Lump at injection site

[Curlygal]

Hi,

I did my injection in my thigh as usual today, unfortunately I hit a vein and a little blood came out. There's a small lump at the injection site, should I be worried? It hasn't happened before. I know I'm probably just being silly! 🤔

[Foggyme Administrator]

Nothing to worry about Curlygirl. You will have nicked a small vein near the surface of the skin and the lump is a little bruising under the skin, caused by a small bleed. It happens sometimes. The lump will disappear as the bruise resolves...as bruises do.

If it happens again, just use a clean tissue and apply pressure over the site of the bleed, until it stops (usually stops quite quickly).

Phew...relief 🙂

[Curlygal in reply to Foggyme]

Thanks Foggyme ...I have hit a vein before and had a bruise, but never a lump! I did apply pressure, and it did stop quickly, just wondering why a lump this time? I'm feeling a little hypochondriacy right now (pandemic, my mother is having chemo, stress....) Also it's jolly sore! Aargh 😕

[Foggyme Administrator in reply to Curlygal]

Curlygirl...it may be that the injection didn't go far enough into the muscle and that some B12 back-tracked into the subcutaneous tissue and hence could be felt (or perhaps seen) as a lump under the skin. Again, nothing to worry about. You'll still get the full dose of B12 and the lump should subside as the B12 is absorbed into the body.

Some inject subcutaneously so it's worth noting that when this is not done deep enough (i.e. into the transdermal layer just under the skin), then a lump and red staining can appear (because the injectable B12 is bright red). Again nothing to worry about.

In the unlikely event that the lump becomes more swollen, more painful, or new red inflammation appears around the injection site, then best to get it checked by your practice nurse or GP to ensure that there's no infection (very unlikely and would appear over time, not immediately after injection).

Any discomfort is likely due to pressure from expansion in the tissues and should subside as the lump does,

So sorry to hear about your mum - hope all goes well for her.

And yes...these are very strange times, aren't they 🤨 🙂x

[Curlygal in reply to Foggyme]

Thank you ❤️. It's not sore any more, there's still a wee lump and a developing bruise. But I'm not worried now.

[Foggyme Administrator in reply to Curlygal]

Good to hear Curlygal. Thank you for the update 🙂x

[wedgewood]

Just putting in my peneth ( spelling?) of reassurance . Yes , it happens , but don’t worry . This pandemic situation is taking its toll on our mental health there is no doubt . It’s no wonder that many things are bothering us . Hope that Foggyme’s words have reassured you . Best wishes .

[Curlygal in reply to wedgewood]

Yes, I think we're all on edge anyway, it's a weird and scary time.

[deniseinmilden]

I can't see any reason for it to be a problem and if you are feeling more sensitive than usual then I trust your judgement - you would have already done more about it if you knew it was a problem!

Biggest thing is to be extra positive about your next jab. If you are feeling wobbly then your jabs are more important than ever.

Sending you lots of sympathy and all the best for your Mum's recovery. x

[Curlygal in reply to deniseinmilden]

Thank you for your kindness. My mum has stage 3 breast cancer, I can't visit until she finishes the chemo because of the infection risk.

Yes, I knew it was probably nothing, the lump, but you know what it's like when you're stressed. Every little thing is noticed more acutely.

[deniseinmilden in reply to Curlygal]

I know and understand!

I trust your judgement! x

[Bonjourtristesse]

I’m not sure if you’re injecting sub cutaneously or IM. When I do subcutaneous the ‘lump’ is the b12 liquid and it gradually disperse over maybe a day as it’s absorbed into the body.

[Curlygal in reply to Bonjourtristesse]

It's IM. I don't know what happened this time!

[Bonjourtristesse in reply to Curlygal]

I think the bruise is a bit lumpy also. As the bruise heals the lump goes.