working to fight off infection or other underlying medical causes. If you’ve ever had a bad cold and felt those swollen, tender lumps on either side of your jaw, this is a swollen lymph node.

Sometimes, after a piercing, our lymph nodes can swell. This can be alarming to many clients, as we often associate swollen lymph nodes with infection or being otherwise sick. However, there are other reasons they may swell after a piercing.

Trauma is the primary one; lymph nodes can swell due to trauma or surgery in the area. When you get a new piercing, most commonly ear piercings, this can absolutely cause your lymph nodes to swell in response to that trauma. This doesn’t mean there's an infection present, rather that your lymphatic system is reacting to the fact you have a wound in a near by spot. (This can also happen with tattoos; the swollen lymph nodes in my armpit after I got my upper inner bicep tattooed were awful and so uncomfortable!) This is a very normal bodily response, and not something to be stressed about.

For some, this is simply how their body responds. Clients with certain autoimmune conditions, including lupus, arthritis, diabetes, Crohn’s, Psoriasis, etc may be more likely to have a stronger lymphatic response to injury. This means a greater likelihood that your lymph nodes swell post-piercing. I have some clients with autoimmune conditions whose lymph nodes swell every single time they get pierced or tattooed or even blood drawn- no matter the location, size, etc. That’s just how their body responds to an injury or a wound. And that’s normal for them!

And, yes, lymph nodes can swell in response to infection. If your piercing is genuinely infected, you will likely experience some swollen lymph nodes as your body is trying to fight off the infection.

If you have some swollen lymph nodes post-piercing, it’s not an immediate cause for panic. Check in with yourself- how does your piercing look and feel? Is there an excessive amount of swelling, a lot of discharge, and other symptoms of infection? If there is, please follow up with your piercer or a medical professional. If there isn’t and the piercing appears to be responding as normal for a fresh piercing, it still doesn’t hurt to follow up with your piercer. But it’s very likely your lymph node is simply swelling in response to the trauma of the piercing- and not an infection or something more serious.

Happy healing! <3