Lump after DTP vaccination in a child: 7 ways to remove it and what to do

Side effects, for example, a lump, are not a necessary complication after DPT. However, they do not always indicate that something has gone wrong in the child’s body.

Normal reactions to DPT, such as a slight increase in temperature or loss of appetite, are not a cause for concern.

The expert worked on the article:

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

Why does it appear

A lump forms at the injection site in 25% of cases. This happens because pathogenic bacteria are introduced into the body, which cause local inflammation.

The absorption of the vaccine takes several days, so the accumulation of pathogen cells in one place causes thickening and redness of the skin.

Sometimes bumps are associated with non-compliance with safety measures, as a result of which an infection occurs along with the injection, which also causes high fever and suppuration.

The photo shows a normal reaction and should go away within a few days.

How to reduce compaction after DTP, what to do to make the lump resolve?

Compaction after DTP vaccination photo

The injection site can be lubricated with Troxevasin ointment.
Sometimes a lump is formed if the vaccine gets into the fatty, subcutaneous tissue, and not into the muscle. There are much fewer vessels in the fat layer, and therefore the rate of absorption of the drug decreases sharply, resulting in a lump that may not go away for a long time. You can try to smear this area with Aescusan, then blood circulation will increase, the drug will begin to be absorbed faster, and the lump will gradually disappear.
A lump also forms if vaccination was carried out without observing basic aseptic rules, that is, when dirt got into the injection site. The lump in this case is a real inflammation, pus appears inside it, it needs to be released, and then the wound should be treated.

Redness after DTP vaccination. This phenomenon is also considered quite normal, since a mild inflammatory reaction develops at the injection site, and it is always accompanied by the formation of redness. If nothing else bothers the baby, then no action should be taken. As the vaccine dissolves, the inflammation will go away on its own, and with it the redness will disappear.
Pain at the site of DTP vaccination. The pain is caused by the same inflammatory reaction, it is expressed in a weaker or stronger form, it all depends on the personal characteristics of the baby. There is no need to force the child to endure, it is better to give him analgin to drink and apply ice to the vaccination site. If the pain does not go away for too long, then you should call a doctor.
Cough after DTP vaccine. Sometimes infants develop a cough throughout the day in response to vaccination if they have chronic respiratory diseases. This is due to the reaction of the child’s body to the component that resists pertussis infection. But this condition does not require special treatment; it goes away on its own within a few days. If the cough continues to develop, it means that the baby contracted some kind of infection at the clinic.

If the child took vitamin D before vaccination, after the injection the drug should not be taken for a week. During this period, instead, give the child Calcium gluconate tablets, previously crushed into powder.

Now you know why a bump occurs after DTP

Children often experience redness and soreness at the vaccine site, so it is important to monitor their well-being and take them to the doctor if necessary.

What to do if, after a DPT vaccination, there is a lump at the injection site in a child

If a lump appears, you need to monitor the child’s general condition, first of all, measure the temperature. If the temperature rises to 38°C or more, an antipyretic is given.

The lump is often accompanied by redness, pain and swelling. These are normal phenomena that go away along with the compaction. If the side effect persists after a few days, it means that the absorption of the vaccine is too slow.

Post-vaccination abscess at the injection site and the main methods of its treatment

The drug Fenistil

To help the bump disappear faster, parents can use the following medications to relieve swelling:

Aescusan (ointment). Helps stimulate blood circulation at the injection site, allowing the seal to go away faster. Apply once a day. Better before bedtime;
Troxevasin. Its composition of active components helps the lump to dissolve faster;
Fenistil (gel) will come to the rescue if the baby is bothered by itching at the vaccination site. But the product should not be applied to the puncture site, but around it. Fenistil quickly relieves pain, and the baby calms down;
Zodak and Tavegil. They will help get rid of seals if the baby is prone to allergies.

Troxevasin ointment

For the same reason, you should not warm the lump yourself, even if it seems too big and painful to you. In this situation, you should consult your pediatrician.

An iodine mesh will help to quickly resolve the infiltrate. It is worn on the seal, and when it completely disappears, it is drawn again. A gauze compress soaked in a magnesium solution will also help. It is better to apply it to swelling before going to bed.

