6 Things You Should Know about Steroid Shots

1. Steroid shots aren't performance-enhancing drugs.

When you hear "steroid shot" at your doctor's office, you might wonder if it's the same type of steroid that makes headlines in professional sports. While these medications share the word "steroid" in their name, they work in different ways in your body.

Medical steroid shots, also called corticosteroids, contain medications that mimic the effects of cortisol, a hormone your body makes to fight inflammation.

When your urgent care doctor gives you a steroid shot, it helps reduce swelling and calm down overactive immune responses. These shots are FDA-approved treatments used to help patients with conditions like arthritis, severe allergies, and respiratory infections.

Athletes sometimes receive these medical steroid shots to treat sports injuries or joint problems. A baseball pitcher with shoulder tendinitis or a runner with knee bursitis might get a cortisone injection to reduce inflammation and help with healing. These treatments are both legal and safe when given by medical professionals.

In contrast, anabolic steroids are synthetic substances that copy the effects of testosterone, primarily increasing muscle mass. You won't find these at your primary care doctor's office or at an urgent care clinic. While both types of medications are called steroids, they serve different purposes and have different effects on your body.

When your doctor recommends a steroid shot, you can feel confident knowing it's a standard medical treatment used to help your body heal and reduce inflammation. These medications don't build muscle or enhance athletic performance - they simply help control swelling and discomfort from various medical conditions.

2. Urgent care clinics use steroid shots to treat various conditions.

Steroid shots help treat many conditions in an urgent care setting. Your doctor might recommend a steroid shot if you come in with:

• Joint problems like arthritis or bursitis where inflammation causes pain and limits movement
• Allergic reactions, including hives from insect stings or severe seasonal allergies
• Breathing difficulties from asthma flares or severe allergic reactions
• Skin reactions such as poison ivy, poison oak, or eczema flares that haven't responded to other treatments

The type and location of your steroid shot depends on your specific condition. For joint pain, your doctor might inject the medication directly into the affected joint. For allergic reactions or skin conditions, you'll typically receive the shot in your arm or hip muscle.

However, steroid shots aren't right for every situation. Your urgent care doctor won't give you a steroid shot if you have:

• Recent sprains or strains, since these injuries need time to heal properly
• Active infections, as steroids can interfere with your body's ability to fight them
• Uncontrolled diabetes, since steroids can raise blood sugar
• A fever, which might indicate an underlying infection

Before giving you a steroid shot, your doctor will review your symptoms, medical history, and current medications to make sure this treatment option is safe for you.

3. Steroid shots won't provide instant relief.

If you receive a steroid shot, you might notice immediate numbness around the injection site. This happens because most steroid shots include a local anesthetic - a numbing medication similar to what you get at the dentist. While this anesthetic provides quick relief, it wears off in a few hours.

The steroid medication itself takes longer to work. Most patients begin to feel the effects within 24 to 48 hours after their injection. During this time, your body responds to the medication by reducing inflammation, which leads to decreased pain and improved mobility.

Some patients experience what doctors call a "steroid flare" - a temporary increase in discomfort at the injection site. This reaction typically starts a few hours after the shot, once the anesthetic wears off, and can last for about a day. Not everyone experiences this response, and having a flare doesn't mean the treatment isn't working.

You'll know the steroid is working when you notice:

• Reduced swelling in the affected area
• Decreased pain and Improved range of motion in joint conditions
• Easier breathing and reduced wheezing if you received the shot for respiratory issues
• Fading rash or reduced itching for skin conditions
• Reduction in hives or other allergic reactions
• Return to normal daily activities

The timing of relief varies from person to person and depends on factors like the condition being treated and your body's individual response to the medication.

4. Steroid shots provide symptom relief, but they don't treat or cure underlying conditions.

Steroid shots provide relief from symptoms, but they don't fix the underlying cause of your condition. Think of it like taking cold medicine when you have a virus - the medicine helps you feel better, but your immune system still needs to fight off the infection.

When you receive a steroid shot, the medication works by:

• Reducing inflammation that causes swelling and pain
• Calming down an overactive immune response
• Decreasing irritation in affected tissues
• Allowing improved movement and function

Managing these symptoms helps you feel better and can make daily activities easier. For conditions like arthritis or asthma, controlling inflammation gives your body a chance to work better, even though the underlying condition remains.

Your doctor will often recommend additional treatments alongside steroid shots. For joint problems, this might include physical therapy to strengthen supporting muscles or changes to your work setup and daily routine. You might also need other medications that target the root cause of your condition.

If you're receiving steroid shots for allergies or skin conditions, your treatment plan might include identifying and avoiding triggers, using daily maintenance medications, or making changes to your home environment. Regular check-ups with your primary care doctor help monitor your condition and adjust treatment as needed.

By combining steroid shots with other treatments, you get both immediate symptom relief and long-term management of your condition.

5. Steroid shots have several potential side effects.

Like any medication, steroid shots can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, lasting 24-48 hours after your injection. Your body responds this way because steroid shots contain medications that mirror cortisol, a natural hormone that affects many of your body's systems.

In the first few days after your shot, you might notice:

• A warm, flushed feeling in your face
• Changes in your sleep patterns
• Temporary feelings of restlessness
• Different appetite patterns
• Shifts in your mood

If you have diabetes, steroid shots can raise your blood sugar levels. Make sure to monitor your levels more often in the days following your injection and follow your doctor's guidance about managing any changes.

At the injection site, some people experience skin changes like lightening or thinning over time. Your doctor can help prevent these effects by limiting the number of injections you receive in one area.

Most side effects go away on their own within a few days. Staying hydrated and maintaining your regular sleep schedule can help you feel more comfortable during this time. However, contact your doctor if you notice:

• Intense pain at the injection site
• Fever
• Significant swelling
• Warmth or redness that spreads
• Any other reactions that worry you

While these side effects might sound concerning, remember that your urgent care doctor has recommended this treatment because its benefits outweigh the potential risks. Most people tolerate steroid shots well and experience relief from their symptoms with minimal discomfort.

6. Patients should always tell their doctor about underlying medical conditions before their steroid shot.

Before getting a steroid shot, your doctor needs to know about your complete medical history to ensure your safety and the best possible outcome. This includes any health conditions you have, such as diabetes, heart problems, or osteoporosis. People with these conditions can often still receive steroid shots, but may need special monitoring or adjusted treatment plans.

Tell your doctor if you:

• Have an active infection or fever
• Are pregnant or breastfeeding
• Take blood thinners or immune-suppressing medications
• Use steroid medications in any form
• Have recently received any vaccinations
• Take regular pain medications like ibuprofen or naproxen

This information helps your doctor make important decisions about your care. For example, if you have diabetes, your doctor might adjust the timing of your shot or recommend more frequent blood sugar checks. If you take blood thinners, your doctor may schedule your injection when your bleeding risk is lowest.

Some patients might need an alternative treatment based on their medical history. By sharing your complete health information with your doctor, you help ensure your treatment plan is both safe and effective for your specific situation.

Steroid shots can provide relief for many conditions, from joint pain to allergic reactions. While they don't cure underlying conditions, they can help you feel better and return to your daily activities. Your urgent care doctor can determine if a steroid shot is right for you based on your symptoms and medical history.

If you're experiencing persistent joint pain, severe allergies, or other conditions that might benefit from a steroid shot, visit a MedHelp urgent care clinic near you. Our compassionate and experienced providers will review your symptoms and medical history to create a treatment plan that works for you. Walk-ins are welcome for urgent care visits at all our Birmingham locations.