One of the most common reactions to a baby being vaccinated is a stiff swelling at the injection site. So is this phenomenon dangerous and what should parents do best for the baby?
Why do babies need vaccinations?
Vaccine is a great achievement of human medicine to help the human body proactively prevent many dangerous infectious diseases as well as reduce mortality in patients. When vaccines are injected into the body, they stimulate the body to produce immunity against pathogens.
In particular, children are the more likely to be vaccinated because their immune system is still incomplete and the resistance is poor, so they are very susceptible to viruses and bacteria, causing their body to become infected.
Some other common reactions when babies get vaccinated
After the vaccines are injected into the baby's body, the vaccines will begin to work and cause some unwanted reactions such as:
Fever
This is the most common reaction a baby will experience after getting the shot. Fever is just the way a child's body reacts to the drug and this phenomenon should go away on its own after about 1-2 days of vaccination, so parents don't need to worry too much.
The baby's vaccination site is swollen and stiff
Some babies with a sensitive site will experience swelling and stiffness at their vaccination site. This may last a few days, but it will go away on its own, so parents don't need to take the baby to the doctor.
Allergy
In addition to the site of the injection, the baby is swollen and stiff, he or she may also have allergies, hives or itchy rashes all over the body. This will also go away on its own after a few days, but if the child feels a lot of discomfort, parents can give their child anti- allergy medicine .
Some other dangerous reactions
In addition to the above cases, your child may experience some dangerous reactions such as nerve accident, lymphadenitis, encephalitis, ... These are severe and rare reactions that can be life-threatening. I need to bring you to the hospital immediately for prompt treatment.
How should I take care of my baby's vaccination site?
Apply cool compresses to the injection site
For the swelling to subside, parents can use a towel soaked in ice to cool the injection site of their child so that the hardened scar is dissolved quickly. However, remember to use a towel and clean water.
Use a hot compress
After 24 hours from the injection, parents can warm the child's injection site so that the swelling disappears quickly, making the skin easy to exchange with the outside environment and quickly recover.
Absolutely do not apply or apply anything to the wound
Many online sources share a folk method of reducing the bump to a child's vaccination site by applying lemon or potato to the injection site. However, this is extremely dangerous because it can cause the irritated injection to become more swollen and worse, even infected.
Avoid touching the injection site
After the injection, parents remember to let the child wear cool clothes, so hold the child in a position to limit touching the injection site, and do not rub any oil or touch the child's wound.
Use fever-reducing medicine
If the child has a fever above 38.5 degrees C, parents can consult a doctor or pharmacist and give them common fever-reducing medicines such as Paracetamol, Ibuprofen with appropriate doses. Remember to let your child drink more water to reduce their fever.
What is the situation, then parents need to take their baby to the doctor?
The injection site is swollen, red, painful and lasts more than 1 week without decreasing
Children have high fever, prolonged crying, tired a lot
Pale skin
Seizures, coma
Vomiting, poor feeding, stop feeding
Rash
Difficulty breathing, rapid breathing, purple lips, cold limbs
Recently, there are ways to help parents take care of the injection site when the baby's injection site is swollen and stiff. This is only a normal reaction when the child is finished, so parents do not need to worry too much. Just pay close attention to take care of your baby's injection site carefully to avoid infection and feed your baby with food and activities as usual.
In addition, to avoid more dangerous complications, parents should invest in their babies vaccinated at reputable medical facilities to protect their children's health. In addition, there should not be two live vaccines in close proximity and the vaccination of parents should strictly follow the instructions of the specialist doctor.
See more:
Polio vaccination with fever? What to do after a fever vaccination?
Should the booster vaccination or service injection be better for the baby?
The protective shots parents should know!