Among the natural remedies that can be used to reduce infiltration, it should be noted:

soda compress. Proportion: 1 tbsp. soda to 1/2 cup warm water. Tie gauze (or cotton cloth) soaked in soda to the seal and wait until it dries completely;
fresh cabbage leaf. It should be lightly beaten with a hammer so that the juice comes out. Apply to the swollen area until it dries (about 2-3 hours);
raw potato compress. Finely grind the tubers. Form a flat cake and wrap it in cheesecloth. This bandage relieves swelling well.

The compress must “breathe”, so do not use film or plastic bags.

If the vaccination was completed correctly, the compaction will go away quickly. Parents should know that a lump may appear not only during the first DTP injection, but also after the 2nd and 3rd vaccination. This is fine.

You should only worry if after vaccination the baby exhibits the following symptoms:

the compaction does not subside for a long time or even increases (more than 6-8 cm in diameter);
high (over 38.5 degrees) temperature;
pus can be felt in the compaction, protruding at the puncture site;
nausea and poor appetite;
the infiltrate is “hot” and painful.

If the lump persists for up to two weeks after the injection, then doctors talk about the formation of a subcutaneous infiltrate. Such a formation is accompanied by redness, pain and in most clinical cases does not pose a danger to the baby’s health. A compaction up to 8 cm in diameter is considered normal. To alleviate the symptoms of infiltration, you can give the child an iodine network, which promotes its regression.

Compresses

A good way to get rid of a bump is to give your child compresses: magnesia, soda. Magnesia in ampoules is the easiest to use, as it does not require dilution.

From magnesia

The drug is sold in pharmacies in the form of powder, tablets and ampoules. To prepare a compress, use any form. Carefully read the dilution instructions; you also need to prepare means for applying a compress: cotton wool, a plastic bag or film, a bandage.

Cotton wool is moistened in a diluted solution and applied to the injection site. It needs to cover the entire inflamed surface.

Soda

A soda compress is prepared from boiled water: dilute a teaspoon of soda in a glass of water, moisten cotton wool or gauze. The compress is applied according to the same principle as indicated above.

You can also make lotions: dilute baking soda in water in a ratio of 1:20 and apply to the seal area. Procedures are done 2-3 times a day.

Therapy for a bunion on the foot

After the vaccine administration procedure, the formation may be on the limb for two weeks. You can make it smaller and remove pain using folk methods or other actions. You can draw an iodine mesh on the seal or apply dry heat to the limb for a couple of minutes.

It is important to monitor the child’s well-being and also not to wet the injection site for several days. Sometimes an allergic reaction to the vaccine occurs at the injection site

A rash appears and tissues swell

Sometimes an allergic reaction to the vaccine occurs at the injection site. A rash appears and tissues swell.

An allergic reaction makes itself felt within a couple of hours after vaccination

Therefore, it is important to take care of the baby and at the first noticed ailments or suspicions of an allergy, take him to the doctor urgently

You can eliminate unpleasant symptoms with special ointments or folk remedies. If the body temperature rises, the child should be given an antipyretic drug according to age.

Severe redness of the limb and fever

If the body temperature has risen to 37.5 - 38 degrees, and the formation on the limb is very red, you can lubricate it with Troxevasin gel. To relieve inflammation and pain, you can apply a lotion with novocaine to the tumor. To lower a high body temperature, you can give your child Ibuprofen or a paracetamol suppository.

When the temperature rises, you can take Nimesulide in suspension. The redness will go away in a couple of days, and the lump itself will resolve within a month.

After vaccination, redness and bumps can be removed with the following medications:

Aescusan ointment. It will improve blood circulation and speed up the resorption of the lump.
Ointment Rescuer. Thanks to lavender and sea buckthorn oils, as well as echinacea extract and beeswax, which are part of the drug, the inflammatory process will be relieved and the lump will resolve after a while.
To relieve itching, give your child Zyrtec drops or Claritin syrup according to age and doctor's recommendations. Very little ones can be given a little Fenistil in drops. Such drugs will relieve swelling, pain, and itching at the injection site.
You can treat the lump with heparin ointment. It will improve microcirculation in tissues and help it dissolve.

The leg is not washed after the vaccine. On the second day, you can lightly wipe it with a decoction of the string, but not with a washcloth, so as not to cause irritation. Do not apply alcohol compresses to the seal under any circumstances!

