Redness and swelling at the injection site

Children from birth to six years old need to get vaccinations at regular intervals. The types of vaccinations required are different at different ages, which can be seen from the child's vaccination records. However, some children experience redness and swelling at the injection site after receiving vaccinations. Is this serious? Generally speaking, this is normal and parents do not need to worry. The stye will disappear quickly, but if there is severe redness, swelling and damage, it is not normal and requires medical treatment.

Why is the area where my baby got the vaccination red and swollen?

Many babies will experience redness and swelling around the injection site after receiving a vaccination. This is a normal phenomenon after an injection, usually caused by the injected medicine not yet dispersing. Mothers do not need to worry too much. However, if severe redness, swelling, nodules or ulcers occur, such as nodules larger than 3cm, you should go to the hospital for treatment in time.

If there is only slight redness and swelling, the mother can apply hot compress to the red and swollen area, or cut a clean, thin, raw potato slice and apply it to the red and swollen area, which can help relieve the redness and swelling. As long as you don't let the red and swollen area get wet or squeezed, and especially restrain your baby from scratching the red and swollen area, the swelling will naturally disappear after a few days.

There is no way to avoid side effects when children receive vaccinations. Parents can only try their best to take good care of their babies so that the side effects will cause less harm to the babies.

How to care for your baby after vaccination

Your baby may experience local reactions within 24 hours after vaccination, such as redness, swelling, heat, and pain at the vaccination site. If the local redness and swelling are severe, you can apply hot compress (hot compress is strictly prohibited for redness and swelling after BCG vaccination). Soak a clean towel in warm water, then wring it dry and apply it to the red and swollen area for about 5 minutes each time, once in the morning and once in the evening, which will help reduce swelling.

Traditional Chinese medicine believes that potatoes have the effect of reducing swelling and dispersing nodules. Fresh potato slices applied externally have a hypertonic effect and can relieve local swelling. If the area where your baby received the vaccination is red and swollen, you can apply fresh potato slices on the second day after the injection, for 3-5 minutes each time, 3-4 times a day. After a period of time, you will see an immediate swelling-reducing effect.

When the area where the baby received the vaccination becomes red and swollen, parents should pay attention to keeping the area dry and clean. It is recommended not to get it wet for 2-3 days to prevent the child from scratching it with their hands. Iodine should be applied externally for disinfection every day to prevent secondary infection.