7 Ways to Ease a Sore Arm From Flu Shot – AARP

If youve had a flu vaccine, chances are youre no stranger to the sore arm that can linger a day or two after the shot its among the most common side effects. The reason for the soreness, doctors say, has less to do with the needle and more to do with the vaccine inside the syringe.

Its activating your immune system, says Kisha Davis, M.D., a family physician in Gaithersburg, Maryland, and a member of the board of directors of the American Academy of Family Physicians. Just like when you stub your toe and the blood rushes to that area, the same happens when you get a vaccine. Your arm is kind of calling in the resources to react to what has just happened, Davis says.

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For some people, the soreness is hardly noticeable. For others, it can be more pronounced. Everyone can have different responses, says Scott Selinger, M.D., an assistant professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at Dell Medical School, at the University of Texas at Austin. And while its no doubt a nuisance at the time, there is a silver lining to the side effect: Its telling us that your body recognized that vaccine; its mounting a response and its going to give you that protection later on, Davis says.

And more good news: There are a few things you can do before, during and after the flu shot or any vaccine for that matter to help ease the ache. Heres what the experts recommend.

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7 Ways to Ease a Sore Arm From Flu Shot - AARP