Question 1

what should you do if you get hives after a flu shot?

Accepted Answer

See below: As long as you are not having any trouble breathing, the best thing to take is benadryl (diphenhydramine). I would also contact your provider.

Question 2

she got the hives a day after her flu shot.  both her pediatrician and allergist said it's not from the shot (that was the only new thing in her life) one gave her a steroid drink (didn't work) and another gave her some chewing pills (didn't work). ?

Accepted Answer

Rare but possible: The CDC states "Any medication can cause a severe allergic reaction...estimated at about 1 in a million doses, and would happen within a few minutes to a few hours after the vaccination."  Your child (age?) may have had a milder allergic reaction to the vaccine, or something else. Rx steroid and antihistamine like Benadryl.  Any new detergent or fabric softener? Those  pills were? Directions?

Question 3

18 month old got her vaccines that were due and a flu shot 10 days ago.  now she is breaking out in hives.  no symptoms or diet change.  related?

Accepted Answer

Delayed reaction: Your child may be having a delayed allergic reaction. You can use Benadryl (diphenhydramine) to control the hives.

Question 4

itchy red welts developed 10 days after getting flu shot. had similar reaction last year. no trouble breathing; last year welts went away after 14 days.  i think hives are a very rare side effect of flu shot, right? should i skip a flu shot next year

Accepted Answer

Flu vaccination: There is very rarely an allergic reaction associated with the influenza vaccination. Take Benadryl as directed for three days, and if the hives continue, please see your PCP. Watch for signs of respiratory difficulty, dizziness, and if these occur please see the emergency room.
The flu vaccination may be administered next year, but an allergist may advise additional testing.

Question 5

is it abnormal for my 3 year old to develop hives around the injection site of a flu vaccine? they didn't show up until the next day.

Accepted Answer

Injection site Rx: An injection site reaction is the appearance of skin changes and irritation at the location of an injection. Such reactions can be especially common with some types of drugs and in other cases might be the result of allergies or sensitivities. Some can be dangerous. If a patient notices skin changes, it is important to contact a doctor or nurse to discuss them.

Question 6

i broke out in hives right after dinner, starting at my lower torso. i also had the flu vaccine 4-5 hrs earlier. do i have food or vaccine allergy?

Accepted Answer

Vaccine more likely: Either one sounds possible, but I would be more suspicious of the vaccine. But it might be something else entirely. But to be completely safe, I suggest contacting the doctor's office where you were vaccinated; or your primary care provider if you were vaccinated outside a doctor's office, e.g. a pharmacy.

Question 7

is april or march too late to get your flu shot ?

Accepted Answer

: Not so.
Flu activity is not limited to Winter.  Certain flu strains have caused large outbreak even in summer, e.g., H1N1 strain in 2009.

Question 8

what if pain in armfrom flu shot doesn't go away?

Accepted Answer

It will: In my experience the pain after a flu shot always resolves.

Question 9

what is the definition or description of: flu shot?

Accepted Answer

Flu shot: It is the trivalent influenza vaccine which contains purified inactivated antigens against viral strains from a & b virus strains.

Question 10

how safe is a flu shot?

Accepted Answer

Very!!: Although side effects can occur, such as fever, soreness, occasional achiness, and theoretically very rare more serious problems, it is much safer than being infected with the potential side effects of the infection, up to and including death! immunize, immunize, immunize.

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Doctor answers about:

Hives after flu shot

A member asked:

What should you do if you get hives after a flu shot?

A member asked:

She got the hives a day after her flu shot. both her pediatrician and allergist said it's not from the shot (that was the only new thing in her life) one gave her a steroid drink (didn't work) and another gave her some chewing pills (didn't work). ?

A member asked:

18 month old got her vaccines that were due and a flu shot 10 days ago. now she is breaking out in hives. no symptoms or diet change. related?

A member asked:

Itchy red welts developed 10 days after getting flu shot. had similar reaction last year. no trouble breathing; last year welts went away after 14 days. i think hives are a very rare side effect of flu shot, right? should i skip a flu shot next year

A member asked:

Is it abnormal for my 3 year old to develop hives around the injection site of a flu vaccine? they didn't show up until the next day.

A member asked:

I broke out in hives right after dinner, starting at my lower torso. i also had the flu vaccine 4-5 hrs earlier. do i have food or vaccine allergy?

A member asked:

Is april or march too late to get your flu shot ?

A member asked:

What if pain in armfrom flu shot doesn't go away?

A member asked:

What is the definition or description of: flu shot?

A member asked:

How safe is a flu shot?

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