12:01 PM
Sunday 14 August 2022
I wrote – Nada Sami:
Some people develop slight bruising and swelling following undergoing a blood test, but in some cases the swelling may worsen and cause pain and feeling to the patient, and this is the result of a number of factors.
The Conselto reviews in the following report the most important factors that lead to the appearance of bruises following drawing blood, according to the “Health line”.
Bruising following a blood draw is usually harmless and does not require treatment, but if the bruise is large or accompanied by bleeding elsewhere, it may be a sign of a more serious condition.
Causes of bruising following blood draw
Bruises occur when the capillaries located directly under the skin are damaged, which leads to bleeding under the skin and is a discoloration under the surface of the skin from trapped blood, which may occur for a number of reasons, which are as follows:
damage to blood vessels
When the syringe is inserted, some capillaries may be damaged, leading to the formation of a bruise. This is not necessarily the fault of the person drawing the blood, but rather the weakness of the capillaries.
It’s also possible that your health care provider may need to insert the syringe several times to find a vein before drawing blood, compressing or damaging capillaries.
Veins are small and hard to find
If the person drawing the blood has any difficulty locating the vein or the veins are less visible, the vessels are small and hard to find, increasing the potential for damage to the blood vessel.
Do not put pressure on the arm following drawing blood
Another reason for a bruise is that the person drawing the blood does not put enough pressure on the injection site once the needle is removed, in which case the chances of blood leaking into the surrounding tissues increase.
Other causes of bruising following drawing blood
The chances of getting bruised increases following blood is drawn, in a number of cases, which are as follows:
Taking medicines called anticoagulants that reduce blood clotting, such as aspirin.
Taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and analgesics.
Take herbs and supplements, such as fish oil, ginger or garlic, which may also reduce your body’s ability to clot.
Having a medical condition such as Cushing’s syndrome, kidney and liver disease, hemophilia, and thrombocytopenia.
Older adults may also bruise more easily because their skin is thinner and contains less fat to protect blood vessels from injury.
How can bruising be avoided following drawing blood?
You can’t always avoid bruising following drawing blood, and some people tend to bruise more easily than others, but there are a number of tips that may help reduce the chances of bruising following blood drawing, which are as follows:
Avoid eating anything that can cause blood thinning in the days before and 24 hours following your blood is drawn, including over-the-counter NSAIDs.
Avoid lifting or lifting anything heavy using the arm from which the blood sample was drawn, because lifting heavy objects can put pressure on the needle site and remove the blood clot.
Wear appropriate clothing where the sleeve is wide and cannot put pressure on the arm.
Once the syringe is removed, a cotton swab and pressure should be placed on the site for a while, and the bandage should not be removed for a few hours following the blood is drawn.
– When you notice swelling or swelling at the injection site, it is preferable to put an ice pack to avoid aggravating the swelling.
– If the person suffers from fluidity or continuous exposure to bruises following drawing blood, he must inform the attending physician.
Read also: Why might we suddenly faint when blood is drawn?
