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Swollen, Sore Forearm With Purplish Red Bruise, Difficulty Extending Arm After Blood Donation. Is This Normal?
Hi, I donated blood last week, Monday, on my school s campus. A day after doing so my forearm was swollen. The day afterwards swelling had lessened, but I discovered a large bruised area on the bottom side of my forearm. This area ran down most of the side of my forearm and was purple and red (much like how a bruise would look). The bruising is still currently present, but the swelling has gone down a bit. There is now bruising close to the needle entry site, and my forearm has gotten increasingly sore, and it is painful for me to fully extend my arm. Should I worry about this, or is this somewhat normal and should I wait it out? Thanks, James
Thu, 12 Dec 2013
Hi James!
welcome to HCM!
No,this is not normal after blood donation but it is the common complication of donation. Your symptoms bruising, discolouration, swelling and local pain are caused by blood flowing out of damaged vessels and accumulating in the soft tissues. As the volume of the haematoma increases, swelling occurs.
Pressure of swelling on nerves results in neurologic symptoms like pain radiating down in forearm and hand, and of peripheral tingling.Donot worry these symptoms will resolve within 2 weeks.You can ice the swollen part frequently,take analgesics and antiinflammatory medicine.Take care!
welcome to HCM!
No,this is not normal after blood donation but it is the common complication of donation. Your symptoms bruising, discolouration, swelling and local pain are caused by blood flowing out of damaged vessels and accumulating in the soft tissues. As the volume of the haematoma increases, swelling occurs.
Pressure of swelling on nerves results in neurologic symptoms like pain radiating down in forearm and hand, and of peripheral tingling.Donot worry these symptoms will resolve within 2 weeks.You can ice the swollen part frequently,take analgesics and antiinflammatory medicine.Take care!
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