Does anyone else bruise like this when they have blood taken?

[CZroe]

I went to the doc back in Sept. and they took a vial of blood for some tests. The lab person accidentally put the wrong date in them so I had to come back in two days later to do it all over. When she saw the bruising she exclaimed "Oh my! Did I do that?!" I thought it was normal, since it happened the last time I gave blood several years earlier

I went to a specialist about something else a couple days ago and they, too, wanted to do some lab work with my blood. By the end of the day a bruise was visible. It worsened yesterday and is even darker today.

Is this normal? The direction/location is behind where the needle entered and almost seems more like it comes from removing the tape they use but I peeled slowly and carefully without too much discomfort so... I dunno.

 

[balloonshark]

Sometimes I do and other times I don't. Then again I'm on a blood thinner.

I think some people just suck at drawing blood. I usually tell them "If you can't find a good vein try the other arm".

 

[Fern]

I get my blood taken pretty regularly and that's never happened to me.

Fern

 

[dave_the_nerd]

I used to sell plasma. Whether or not I bruised up depended mostly on the skill of the person sticking me.

 

[Imp]

I've had it taken once. Never again... Did not have that.

 

[Artdeco]

Many phlebotomists are poorly trained and skilled, looks like they went for a tiny vein in the wrong place and went completely through the vein.

If you put direct pressure on the site after the veinipuncture for at least a minute, it will reduce the bruising.

Conversely, it could be lupus and AIDS/cancer.

 

[CraKaJaX]

I donate blood every ~56 days (I believe that's what it is) when the NY blood center comes to the office. As an official member of the 'gallon club' I can tell you I've never had that happen. I've never had a bad experience unlike my sister who passes out as soon as she sees a needle come out. So you either had a terrible nurse, or you're highly sensitive and bruise easily..?

 

[Nograts]

I bruise.

I'm not allowed to give blood to the red cross anymore though, I've been blacklisted.

 

[MongGrel]

My first wife was odd that way, you could even just poke her with a finger and she would get a bruise.

Was a few times she was in the hospital for knee surgeries or something along those lines, they would even have trouble getting an IV in right and she would have many bruises on her forearms.

I found out why my future father-in-law at the time more or less said "Make sure you have good health insurance" even prior to the marriage.

She was adopted, and ran off on me after about 5 years, but I won't dwell on the far past

 

[Anubis]

happened to me once in the 10+ years ive been giving blood
Happened when i have a whole unit, has never happened when donating Dbl Red

 

[CZroe]

Next time I'll ask an experienced heroin junkie to help. Thanks!

 

[Elixer]

I used to sell plasma. Whether or not I bruised up depended mostly on the skill of the person sticking me.

This.
Some people, you won't feel a thing, other people, you swear that they hate their job, and are making you pay the price.

 

[Anubis]

most of the stinging comes from the damn iodine they drown you in

 

[Ichinisan]

Got you beat there, bro.

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2145700

 

[umbrella39]

Yes, almost every time...

 

[Miramonti]

I almost never bruise like that, but I have easy veins to hit. In fact, my veins are so big it's hard to find my arm.

 

[Red Squirrel]

I give blood every now and then (think I'm like on my 17th time or something like that) and only had it happen once. Not really sure why it did it that one time, but it did go away after a few days.

The nurses always say I have really good veins and enjoy poking me.

Actually it's kinda cool to look when the needle goes in, it's interesting how little it hurts to consider how big it is.

 

[futurefields]

i dont think this is anything to be concerned about

 

[JM Aggie08]

Typically much worse for me, which is strange considering are hardly bruise. I look like a junkie after giving blood.

 

[Red Squirrel]

That's another thing too, if you shoot meth and stuff, always stick to the same arm, so when you donate blood you can use the clean one.

 

[OverVolt]

This doesn't reflect poorly on your health. That happens when they poke completely through your vein.

I've had it once when I was young. Its just a bad stick.

She felt bad.

 

[Rakehellion]

It's normal.

 

[disappoint]

This doesn't reflect poorly on your health. That happens when they poke completely through your vein.

I've had it once when I was young. Its just a bad stick.

She felt bad.

This is correct. It's called an infiltration. Some veins are small and there isn't much leeway for error.

Try drinking lots of fluids and salty foods to get your blood pressure up a bit before you have your blood drawn unless you have high blood pressure. Also warm up the body by exercise or wearing warm clothing which will cause vasodilation.

 

[Charmonium]

I normally use the veins on the back of my hand. They tend to be nice and plump while the ones in my arm go into hiding. Don't normally get a bruise but did last time. I think it was because I held the gauze down too tight on the needle as they were pulling it out.

 

[John Connor]

Many phlebotomists are poorly trained and skilled, looks like they went for a tiny vein in the wrong place and went completely through the vein.

If you put direct pressure on the site after the veinipuncture for at least a minute, it will reduce the bruising.

Conversely, it could be lupus and AIDS/cancer.

I don't remember the long ass names for the veins, but there are three in that location on the arm they can draw from. Why they used that vein I don't know. Perhaps they couldn't find the "main vein." whatever it's called.

OP, I have had blood drawn quite a few times recently and I notice a slight brushing. Have your doc look at it.

Perhaps they will take more blood to find out why... LOL