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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Swelling In The Upper Arm After Receiving A Tetanus Shot?

Okay so I cut my hand open on the 23rd & had to get stitches & a tetanus shot. My arm was hurting for a couple of days from the shot, like expected, but the pain went away a day or 2 later. Today (8 days later) when I got home from work I noticed it was sore where it was injected at & hours have went by & it has gotten worse. My upper arm is swollen with a knot & hurting to the point where I cant even move or lift it. Is this common for tetanus shot over a week later?
Wed, 6 Jun 2018
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.

Pain after tetanus shot. Pain after tetanus shot is common & is due to it's immunization action. It may reappear after up to 4 weeks of prick. But the pain, swelling of arm & specially the knots deep in muscle mass suggests formation of injection abscess. You can foment/ apply ice pack to it, take tab,. Ibuprofen over the counter & meet your treating doctor for physical assessment.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
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What Causes Swelling In The Upper Arm After Receiving A Tetanus Shot?

Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice. Pain after tetanus shot. Pain after tetanus shot is common & is due to it s immunization action. It may reappear after up to 4 weeks of prick. But the pain, swelling of arm & specially the knots deep in muscle mass suggests formation of injection abscess. You can foment/ apply ice pack to it, take tab,. Ibuprofen over the counter & meet your treating doctor for physical assessment. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.