Intermittent Swollen gland (below the jaw)

Hi, I have similar problem as you have and I've been suffering from it for 20 years. Up until now still searching for something to perhaps help it stop if not reverse it without taking pills. It's an allergic reaction. My doctor has prescribed me antihistamines too (Loratadine, Razene, etc) - that I have to take every morning as my allergic reaction usually starts as soon as I wake up (I think has something to do with what I ate the day/night before). I really get what you mean when you said that you feel like dipping a stick into your throat to scratch.. as mine is really bad too. Itchiness starts at the corners of my mouth, inside my ears would really ITCH and underneath the tongue - where the swelling would start on both glands underneath the chin (really embarrasing as it would look like I have a golf ball on either sides). The worst times were when it would aggravate to an Anaphylactic shock were it happened many times before and one time when I was 8 months pregnant and I was injected with an adrenalin which I really hate) - my air passages blocked and unable to breath, swelling of the entire face, eyes would close because of swelling, some sort of diarrhoea, etc. From my experience, my triggers are mostly food and the number 1 culprit is coffee (doesn't matter if brewed or instant), chocolate, strawberry, kiwifruits, pineapple, tomatoes, and perhaps lots of other things that I may not yet realise. Although my reaction is not immediate but the next day would really be severe - embarrassing bloating of the face and lots of itchiness. I would most likely to have allergic reaction that's worse whenever I'm stressed out, exhausted or unable to have a restful sleep. Whenever I'm exhausted, I noticed that the reaction was almost instantaneous and severe that I didn't have the time to assess what I had. I think it would help you to go to an allergist for a skin test so you'll know your triggers and would help a lot if you avoid them.

This was very informative. Much of symtoms you described I have experienced. Because of you I now feel it reacts to something I ate like acid and sometimes salt. In any case I will pay more attention so I can actually pinpoint the reason. Thanks!

This is interesting I am also suffering similar symptoms. Over the last few years I have been seeing an ENT specialist regarding asthma and nasal polyps. I have had an operation to remove polyp growth and been prescribed nasal steroids and symbicort inhalersl I have found little improvement but recently deduced that my symptoms are caused by certain food stuffs. Despite regulating my diet I am still unsure of the triggers . I was sure that white bread caused itchyness and the enlargement of glands under jaw with an uncomfortable burning sensation . However brown bread seems to be ok. I went a week without any wheat additives and appeared to be fine and then symptoms returned . If I was able to identify the cause I would not require medication. My specialist has not explored this explanation and seems set on prescribing steroids indefinitely. Skin prick tests did not reveal any specific allogen.
I am concerned that the increasing severity of the reaction , with symptoms that can last all day may cause my airwaves to close. I am interested in any advise that maybe out there.