“I have swollen lymph nodes in the collarbone and neck area,” one MyPsoriasisTeam member wrote. “Can these be caused by the body reacting to my psoriasis?”

Lymph nodes are small, circular or bean-shaped organs that play an important role in the immune system. Sometimes, if your body is trying to fight off an illness or infection, your lymph nodes might swell. This swelling can be especially worrying for people with psoriasis.

If you’re wondering about a possible link between psoriasis and swollen lymph nodes, here’s what the research says.

What Are Lymph Nodes?

Lymph nodes are part of the lymphatic system — a complex network of tissues, vessels, and organs that help clean out germs and waste from the body’s lymphatic fluid. There are about 600 lymph nodes located throughout different parts of the body. The lymph nodes that people usually feel are:

• On both sides of the neck
• Under the jaw
• In the armpits
• Around the groin

Swollen lymph nodes (also called lymphadenopathy) happen during your body’s normal response to an infection or illness. There are two types of lymphadenopathy — localized and generalized. Localized lymphadenopathy is most common and usually develops close to the site of the infection. Generalized lymphadenopathy involves two or more groups of lymph nodes and is usually caused by an illness that affects the whole body.

Lymph nodes are made up of white blood cells called lymphocytes. An illness or infection can raise the number of lymphocytes in the lymph node and cause swelling and inflammation. When lymph nodes are swollen, you may notice tenderness or pain in that area, although they can also be painless.

Can Psoriasis Cause Your Lymph Nodes to Swell?

There’s not a lot of research that focuses on psoriasis and swollen lymph nodes. However, several causes of swollen lymph nodes could be related to psoriasis and its treatment options. In general, swollen lymph nodes in people with psoriasis usually happen because the body is fighting off an infection, has a lot of inflammation, or is reacting to strong medicines, not because of the psoriasis itself.

Erythrodermic Psoriasis

A rare complication of psoriasis, erythrodermic psoriasis, can cause swollen lymph nodes. Erythrodermic psoriasis can be life-threatening, potentially resulting in severe complications such as sepsis (a widespread infection in the bloodstream), electrolyte imbalances, or heart failure. If you’re having swollen lymph nodes in addition to a whole-body rash, fever, chills, or exhaustion, you should seek immediate medical attention.

You’re more likely to develop this complication if:

• Your plaque psoriasis symptoms aren’t well managed.
• You suddenly stop your psoriasis treatments.
• You overuse specific medications like topical steroids or retinoids.

This complication is pretty uncommon. It occurs in about 3 percent of people who have psoriasis. If your only symptom is swollen lymph nodes, the cause is likely something else.

Infection

Infection — the most common cause of swollen lymph nodes — often comes with symptoms like fever, chills, and fatigue. These symptoms can be signs that your immune system is actively working to fight off a virus, bacteria, or other invader.

People with psoriasis may face a higher risk of infections for several reasons. First, psoriasis affects the immune system, which means your body may not fight off infections the way it should. Second, biologics — medications made from living cells — used for the treatment of psoriasis may also raise that risk by suppressing parts of the immune system to control inflammation.

Even mild illnesses like the common cold can cause both a psoriasis flare-up and swollen lymph nodes at the same time. In other cases, parasitic, fungal, or bacterial infections might trigger a stronger immune response that leads to lymph node swelling.

Autoimmune Disease

Autoimmune diseases cause the body to attack its healthy tissues, resulting in inflammation. Autoimmune disease can cause lymph node swelling in two ways — by increasing widespread inflammation and by raising your risk of other infections.

Because psoriasis is an autoimmune disease, it can lead to swollen lymph nodes by causing inflammation and increasing your risk of infection.

Other autoimmune diseases shown to cause swollen lymph nodes include:

• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Scleroderma
• Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
• Sarcoidosis
• Sjögren’s syndrome

Symptoms that may occur with swollen lymph nodes due to autoimmune disease include muscle pain, muscle weakness, and rash.

Cancer

Several types of cancer can cause swollen lymph nodes, such as:

• Leukemia
• Hodgkin lymphoma
• Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
• Other cancers that have spread to the lymph nodes

People living with psoriasis have a significantly higher risk of developing lymphoma. Specifically, the risk of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma — a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma — is particularly high. The risk of lymphoma doesn’t seem to be as high with psoriatic arthritis (PsA), however. A 2020 study reported that PsA was not linked to increased lymphoma risk. Also, studies show that the use of phototherapy to treat psoriasis can increase the risk of skin cancer, which could spread to lymph nodes.

Symptoms that may occur with swollen lymph nodes due to cancer include:

• Fever
• Night sweats
• Unexplained weight loss

Medication

Lymph nodes can become swollen as a side effect of medication. Medications used to treat psoriasis may cause swollen lymph nodes by raising the risk of infection or cancers such as lymphoma. High doses of methotrexate (Trexall) have been linked to an increased risk of developing lymphoma.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) inhibitors can decrease your ability to fight infections, leading to swollen lymph nodes. However, while some recent studies haven’t found a clear link between these medicines and a higher risk of lymphoma, results are still mixed, so doctors continue to watch closely.

In addition, vaccines can cause temporary lymph node swelling near the site of the vaccination.

How Can You Check for Swollen Lymph Nodes?

Lymph nodes are located symmetrically on both sides of the body, meaning they’re in the same spots on the left and right sides. You can check your lymph nodes by gently feeling the area, moving your fingertips in a circular motion. An enlarged lymph node may feel firm and about the size of a grape or pea.

What Should You Do if You Notice Swollen Lymph Nodes?

Swollen lymph nodes usually go back to normal when the underlying cause, such as an infection, gets better.

When to Seek Medical Care

Seek medical advice from a healthcare professional if:

• You don’t know the cause of the swelling.
• The swelling doesn’t go down after two weeks.
• You’re also experiencing a fever that doesn’t go away, night sweats, and unexplained weight loss.

Your healthcare provider can do a physical exam to diagnose swollen lymph nodes and determine the cause. They may want to take a lymph node tissue sample (biopsy) to look at under a microscope. This will help them determine the cause and treatment.

Treating Swollen Lymph Nodes

You may be able to reduce the symptoms of swollen lymph nodes by:

• Drinking plenty of water
• Getting rest
• Taking acetaminophen (Tylenol) to help with pain
• Applying a warm compress

If you’re concerned about whether your lymph node swelling might be related to psoriasis, talk with your dermatologist. Your dermatology provider can evaluate your situation and ensure that you’re on the right treatment program to ease your symptoms.

Talk With Others Who Understand

On MyPsoriasisTeam, the social network for people with psoriasis and their loved ones, more than 134,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with psoriasis.

Are you living with psoriasis? Have you ever noticed swollen lymph nodes? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.