Daughters arm after shot swollen red and hot to touch?

Question

My 5 year old daughter got a shot a little below her shoulder and now the spot where the shot took place at is red, hot and swollen what should I do is this normal?She had three shots for school and only that one swelled up.

Answer 1

give it 3 days..if it hasn't gotten better, go back to the doc.

Answer 2

My 5yr old just got the same thing. He had 4 shots for kindergarten and his arm is swollen from the shoulder to the elbow. It's red and itchy also. I am waiting for the doctor to call........

Answer 3

Call your doc.  It depends on what the shot was for, and what it was made from. She may be having an allergic reaction.   In the meantime, put ice packs on it to make her more comfortable.

Answer 4

It could be the tetanus shot, that happens to me also.  I get a hard lump which is red, swollen and really itchy.  It will go away in a few days, but be careful dressing her as it is quite painful even to have a sleeve on it.

If it doesn't improve, contact your doctor.

Answer 5

Go to the doctor.  It is a bad reaction to the shot.

Answer 6

This is usually perfectly normal, some people's bodies don't react well to a certain shot.  However, as long as she's not having any trouble breathing, dizzy, incoherent,  or swollen anywhere else, etc it's not an allergic reaction so there's nothing to worry about.  Remember, the vaccines are injections of an illness or disease (modified so that they can't attack her body, of course) so a tiny bit of swelling is normal (the heat you feel generally comes with the swelling.)  For some vaccines, people even run a small fever and feel tired in addition to the swelling.  None of this is a problem - but if you're going to worry, like mothers do, you can call your doctor and have him/her ease your mind.

The swelling should go down within two or three days.

Answer 7

She's probably just reacting to the injection site itself, a cold compress should help some. If she gets a fever or starts feeling sick call your doctor. See how it is in a few hours - if its not better by morning then give the pediatrician a call.  

Answer 8

it is hard to tell.  a call to a doctor, even if unnecessary will ease your mind.  i think there is a wide range of normal reactions.  i got sick as a dog (fever, chills) and got a swelling at the base of my spine.  it went away with the fever.  very strange!

i hope your daughter feels better!