When can you bathe a child after DPT vaccination and what to do if they have already gotten wet?

DTP is a complex vaccine for the prevention of diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, and ensures the formation of antitoxic immunity. Used since 1964.

Since 1974 it has become mandatory, which has led to a steady decrease in morbidity and mortality from these diseases. However, the epidemic process of whooping cough continues, and schoolchildren of primary and middle age are especially affected.

The expert worked on the article:

Ann

The information on the site is provided for informational purposes only. Don't self-medicate! Consult your doctor for advice.

Why you can’t get the DPT vaccine wet

Before the vaccine, it is necessary to wash the child, since after the administration of the drug it is better not to take a bath for a couple of days. While swimming, you can introduce an infection into an open wound.

It is forbidden to wash if you have the following symptoms:

• nasal congestion;
• temperature increase;
• lethargy, inactivity;
• cough.

Why can’t you bathe your child after DTP vaccination? The wound can easily get infected; if you are careless, you can damage the skin, which will result in replenishment and worsen the general condition. The body is weakened, there is a risk of catching a cold.

Antibodies have not yet been sufficiently developed, so in children the temperature rises to 38C. It is worth monitoring the general condition of the child; if he is cheerful and cheerful, then he can wash or swim the very next day.

Why you shouldn’t get the injection site wet: possible consequences of bathing

Almost all parents know that they should not wet the puncture after the Mantoux test, as there is a risk of distorting the test result. But not everyone understands why doctors prohibit swimming after DTP. Restrictions on water procedures during the post-vaccination period are explained by the fact that taking a shower or bath can provoke undesirable consequences.

Swimming immediately after vaccination can cause:

• injection site infection . Tap water is of poor quality. For the first couple of days, there is a wound in the puncture area, into which pathogenic microorganisms can easily penetrate. When a puncture comes into contact with water, the risk of inflammation, swelling, and suppuration increases. If an abscess forms, it will have to be removed surgically;
• cold . After vaccination, the immune system is weakened. The slightest draft and temperature difference can cause a cold. In this case, the pathology will be difficult;
• stress. Vaccination is a burden on the body. If a child does not like to swim, then water procedures will be additional stress for him;
• improper formation of specific immunity . Antibodies may be produced in insufficient quantities or not formed at all. This is explained by the fact that in the post-vaccination period the body is weakened, since all its forces are aimed at fighting antigenic material. If a child gets sick, the immune system will begin to fight the pathology and will react less to DTP.

It is better to refrain from swimming for a couple of days. During this period, it is allowed to wipe the child’s body with a damp towel or napkins without touching the puncture area.

What happens if you wet a child’s or an adult’s DPT vaccine?

On the first day, the injection site should not get wet, otherwise the following complications may arise:

• strong pain;
• redness;
• rash;
• swelling around the wound;
• seals;
• lameness;
• formation of pus.

Especially dangerous are purulent abscesses that are difficult to remove without surgery; if they occur, consult a doctor immediately.

Photo of complications after swimming:

After what vaccinations can a child be bathed?

You can swim after vaccinations included in the national calendar. Among them are those that are recognized as mandatory (DPT, polio, BCG and others), as well as those considered recommended, for example, for influenza or rabies.

After BCG, a normal reaction is the formation of a papule at the injection site. This shouldn't scare parents. You can wash your child without any problems, the main thing is not to rub the scar until a scar forms.

DTP is a vaccine that is not always easily tolerated by young patients. Some people experience hyperthermia the next day or the next day, so monitoring should be continuous throughout this time. DPT should not be wetted when the child complains of deterioration in health.

The hepatitis B vaccine rarely causes side effects. Vaccinated children are bathed when there are no complaints of malaise.

Poliomyelitis is an oral vaccine (drops in the mouth), the baby can be washed immediately. If immunization is carried out subcutaneously, then the baby must be monitored before taking a bath.

What to do if the vaccine gets wet

The injection site gets wet not only from swimming, but also from sweat. There is no need to worry, but you need to take some measures.

Table - What to do if you wet yourself with DTP

You cannot use herbs and compresses, as the complication moves to a new stage; it is better to report all unforeseen circumstances to your doctor.

The injection site is wet: what to do

You cannot get the DTP vaccine wet, but if this happens, there is no need to panic. You need to blot the injection site with a towel. Rubbing it is strictly prohibited. Such actions will worsen the situation.

If a local reaction occurs, the affected area is treated with Troxevasin ointment.

The drug helps improve blood circulation and the seal begins to dissolve. The pain syndrome is relieved, itching and inflammation are eliminated.

Compresses cannot be applied to the injection site. It is also prohibited to use antiseptics and traditional medicine. All actions are coordinated with the doctor. Self-medication is unacceptable.

How many days after can you wash after DPT vaccination?

According to Dr. Komarovsky, parents should not change their child’s lifestyle, as innovations cause children to experience stress, which has a negative impact on the immune system.

If a child is accustomed to taking water procedures before bed, he cannot be prohibited from doing so. It is only important to limit yourself to a shower and reduce contact with water over time so that there is no hypothermia or overheating.

You are allowed to take a bath the next day. The main thing is to avoid contact with the skin of gels, oils, shampoo, bubble baths; a short wash with warm water is enough. You can even get by with wiping with a damp towel.

When a baby categorically refuses to wash himself, cries and throws a tantrum, you shouldn’t insist either.