The use of folk remedies

If a lump appears on the baby’s leg after vaccination, you can try to make it smaller using the following folk remedies:

Warm the cottage cheese a little. Place it in a cloth folded in half and apply a compress to the seal for 10 minutes. Cover with a towel on top.

Add a little olive oil and one chicken egg yolk to the heated honey. Wrap the mixture in cloth, wrap it around the pine cone, and cover with paper. Keep for two to three hours.

You can apply a cut leaf of a cabbage head to the cone, covering it with parchment.

Mix heated honey with rye flour in equal proportions. Apply the resulting cake to the affected limb overnight, covering it with paper.

You cannot use cellophane for a compress, as it creates a greenhouse effect and the lump can increase even more.

Folk remedies

The following folk remedies help get rid of bumps:

Cabbage leaf. It is advised to use a fresh cut leaf, which is smeared with honey and applied to the injection site. Drinking cabbage juice overnight helps reduce the bump.
Egg scone. It is recommended to mix egg yolk, honey, flour and butter and roll it into a thin pancake, which is applied to the seal.
Hot cottage cheese. The cottage cheese is heated in a water bath and held over the injection site until it cools completely.
Honey with rye flour. Honey is heated, mixed in a 1:1 ratio with flour and applied to the cone.
Iodine network. The most famous universal way to deal with any problems. In the place of the bump, draw a grid with a cotton swab. It is recommended to dilute iodine with water 2:1.

The injection site is red and swollen

If the baby not only has a red spot, but also a swollen thigh or arm after vaccination, this is most likely an adverse reaction to the serum. If the swelling is small, then it can be considered as an immune response of the body.

You can also anoint the vaccination site, which is swollen and hot, with Troxevasin ointment..

In addition, the following methods will be effective:

Lotions using novocaine. The gauze needs to be moistened in the solution and fixed on the leg. Thanks to this, the baby’s condition will improve and pain will be relieved.
Cabbage leaf. It needs to be scalded with boiling water, kneaded well and after it releases the juice, applied to the affected area. This way it will be possible to eliminate inflammation.
Iodine. Using a cotton swab, you need to draw a mesh at the vaccination site to help reduce swelling.

What to do if the injection site is swollen after DTP vaccination

Swelling at the injection site is normal with DTP. However, if the entire leg swells, or the swelling exceeds 8 centimeters at the injection site, this indicates an allergic reaction to the components of the vaccine.

The following drugs are prescribed:

antihistamines, for example, Fenistil or Zyrtec;
hypoallergenic ointment Gepatrombin.

How to smear a bump after DTP vaccination:

Vishnevsky ointment;
Heparin;
Balm Rescuer;
Menovazin;
Traumeel;
Zodak or Tavegil.

Causes of dense bumps

An infiltrate (bump) on the leg or any other injection site occurs as a consequence of vaccination very often. This occurs due to physiological processes:

the subcutaneous tissue in young children is still too tender, under the pressure of the medicine it is strongly compressed;
the immune system “drives” lymphocytes to fight the vaccine, and an inflammatory reaction develops;
if the infiltrate does not heal for a very long time, then this indicates a violation in the vaccination technique (the drug enters the subcutaneous tissue, as a result of which the medicine is absorbed slowly, accumulating at the injection site).

A lump without pus that appears on the leg of a small child does not cause any dangerous conditions in most cases.

Important! If the diameter of the compaction reaches 8 cm or more, then it is time to consult a doctor.

Additionally, the lump may hurt, itch, or be too red. Similar conditions with large formations also require medical attention.

Abscess after vaccination

In rare cases, painful bumps after vaccination may become larger and redder. The reason for this condition is failure to comply with the requirements for disinfecting surfaces and needles before insertion into the body. As a result, bacteria penetrate the wound and an abscess appears.

Sometimes the vaccine itself leads to a similar pathology if it was improperly stored or transported. In rare situations, an abscess develops as an allergic reaction.

You can recognize an abscess and consult a doctor in time based on specific signs:

purulent formations begin to appear in the infiltrate;
above the abscess the epidermis becomes very thin, which leads to spontaneous opening;
the epidermis over the abscess is usually very hot;
general body temperature can rise to 39 degrees;
The pain is very sharp and usually causes the baby to cry.

To prevent the development of an abscess, you need to contact a surgeon and do an ultrasound.

Red spot after DTP vaccination

The formation of a lump is sometimes accompanied by redness. The mere appearance of a red spot is not a cause for concern. It's worth observing its size. 5 cm in diameter is considered normal.

