My 5 year old son had his wellness checkup Wednesday afternoon and received 2 vaccines, DTaP and Polio injection, one in each arm. I don't know what vaccine went in which arm but here, 4 days later, my son has a large red welt on his arm that hurts. He doesn't seem to have any other problems resulting from the vaccine other that at the localized site. I didn't think anything of it the day after his appointment when I noticed the welt because I know that this can happen with certain vaccines. But it STILL has not looked any better and is just as sore and red as the day it appeared. Unfortunately since it is Sunday, the doctors office is closed so I will call in the morning but it is bothering me enough that I wanted to reach out to other moms to see if this has happened to anyone else's child.
Try giving him some Benedryl.
If it clears up: allergy you'll need to inform the doctors of.
ALSO... Draw along the edge of the welt with a Sharpie (so you can see if its growing, receding, or holding steady.
May be an allergy, may be a mild infection, may be something else. But knowing what its doing is key.
T.,
Last year, my son had his dTap (leg) and boy, that thing swelled up and was red for a few days. Then, for another few days, his thigh remained swollen. I actually measured it, at least a whole inch bigger in circumference than the other.
What the pediatrician told me was that sometimes, when the muscle is tense during the injection, that this sort of swelling happens. Did the ped give you a fact sheet on the dTap, or did you look it up on the CDC website? There are things to watch for with any vaccine, however,my guess is that unless there were other profound symptoms, this is to do more with the tissue/muscle reacting to the injection than the serum itself.
For what it's worth, when he had his most recent dTap, he was a bit more relaxed and we had NO swelling or side effects/reactions. So, note it to the pediatrician and please don't worry too much. That welt really freaked me out at first; it did clear up in about two weeks. And you can give him motrin if he has that 'punched in the arm' feeling. They also suggested using a warm washcloth on the area and gently massaging the muscle, too.
Hang it there. It's scary when we don't expect it, huh?
My mom had swelling when she got the whooping cough vaccine (is that the dtap?) and they said to come in to see if there's an infection. She went in and yes there was an infection and she had to take antibiotics. Is it hot to the touch? I would call the in call nurse if possible. I had the polio vaccine by accident last yeAr (instead if a flu shot. Doh!) and I didn't get any swelling. Fyi
Which arm? I always get shots in my right arm because I am right handed. I am forced to move the sore arm which makes the injection site less of an issue. I have had the most uncomfortable reactions in my left arm, which I unintentionally use even less when it hurts, just making the problem last longer. Check the vaccination info you hopefully got from the office and do whatever it says...hot or cold compress probably, along with ibuprofen.
Take him in tomorrow and ask the doctor if it's infected. If it is, he will need antibiotics. If it just needs to be massaged, they'll tell you that. Is this the 3rd DTaP? If it is, he won't need another one (tetanus/pertussis booster) for a long time. By then, it probably won't bother him as much. I don't think there's another polio shot (in case it's that one - the doctor has this in his or her notes and you should find out which shot caused it). Of course, if you go overseas later, you should find out if you need a polio booster, according to where you travel...
Dawn
I would call the advice nurse but it sounds like an allergic reaction since it has been so long. My guess is the pertussis in the TDaP. My nephew was allergic to it and did the same thing, so he can't have that vaccine anymore. Really,call the doc tomorrow or the nurse tonight. I LOVE advice nurses!!!
Whenever a vaccine is given, at least at my kids' Doctor, they give you an FAQ sheet about it. On it is every info about the vaccine and any reactions info etc.
Did you get this?
If not, to ease your mind, call your Pediatrician.
It doesn't matter what day or time it is, Doctors can be reached by the physician's exchange etc.
Hi mama,
I'm am not,a doc but I can tell you this same thing happened with my son at that age. He got a huge , swollen welp that had heat in it (no fever but warm on the site). I was told it is normal and to apply cool compresses to the site. They said it does not go in to the muscle, but under the skin therefore needs to be rubbed in. I still think he had some sort r reaction to it as when he was 1, he broke out in a grainy rash and had a high temp a week after the same shots. He is now 16 and just fine! My daughter had the same shots in August and has never had that kind of reaction.
For what it's worth, going forward you might want to ask that shots be given in your son's thigh. Our pediatrician's nurse told us she always uses the thigh because the larger muscle there helps to minimize discomfort. My girls have had the occasional welt & swelling your son experienced but never for long. Might be worth a try next time.
I would gently massage the site of the vaccine to help distribute the medicine more quickly. It will help ease any soreness in his arm. I would call the doctor that's on-call and get their advice before giving him anything.
