The preauricular lymph nodes don’t commonly swell, but when they do, it’s most often a sign of a local infection in your face ...

However, very occasionally, swollen lymph nodes can be a sign of inflammation deeper inside the body, or more rarely, a sign of cancer, but in this case they are usually much larger than a pea.

Signs and symptoms may include enlarged lymph nodes, fever, drenching sweats, unintended weight loss, itching, and constantly feeling tired. The enlarged lymph nodes are usually painless.

Maggie O’Neill is a health writer and reporter based in New York who specializes in covering medical research and emerging wellness trends, with a focus on cancer and addiction. Prior to her ...