Pain from pricks

Almost every person living in the conditions of a modern developed civilization knows by his own experience what pain from injections is. The fact that the injection is a painful manipulation is not a secret for anybody. But sometimes, such painful sensations not only remain for a long time after the procedure itself, but can also increase and appear on fairly large areas of the body around the site of the injection.

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Why there is pain after injections

The pain from pricks arises from the following reasons: 

• Abscess (the so-called purulent inflammatory process in the soft tissues, which results in the formation of a cavity filled with pus). Abscesses result from inadequate adherence to sterility rules when performing an injection. 
• An allergic reaction to the injection itself can also cause a prolonged and particularly acute painful sensation. In addition, other indicators indicate an allergic reaction: urticaria, acute conjunctivitis, acute rhinitis, Quincke's edema, anaphylactic shock. A person may suffer from allergic reactions to the administration of various drugs in the form of an injection. All described symptoms are most often manifested within half an hour after the done prick. 
• Hematoma during intravenous injection. In the event that the puncture during the intravenous injection is done incorrectly, and both venous walls are punctured, the blood enters the tissues and from this a clearly visible dark purple stain forms under the skin. This is the hematoma. In cases of its occurrence, it is necessary to press the injured place using cotton wool with alcohol, and after a while apply a slightly warming compress. Further, venipuncture should be performed on the other hand until the heal point of the hematoma is fully healed. 
• Infiltrate is a complication that occurs as a result of injection and is the most common cause causing pain from injections. To cause the appearance of infiltrate can be as a prick, for which a stupid needle was used, and in the event that a short needle that is intended for subcutaneous or intradermal injections is used for intramuscular injection. In addition, frequent injections in the same place or in the wrong place can also cause severe pain and the appearance of an infiltrate. 
• Medication embolism. This complex term belongs to an equally complex condition that can end for a person lethal. Strangely enough, but the injection can also cause it. Namely, in the event that the nurse enters the injection of oil solutions intramuscularly or subcutaneously and the needle enters the vessel. In the case of such an error, an oil appears in the artery, which clogs it. The result is necrosis of surrounding tissues due to disruption of their nutrition. If the pain from the injection does not subside, but rather only intensifies, there is noticeable reddening or blueing with a purple tint and there is an increase in the total and local body temperature, then one can suspect necrosis. In the worst cases, being in a vein, the oil quickly enough along with the blood flow is in the pulmonary vessels. As a result, there is a pulmonary embolism, testify to which will be a strong cough, attacks of suffocation, a feeling of increased pressure in the chest, cyanosis (the upper half of the trunk turns blue). 
• Necrosis of the tissues can arise as a result of several reasons. Among them, a large amount of irritant, introduced by mistake under the skin and an unsuccessful intravenous injection. This happens when both venous punctures are punctured when the prick is pierced, or the needle does not pierce any wall of the vein at all. If there was a drug ingestion in the subcutaneous space, it is necessary very quickly to take measures to localize its location. 
• Damage to nerve trunks, too, provokes pain from injections. This condition can be practically not perceptible to a person, but can also be a big threat to his health. It occurs under the influence of many factors: incorrect choice of the site for the injection, blockage of the vessel, which nourishes the nerve, in the event that the depot of the drug is in the immediate vicinity of the nerve. This complication can occur both with intravenous and intramuscular injections and sometimes leads to neuritis, and sometimes to complete paralysis of the extremities. 
• Broken needle. This incidence has often occurred as a result of the use of old needles that have already worn out. Now such a breakdown factor is practically absent, as all injections are carried out with disposable needles and syringes. In addition, a sharp contraction of the buttock muscles with an intramuscular injection can also provoke needle breakage. This can happen if the patient is not relaxed enough, do not have a preliminary conversation with him, or make a prick in a standing position. 
• Thrombophlebitis can also become a complication of improper injection. If intravenous injections are often done in the same place or using a blunt needle, then an inflammation of the vein can occur, and a clot is quite possible in it. If the vein formed infiltrate, the injection site is quite painful and there is hyperemia of the skin - therefore, there is every reason to suspect thrombophlebitis.

Who is to blame and what to do?

Of course, in all cases of complications that cause pain from injections, except allergic reactions, the incompetent hospital staff is guilty. Little-experienced or, simply, non-responsible nurses, unfortunately, are encountered more often. Accordingly, no one can save themselves from getting in the literal sense of the word, into bad hands.

But, if you already have an unpleasant experience of getting painful and substandard injections, you have every right to complain to the senior nurse, the treating doctor or the head of the hospital department. Also, you can always contact another nurse, asking you to give you the necessary injection.