Table of contents:
- Why does the arm feel sore after the injection?
- 4 ways to deal with pain after injection
- 1. Injections in the arm that you rarely use
- 2. Compress
- 3. Use pain relievers
- 4. See a doctor
Many say that it hurts when the needle is injected as if it were bitten by an ant. Indeed, at that time the pain was only for a moment, but after being injected many people actually complained about their arm aching. The pain after the injection can even last for hours to days. So, why, yes, can the arm feel sore after the injection?
Why does the arm feel sore after the injection?
Most people who are afraid of getting injections don't want to feel the pain. The aches and pains that arise after the injection are actually a side effect of this medical procedure.
It also depends on the type of drug that is injected into the body. If you have just been shot with the vaccine, the pain will generally last up to a day or two.
These reactions are allergic reactions that usually cause symptoms, such as itching, redness, or swelling of the skin. But calm down, this reaction can go away on its own, with time.
According to the American Lung Association, arm aches and soreness to the muscles after the shot of the vaccine, usually caused by an active immune system at that time. This is because the vaccine actually contains an inactive virus.
Even though the virus is inactive, it triggers an immune system reaction to produce various antibodies. Now, when antibodies try to fight this "dead" virus, an allergic response will usually appear.
4 ways to deal with pain after injection
If your hand really hurts after the injection, there are a number of things you can do to reduce the pain.
1. Injections in the arm that you rarely use
Before the injection, it is a good idea to ask for a vaccine shot or injection for treatment to be done on the arm you use less frequently for activities. The goal is to reduce pain in the arm after the injection.
For example, if you use your right hand more often for activities, such as writing, driving, eating, and other active movements, you should ask your doctor or nurse to inject your left hand.
This should be done because if the injection is given to the hand that is used for various active activities, it is feared that your muscles will feel even more sore.
In addition, try to reduce the tension or pressure on the hand being given the injection and make light and slow hand movements so that you help get the vaccine flowing throughout your body.
2. Compress
Although this allergic reaction can disappear on its own after one to two days after giving the injection, there is nothing wrong if you compress the area around the arm that hurts after the injection.
Compress the area of the hand that received the injection with a clean towel that has been moistened with warm or cold water. This is believed to reduce allergic reactions in the area around the injection, such as burning in the arm, redness of the skin, and swelling.
3. Use pain relievers
In order to reduce pain after the injection, you can use pain relievers such as ibuprofen. Ibuprofen can help with muscle pain in the arm that aches after the injection.
Take ibuprofen at least two hours before getting the injection in your arm. After that, try compressing your arm and taking a dose of ibuprofen if it still hurts after receiving the injection.
4. See a doctor
Allergic reactions to the arm after injection are the most common side effects. That is, this is very natural and not dangerous.
However, if you feel that your allergic reaction is different, try to mark the areas of your hands that have redness or swelling.
If the size gets bigger or the pain doesn't go away after days, contact your doctor immediately.