If it intensifies and becomes more than 8 cm, you should consult a doctor. As a rule, this reaction is accompanied by severe swelling, a rash, and the leg begins to itch, which signals an allergy.

How to understand that it’s time for your baby to see the doctor

To prevent severe complications, infants need to be closely monitored after vaccinations. You need to see a doctor if:

the child feels pain from touching the lump area;
the baby constantly cries;
the temperature rose above 39 degrees;
the infiltrate has grown more than 8 cm;
the baby has seizures or an allergic reaction;
enlarged lymph nodes in the groin.

Such symptoms require an immediate response - calling an ambulance.

It is easy to get rid of a lump that does not cause severe discomfort and does not lead to an increase in symptoms at home. To do this, you need to use available medications. Attentive treatment of the child for several days after vaccination will prevent serious complications from developing.

Arm or shoulder blade hurts after DTP vaccination

For infants, the vaccine is given exclusively in the leg to ensure efficient absorption of the drug in the body.

Teenagers are allowed to be vaccinated under the shoulder blade, and adults are given injections in the deltoid muscle, in the shoulder.

After revaccination, discomfort and pain sometimes occur, but due to age, less often than in young children.

What to do if you have pain? If not much time has passed since the injection, then you should wait. Usually the pain goes away after 2-3 days.

If the pain is severe, the temperature rises, you need to take an anti-inflammatory and antipyretic drug. For example, based on ibuprofen.

If the temperature is normal, you can take a regular painkiller. Vishnevsky or ichthyol ointment is applied to the injection site to speed up the spread of the vaccine throughout the body.

What body reaction is considered normal?

According to statistical studies by doctors, every sixth vaccinated child experiences complications after DTP. The most common reaction to the vaccine is a slight hardening at the injection site, which is currently regarded as normal and does not need correction.

Since babies are injected into the outer thigh, the lump develops here. The leg after DTP vaccination may hurt for about 3-4 days, and then go away on its own and without consequences. An allergic reaction at the injection site usually occurs after the second vaccination. It is easy to prevent it if you start giving your child antihistamines 3 days before the vaccination.

Other reactions to the DTP vaccine include:

a rise in body temperature to 38 C (if the temperature rises to 38.5-40 C, then you must immediately show the child to a doctor);
the occurrence of catarrhal manifestations in the form of a runny nose and cough;
short-term loss of appetite;
weakness and lethargy for 1-2 days after the injection;
changes in the digestive tract, in particular, diarrhea, colic, single vomiting.

Several drugs are used to immunize children: DPT, Pentaxim, Infanrix, Infanrix IPV, Infanrix Hexa, Tetrakok and Bubo-Kok. Pentaxim, in addition to whooping cough, diphtheria and tetanus, protects against Haemophilus influenzae and polio, Infanrix Hexa protects against polio and hepatitis B. The injection is given in a specific area of the body: for children the vaccine is injected into the outer part of the thigh, for older children and adults - into the shoulder.

It is common for a young child to have a reaction to a vaccine. Side effects that occur after vaccination and do not pose a threat to the health of the baby:

rise in temperature;
runny nose, cough;
loss of appetite;
weakness, lethargy;
diarrhea, vomiting, colic;
redness or swelling at the injection site.

To reduce the unpleasant symptoms that occur after vaccination, you can use the following options to help your child:

get a massage;
apply a compress to the injection site;
smear the leg in the place where it is swollen with a special ointment.

If after vaccination a child’s temperature rises above 38.5°C, the redness intensifies and the leg is very swollen, you can anoint the sore spot with Troxevasin gel or make a compress with novocaine. This will eliminate redness and ease pain. Also give your child the antipyretic medicine Nurofen or Paracetamol in syrup form. You can use a rectal suppository with paracetamol.

If the compaction that appears after DTP does not go away, in addition to the indicated drugs, the following remedies can be used:

for allergic itching, swelling and redness, infants will benefit from Fenistil in drops, for babies over 1 year old - 5 drops of Zyrtec 1-2 times a day, and for children over 2 years old - Claritin syrup, a teaspoon once a day;
Aescusan ointment and Troxerutin gel improve blood circulation and accelerate wound healing;
Rescuer ointment reduces inflammation and resolves bumps;
Heparin ointment enhances tissue microcirculation and relieves swelling.

