Hard, hot red lump at DTaP injection site

[Bokonon]

DS (5) had the DTaP on Thursday. No other vaxes at that time, and his last one was the varicella vax 1 year ago. He has been vaccinated on schedule up until now, with no observable reactions.

He complained about it hurting that day, but said later that it was better. He dresses himself, so I didn't even look at it until putting sunscreen on him before his swimming lesson this morning. Then I was horrified to see that there is a large red lump (not raised significantly, but it's definitely a lump) just under the injection site, and it's hard and hot.

DS said that it doesn't hurt, and he hasn't had a fever or any other unusual symptoms. But it's been over 48 hours since the shot.

Is this a reportable adverse reaction? Other than a heating pad, is there anything else I should do?

I'm glad and fortunate that he didn't have a more severe reaction. I really wrestled with the idea of getting the DTaP for both kids, but am paranoid about the current upswing of pertussis in California, as both kids were preemies and I worry about their lungs. But I am SO glad I didn't get him the MMR, varicella, and Polio vaxes at the same time like the doc wanted me to!

TIA for any advice!

[Amanda L]

My pediatrician told me when I called about lumps at my stepson's injection sites that unless he was acting sick or running a fever they were normal. He had the chicken pox vaccine at the same time and had lumps on both, poor kid!

So, yes they can be normal. You might want to call your pedi and verify though.

[sosurreal09]

my doc has one shot that has everything in it. i would think it would be a reportable reaction and i would call him pead and ask them what to do.

[MyTwoCherries]

Yes, this is common with DTap. You could still put a call in to check/add to his record. Usually the 1st, 2nd vaccines are okay but 3rd and especially 4th and 5th boosters usually react, each one a little more than previously. My daughter had a bad reaction after her third. She hasn't had any more since. Her leg was hard with a lump for weeks, literally.

This is, however, just my experience. Our pedi told us it's very common and I've read similar on other forums, etc. but it would be great to hear more information on why, etc. as well.

Hugs to your lo! I hope he's feeling better soon.

[~Charlie's~Angel~]

Have you ever had a tetnus shot? THEY SUCK! Before I knew any better, I let an ER doc bully me into getting one after shutting my finger in a very heavy wood drawer and slicing my finger open ( it bled like a siv, tetnus was TOTALLY unnecessary, but OT) My arm throbed and had a substantial lump for about 3 days.

My MIL also just had one recently for a bad burn on her arm from a school kitchen oven (more ) Her arm was a giant lump for almost a week, and SORRRRRRRRRRE.

Now I understand your son had Dtap, which isnt the same as the tetnus shot, but the tetnus toxoid is in it, right? So I would assume a similar reaction. Perhaps on a milder level.

[Fyrestorm]

Originally Posted by Barbie64g

Have you ever had a tetnus shot? THEY SUCK! Before I knew any better, I let an ER doc bully me into getting one after shutting my finger in a very heavy wood drawer and slicing my finger open ( it bled like a siv, tetnus was TOTALLY unnecessary, but OT) My arm throbed and had a substantial lump for about 3 days.

My MIL also just had one recently for a bad burn on her arm from a school kitchen oven (more ) Her arm was a giant lump for almost a week, and SORRRRRRRRRRE.

Now I understand your son had Dtap, which isnt the same as the tetnus shot, but the tetnus toxoid is in it, right? So I would assume a similar reaction. Perhaps on a milder level.

The Tetanus shot you and you MIL got was most likely the DTaP or TDaP. They almost never have TT (tetanus only) available. At the very least you both got the DT

[cloak]

Originally Posted by Bokonon

Is this a reportable adverse reaction? Other than a heating pad, is there anything else I should do?

Yes, it's reportable. From what I've read the lump is a depot of aluminum and the body is reacting to it. I don't know what you can do though outside of waiting for the body to clear it.

[Bokonon]

Thanks everyone! It's gotten smaller and less red since Saturday, but it's still there. I reported it to VAERS!

[happysmileylady]

I actually got similar lumps with my PIO (progesterone) injections when we did our IVF. Although, mine were more like bruises than red. I think just about any injection can cause something like that, but I think it's always worth a call to the ped if you are concerned.