Article: It’s not uncommon to have some pain or discomfort at an injection site for a few hours or days. Looking for signs of post-injection inflammatory reactions can help you figure out the best way to relieve your pain or if you need to see your doctor. Common symptoms are:  Itching Redness radiating from the injection site Warmth Swelling Tenderness Pain Put an ice or cold pack over the injection site. This can relieve itching, swelling, and pain by constricting blood flow and cooling your skin.  Leave the ice on the site for 15 – 20 minutes. Do this three to four times per day until the pain eases.  Use a bag of frozen vegetables if you don’t have an ice pack. Put something like a towel between your skin and the ice or cold pack to minimize the risk of frostbite.  Put a clean, cool, wet washcloth over the injection site if you don’t want to use ice.  Avoid applying heat to your injection site. This can increase swelling as it brings more blood to infected area. Over-the-counter medications can relieve pain and swelling. Consider taking these medications if you have a lot of pain or inflammation at the injection site.  Take pain relievers including ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB), naproxen sodium (Aleve) or acetaminophen (Tylenol).  Do not give aspirin to children or teenagers under 18, as it increases the risk for Reye's syndrome, a potentially fatal condition.  Minimize swelling with NSAIDs (non-steriodal anti-inflammatory drugs) like ibuprofen and naproxen sodium. Avoid taxing the area where you had an injection, especially if it was a cortisone shot. This can give the injection site time to heal and may prevent further pain or discomfort.  Keep heavy lifting to a minimum if you got a shot in the arm. Stay off of your feet if you got an injection on your leg.  If you have received a steroid shot, avoid heat for 24 hours to ensure the injection will have maximum response. In some cases, injections can cause allergic reactions or prolonged pain. Seek medical attention as soon as possible if you experience any of the following symptoms or are unsure about your medication:  Worsening pain, redness, warmth, swelling, or itching Fever Chills Muscle aches Difficulty breathing High-pitched or uncontrolled crying in children
What is a summary of what this article is about?
Watch for injection site reactions. Apply ice therapy. Take pain medication. Give the site some rest. Seek medical attention for allergic reactions or infection.