The area around your jaw has multiple sets of glands and nodes that can swell painfully in response to illness or injury. Anything from a virus like a cold or the mumps to cysts, salivary gland stones and sometimes cancer can cause this, so there's no question you should see your doctor when a gland or node first starts to act up. In cases where a virus is causing the problem, you might have to just wait it out. If the gland or node is painful, though, you may be able to alleviate it with simple remedies.
Step 1
Dampen a clean washcloth with warm water, squeeze out the excess and lightly hold the cloth against the lump. The University of Michigan Health System recommends leaving it there for up to half an hour at a time, no more than four times per day.
Step 2
Do not touch the lump other than when you use the washcloth. Keep all clothing off it, too, to prevent extra irritation that can exacerbate the pain.
Step 3
Take over-the-counter pain relievers if your doctor approves. Pain relievers have different effects and restrictions, and what is OK for one person might not be OK for you, so read and follow the instructions and warnings on the product label.
Things You'll Need
- Clean washcloth
- Warm water
- Pain reliever
