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What Causes Numbness In Arm After Blood Is Drawn?

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Posted on Mon, 5 Oct 2015
Question: Follow ip regarding question about arm falling asleep. Attached is a picture of area where blood was drawn. Does it look unusual? Is my arm falling asleep related to blood test?
Hello. I noticed my left arm falling asleep past few days from time time, especially pinky finger. I had blood drawn from that arm a few days ago. Should i be concerned?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
a blood test cannot cause anything but local symptoms

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

drawing blood from a peripheral vein may only cause local symptoms like swelling. I don't exactly understand what's the meaning of "asleep arm". If you mean that your arm is not responsive then this may be caused by neurological problems and you need clinical assessment by a physician. If you only mean that you have some bruising or swelling around the area of the puncture then this is normal and will heal completely within a few days.

Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (6 minutes later)
Asleep arm/fingers means tingling feeling when like when foot falls asleep after staying in one position too long.

Need to move it around to get it feeling normal again. Should I be concerned, are you saying blood drawn from arm cannot cause dvt blood clot? How about. We've damage?
I meant to write how about NERVE damage.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
unlikely to cause damage

Detailed Answer:
The tingling is unrelated to the blood drawing. If it can get better by moving your hand it could be related to spinal problems (to the cervical spine). The needle cannot possibly cause that damage and even if it did, we wouldn't expect the tingling to be periodic or transient. It would be rather stable.

No DVT is possible either, which is very rare anyway regarding the upper extremities.

Tingling is a concerning symptom and needs investigation. The first thing you should do is to visit your doctor to assess your sensory nerves and determine the involved region.

Kind Regards!
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1999

Answered : 3809 Questions

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What Causes Numbness In Arm After Blood Is Drawn?

Brief Answer: a blood test cannot cause anything but local symptoms Detailed Answer: Hello, drawing blood from a peripheral vein may only cause local symptoms like swelling. I don't exactly understand what's the meaning of "asleep arm". If you mean that your arm is not responsive then this may be caused by neurological problems and you need clinical assessment by a physician. If you only mean that you have some bruising or swelling around the area of the puncture then this is normal and will heal completely within a few days. Kind Regards!