To reduce the unpleasant effect of the vaccine, you can apply a cabbage leaf to the injection site.

Often parents, when a child develops an infiltrate at the injection site, resort to folk remedies:

Cottage cheese compress. The product should be heated in a water bath, wrapped in soft cotton cloth and applied to the seal until the curd cools.
Honey compress. Heat the honey, add the egg yolk and a little olive oil. Mix everything, form a cake, wrap it in cotton cloth and apply it to the pine cone, covering it with parchment on top.
Cabbage leaf. Apply to the infiltrate before going to bed.
Compress made of honey and flour. Mix heated honey and rye flour in equal proportions. Make a cake and apply it to the seal before going to bed.
Soda compress. Dilute a teaspoon of soda in a glass of warm water, moisten a cotton handkerchief in the soda solution and tie it to the swelling until the bandage dries.

Do not use film or plastic bags when applying a compress. They create a greenhouse effect, which intensifies the inflammatory process.

White spot in a child after DTP

The white spot is a natural consequence of suppuration. When the vaccination protocol is not followed, an infection enters the body along with the injection, which causes severe inflammation with subsequent suppuration of the vaccine injection site, that is, an abscess.

Such a complication requires immediate consultation with a doctor and possible intervention by a surgeon.

Abscess is one of the most dangerous complications after DTP. You should immediately consult a doctor to prevent worsening.

What to do if a lump does not go away for a long time after DTP

Usually the lump goes away in 2-4 days, and if after 7-14 days it persists and does not decrease, you should definitely consult a pediatrician or therapist.

There are situations when the condition returns to normal, the vaccination is successful, but after a few months or a year, a lump is felt and/or a small bruise is visible. This means that a hematoma formed at the injection site.

The likelihood that it will resolve on its own is very low; consultation with a doctor and possible surgical intervention are necessary.

When to see a doctor

It is recommended to monitor the child’s condition and consult a pediatrician if any abnormalities are detected. However, do not panic and run to the doctor if side effects persist after 2 days.

When, after a week, disturbing symptoms appear: pain, itching, rash, swelling, lameness, temperature above 38o, you should definitely consult a doctor.

Other side effects and complications

In addition to thickening, redness of the skin and temperature, the following side effects are normal:

weakness;
loss of appetite;
sleep disturbance.

When faced with such reactions of the body, there is no need to panic, they are natural for all people.

In addition to hyperthermia, edema, abscess at the injection site, complications occur:

nerve damage;
soft tissue necrosis;
thrombophlebitis;
convulsions;
Quincke's edema.

Most of the listed side effects occur due to the incompetence of the medical worker who administered the vaccine, or failure to follow the rules of vaccination and care of the injection site.

Rules of conduct after revaccination

After vaccination with DTP, the following rules must be observed:

It is imperative to maintain your usual diet and not introduce new foods. If the baby is breastfed, the mother should adhere to her normal diet.
Eliminate foods that cause allergies.
It is recommended to drink a lot of water, natural juices and fruit drinks.
Do not swim or get the vaccine wet for the first day.
Avoid crowded places, limit communication with peers.
Do not give other vaccines within three months after DPT.

Doctor Komarovsky's opinion

Dr. Komarovsky confirms that DPT is one of those vaccinations that is difficult to tolerate. Complications such as seizures and temperatures of 40C occur in one child out of several thousand.

Severe complications: allergies, damage to the nervous system, loss of consciousness - occur in 1 case in a million.

Nevertheless, Komarovsky urges parents to monitor the child’s condition from the very moment of vaccination, since allergic reactions appear within half an hour after the injection.

The doctor claims that it is much safer to get vaccinated, since the risk of complications after vaccination is several times lower than the danger and side effects from infection.

What medications are prohibited after vaccination?

There is a ban on certain medications and vitamins that a baby should not take after any vaccination:

Vitamin D is canceled 6 days after vaccination, as it can lead to the development of an allergic reaction. You can replace the vitamin with calcium gluconate in tablets;
Suprastin - the drug dries out the airways, which leads to easy penetration of microbes. You can replace it with Fenistil or Zyrtec;
Aspirin is prohibited - it is generally not recommended to give it to children due to its negative effect on the stomach.

For you: Pathologies after vaccination: can your baby get sick?
It is best to use local medications to combat a bump on the leg or other place.