Does a red/hot lymph node necessarily mean its infected? Or can it simply be a mechanical irritation?

Elaboration: 1.5yrs ago I got wisdom teeth removed. Right side kind of botched and hurt. Ignored it and the jaw pain went away but sometimes my right ear/throat would feel kind of irritated like an infection. So a couple nights ago I get the bright idea to brush the area really well. Now, the nerves were still sore and touching them caused the typical tingly nerve pain. I continue this for a couple nights and this morning I wake up with a red lump on my neck under my right ear. Is it just irritated reacting to the nerves being stimulated or did infection somehow spread to it? Should I see a doc?