DebbieD - What you have described sounds normal. I used to get huge ones and man did they itch. The color varied from bright red to bluish/purplish. Overtime the site reactions have lessened.

Some tips that might help (or that have helped me):

Warm the area either by showering right before or with a warm wash cloth or hot pack.

Make sure the alcohol is completely dried before injecting.

Apply ice right after injecting and the next day (or that evening depending on when you inject).

You can massage the welts a day or so after the injection. This helps me quite a bit.

You are doing great, keep it up!