Whooping cough

Tetanus

Diphtheria

When can you bathe your child after DPT vaccination? It all depends on the child’s body itself, how it tolerates the vaccine, what the symptoms are, and whether there is a habit of bathing before bed. Most often, you can take a bath the very next day; in some cases with complications, you can wait two to three days.

Possible consequences

Swimming after vaccination, when the body is weakened, can cause the development of viral and infectious diseases that arise due to violation of the rules and precautions during water procedures (if the child was exposed to a draft or became very cold after a bath).

Other possible consequences are swelling and redness of the skin; A local increase in temperature at the site of vaccine administration cannot be ruled out. These signs can go away on their own after a few days; extremely rarely, they can be symptoms of suppuration or an abscess. If the skin at the injection site becomes sharply red and swollen, you should contact your pediatrician.

Rules of conduct after revaccination

DTP is not given for life; revaccination is necessary after several years: in first or second grade, seventh or eighth grade, and every ten years after leaving school.

Repeated vaccinations have a cumulative effect, so they are more difficult to tolerate; you must follow the same rules: do not wet the injection site for a while, do not rub, do not bathe in a hot bath.

When is swimming allowed?

If the baby eats with appetite, plays and there is no body reaction to the vaccine, he can be bathed on the first day after immunization.

The main thing is to follow a number of rules:

1. Use boiled water. Do not add herbal infusions.
2. Maintain the water temperature within 36-39 degrees Celsius.
3. Children are only allowed to swim for a short time. 5-10 minutes is enough.
4. The grafting site may only be moistened with water, but not rubbed with a sponge.
5. After leaving the bath, you should immediately dry the child with a towel and dress him, avoiding hypothermia.
6. You need to make sure that there are no drafts in the room.

By complying with these requirements, negative consequences after DPT will not arise. Bathing is allowed immediately after the vaccine is administered if there are no changes in the baby’s well-being.

Considering that the reaction to the vaccine often appears on the second day, it is still recommended to postpone bathing.

How is it transferred

Each body reacts to the drug differently, but there are several common symptoms and ways to relieve them. In this case, it is necessary to distinguish an adverse reaction from a complication.

Table - Symptoms after DTP

Swimming pool and vaccination

If a child or adult does not have pronounced general or local reactions to vaccination, specialists allow resuming use of the pool from the fourth day after vaccination.

For two to three weeks, parents watch the child especially closely to prevent hypothermia and the addition of a cold, which can weaken the tension of the developing immunity.

If the post-vaccination period occurs with pronounced systemic and local manifestations, refrain from visiting the pool until the symptoms disappear completely.

Komarovsky about DTP vaccination

Dr. Komarovsky in one of his programs advocated for the DTP vaccine. He sees many advantages in vaccination, since with the help of one drug one can prevent several diseases at once.

This reduces the number of visits to the clinic, the number of injections and the risk of infection, without increasing the possibility of complications and without interfering with the quality of the immunity produced.

The doctor states: “Before the vaccine was created, 20% of children suffered from diphtheria, which led to death. Thanks to mass administration of the drug, the risks have decreased significantly.” In support of DTP, Komarovsky cites statistics: “When contracting tetanus, even in the best clinic, 85% of people die. The only thing worse is rabies.”

The doctor illustrates the importance of developing a vaccine, but Komarovsky does not exclude the fact that the vaccine is difficult to tolerate, which is why some mothers are opposed to it. Regarding the frequency of DTP administration, Komarovsky says one thing - you should adhere to the national vaccination calendar.

Application

The Ministry of Health recommends using Sputnik Light to prevent coronavirus infection in people aged 18 to 60 years. This is its difference from the usual two-component Sputnik, which can be administered to older people without restrictions.

On August 21, 2021, a statement from the minister about the possibility of using the vaccine for people over 60 years of age appeared on the website of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation.

Contraindications to Sputnik Light are standard:

● hypersensitivity to vaccine components;

● previous episodes of systemic allergic reactions;

● acute diseases and periods of exacerbation of chronic diseases;

● pregnancy and lactation.

What are the rules for bathing after vaccination?

There are children who don't really like to take a bath. But for some kids this is one of their favorite procedures, so refusing it can ruin their mood and cause anxiety. For water lovers, there are rules that will help avoid problems after vaccination.

1. Reduce bathing time.
2. Avoid sudden changes in temperature after a bath. The water should not be too hot, otherwise there will be a noticeable contrast.
3. Do not use a washcloth, brush, or, especially, a bath broom. The injection site can be gently wiped with a soft sponge, but without force, to avoid injury.
4. Add chamomile infusion or lavender essential oil to the water. These plants have antiseptic properties.
5. In the hot summer, replace staying in the bath with a shower.
6. After bathing, the child must be dried and dressed immediately to avoid hypothermia.
7. Avoid drafts.

Is it worth covering the injection site with something?

There is no need to cover the injection site or seal it with a band-aid. This can injure already irritated skin. The most important thing is not to rub the wound with a washcloth or wash the resulting wound with soap to avoid infection.

The situation is different with the Mantoux/Pirquet reaction. It is better to close it if necessary to wash.

Caring for the injection site

No special measures are required. There are a number of recommendations that are worth listening to.

1. The injection site should be open and ventilated.
2. When discharge appears, you need to apply a loose bandage, which needs to be changed every day.
3. The wound should be dry and clean until a crust forms.
4. Do not use ointments.
5. It is better not to touch the injection site.