Injection site reaction: Hi. I was... - Pernicious Anaemi...

Pernicious Anaemia Society

31,808 members22,935 posts

Injection site reaction

jeneee1 profile image
4 Replies

Hi. I was diagnosed with B12 deficiency in December and had my loading doses then onto 3 monthly injections. As I did not feel this was enough I saw a private doctor who prescribed me weekly injections to be done subcutaneously at home. I have noticed that about 24 hours after I inject I get a coin sized raised red area by the injecton site which is irritated and lasts for a couple of days. I am waiting for response from the private doctor but wondered if anyone else had had a similar experience and if so if the reaction got worse as time went on? Thank you

Written by
jeneee1 profile image
jeneee1
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
4 Replies
Gambit62 profile image
Gambit62Administrator

acne type reactions are quite common with B12 - probably a reaction of micro-organisms on the skin which produce a chemical when exposed to B12 that irritates the skin.

jeneee1 profile image
jeneee1 in reply to Gambit62

Thank you for responding. I don't think I would call it an acne reaction. More of a hive -but only one around the injection site.

Deuto profile image
Deuto in reply to jeneee1

As Gambit62 said, acne is common but I notice you are injecting subcutaneously.

Many people here seem to inject this way without problem.

I normally do intramuscular injections into my thigh muscle without any problems. The two times I tried subcutaneous injections (into my thigh), the injection itself 'burnt' and I ended up with a 1 -2 inch size red patch under the skin which burnt rather than itched but then gradually disappeared over about 2 - 3 days. Size and colour was a bit like a hive.

Maybe some of us are better off going intramuscular rather than subcutaneous. Perhaps discuss this with your doctor. Intramuscular is not hard to do yourself and usually I don't feel anything.

An afterthought - how fast are you pushing the liquid out of the syringe? The slower the better as this allows the B12 to disperse better under the skin or in the muscle.

jade_s profile image
jade_s

I do subcut into the abdomen area and for a period of a few weeks had this reaction with every injection - red, very slightly raised, but mostly just itched like crazy (also starting about 24 hours after!). I started injecting in my lower abdomen rather than mid or upper and now rarely have this reaction. I think as gambit says, it must be some sort of reaction to whatever is on/just under the skin, perhaps combined with the injection site rubbing up against clothing and/or accumulation of sweat? (the lower abdomen site is less in contact).

You may also like...

skin reaction to B12 injections

I was prescribed the 6 injections every 2 days. Soon after the fourth injection I developed red...

B12 injection reaction

I’m in the UK, I had my first B12 injection yesterday and today I’m feeling very dizzy and unstable...

Site reactions

I’m self injecting B12 from reputable German chemist. I had no reaction from my first injection but...

Reaction to injections and tablets

to do. I've had blood test which shows my b12 is really low, dr called me in for injections. On the...

Reaction to hydroxocobalamin self injection

the needle. The injection site has bruised slightly and has a swelling (about the size of 1/2 a...