Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

injection sites

I feel like a real whinny posting this question, but here goes anyway.  my injections sites are fine for a few days after I give myself the pegasys, but about 3 days out a deep red spot appears about the size of a fifty cent piece and and they stay.  I still have a red spot from 5 weeks ago,  it has lightned but still visible.  There is no infection and any other problems.  It looks like the pegasys just is so disruptive to the skin it almost destroys it for awhile.  Is anyone else experiencing this.  I think I really need some more injection sites to use besides the abdomen and the upper legs.   thanks all
Best Answer
Avatar universal
I think you'll find that a lot of people have irritation at the injection site.  There were a few things that we found to be very helpful, and which reduced the redness at the site post-injection.  One, make sure you've warmed up the Pegasys between your hands before, you don't want to inject cold interferon.  Also, massaging the area for a few minutes post-injection was very helpful.  Once we started doing these two things, the redness went away for the most part.  There were times that we could still see some redness, but it was MUCH better.  Hope this is helpful.
17 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
1840891 tn?1431547793
The other reason to warm up the syringe first is comfort -  while never exactly painful, the injections are a lot less comfortable if the Pegasys is still a little cold. I learned this when I was in a hurry one night.
Helpful - 0
1654058 tn?1407159066
I gave mine in tummy fat and saved thighs for Procrit. My tummy was sooo itchy n red. 4 weeks off peg and it's cleared up. I can even wear a bikini. haha. Still have bruising from procrit on thighs, so I may NOT attempt that though.
Karen :)
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks for the advice.  I have tried cold and heat applied to the area for a few minutes after the injection, but I still get the nasty little spots.  Oh well small price to pay if it works, and they will go away eventually.  Thanks and good luck to you
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have them on all my injection spots and i always warm up my Inf prior to injection.

i try not to inject in the same spot twice, it will be near by, but if it's red already i avoid that spot.  

I have 4 places I inject, on the right and left side of my stomache and on my right and left thigh.  

I now have very large red spots in all those area's going from many weeks back i suppose.  

They do go away eventually, but it doesn't look very nice and mine get dry and itchy.

keep an eye on it though, some people have a worse reaction then others.

let your doctor know if it gets out of control.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
WOW I always inject cold inerferon I didnt know we should warm it up I get red spots to but I ignore them.  I will try that on fridays shot thank you.
Helpful - 0
302488 tn?1337551241
i also have the redness.  i use my stomach every time.  the redness does slowly fade...good luck with tx
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks, I will show the doc and try all the good advice.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks Dee, it's always good to know others have the same reaction.  Take care
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks Stormy,  I have been warming the injection some but obviously not long enough.  I will also try massaging this week.  
Helpful - 0
1669790 tn?1333662595
All good advice above to follow.  I had a reaction, but it didn't usually last more than a week.  When choosing a spot to inject on the stomach, I stayed clear of the belt line to avoid further irritation from pressure and rubbing.  The site did get a lil rashy and red, making it a challenge to find a clear spot for the next one.  We all react a little different to Inf.  Although this is normal, I'd still show the doc at your next appt.  Good luck moving forward.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi,
I agree with stormy, When I went the first round with Peg-intron I made sure
the interferon was taken out of the frige a good half hour or so so it was at room temp. I used it on my stomach and along with massaging the injection site after I always kept a small bag of frozen peas in the freezer to put on the injection site for a few minutes,
      All through my treatment I never had a rash or any reaction doing it that way.
Helpful - 0
1652596 tn?1342011626
i had the same experiences for the first two months.  after that i did not get any more red spots on my thighs.  you'll be fine.  belle
Helpful - 0
862235 tn?1336060295
I had red circles that looked like softball strikes. They were about 4" (10cm) in diameter. They would appear about 4 days after and they would last about 6 weeks. They would itch like crazy for about two weeks. I always used my thighs, never my stomach. By the end of TX I had no hair left on my thighs at all. It all returned to normal within about 4 months after TX. The hair was back. In fact I had more hair than before....on my shoulders. Strange.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
My legs also did the same followed by a black & blue. If I injected close to the muscle I bruised. Moving left or right of the top of my thigh muscle I didn't get the red circle nor the black & blue.
Helpful - 0
317787 tn?1473358451
Hi there, yes, what you are experiencing is normal.  I used my stomach the entire time just moving to another place each time.  I tried my legs but it bruised to bad
Good luck, don't worry
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I had the same.. but, my spots were much bigger.  It will all go away when you are done..  
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Hepatitis C Community

Top Hepatitis Answerers
317787 tn?1473358451
DC
683231 tn?1467323017
Auburn, WA
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Answer a few simple questions about your Hep C treatment journey.

Those who qualify may receive up to $100 for their time.
Explore More In Our Hep C Learning Center
image description
Learn about this treatable virus.
image description
Getting tested for this viral infection.
image description
3 key steps to getting on treatment.
image description
4 steps to getting on therapy.
image description
What you need to know about Hep C drugs.
image description
How the drugs might affect you.
image description
These tips may up your chances of a cure.
Popular Resources
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.