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What Causes Swelling And Bruise Mark Around Injection Site?
Question: Good Evening,
I had a lab test done today where they drew two vials of blood. Went routinely as expected and got my cotton ball bandaid and off I went. There was nothing more there at the time other then the little red prick mark. About three hours latter the site of the needle prick swelled up about the size of a grape cut in half and was purple. The bubble has subsided but my arm feels swollen and there is now a half dollar size purplish bruise mark. Should I go to the ER? Is this a clot reaction? I've had blood drawn before and never had this happen.
I had a lab test done today where they drew two vials of blood. Went routinely as expected and got my cotton ball bandaid and off I went. There was nothing more there at the time other then the little red prick mark. About three hours latter the site of the needle prick swelled up about the size of a grape cut in half and was purple. The bubble has subsided but my arm feels swollen and there is now a half dollar size purplish bruise mark. Should I go to the ER? Is this a clot reaction? I've had blood drawn before and never had this happen.
Brief Answer:
No need to go the ER. It will subside with home remedy.
Detailed Answer:
Dr. Hanif warmly Welcomes you!
Thanks for consulting at my virtual clinic. I have carefully worked through your case, and can realize your health worries. Being your physician, I will take care all of your medical concerns.
When a Phlebotomist pricks the needle into the vein, the needle is supposed to be there inside the lumen and should NOT pass across the lower wall of the vein deep into the peripheral space. But many a times it happens that the needle passes across both the vessel walls surpassing the lumen. It causes the seepage of blood from the deeper sided wall of the vein. The upper side wall of the vein is cotton ball bandage pressed and safe.
Now just take Ibuprofen if you feel pain and the swelling is self limiting. It will go away with time. Yes the accumulated blood underneath the skin is seen as bluish/purple patch of the size of a coin. Don't worry, it will all dissolve with time. Apply heat to increase circulation for rapid recovery.
Have a wonderful time ahead. Hope I answered all of your questions. Let me know if you have any further clinical concerns. I will be happy to get back to you shortly. If satisfied here, please give a five star rating and don't forget to close the discussion.
Regards!
DR. XXXXXXX HANIF
USA
No need to go the ER. It will subside with home remedy.
Detailed Answer:
Dr. Hanif warmly Welcomes you!
Thanks for consulting at my virtual clinic. I have carefully worked through your case, and can realize your health worries. Being your physician, I will take care all of your medical concerns.
When a Phlebotomist pricks the needle into the vein, the needle is supposed to be there inside the lumen and should NOT pass across the lower wall of the vein deep into the peripheral space. But many a times it happens that the needle passes across both the vessel walls surpassing the lumen. It causes the seepage of blood from the deeper sided wall of the vein. The upper side wall of the vein is cotton ball bandage pressed and safe.
Now just take Ibuprofen if you feel pain and the swelling is self limiting. It will go away with time. Yes the accumulated blood underneath the skin is seen as bluish/purple patch of the size of a coin. Don't worry, it will all dissolve with time. Apply heat to increase circulation for rapid recovery.
Have a wonderful time ahead. Hope I answered all of your questions. Let me know if you have any further clinical concerns. I will be happy to get back to you shortly. If satisfied here, please give a five star rating and don't forget to close the discussion.
Regards!
DR. XXXXXXX HANIF
USA
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Thank you for taking my question.
Why would this bump/bubble show up three hours later after the lab was done?
Someone said it may be a thrombus, but not sure obviously which is why I am leaning on your professional advice.
Currently my muscle groups on the arm like the bicep, triceps and even part of my shoulder feels sore and aches. I am also experiencing what I am calling hot flashes where sudden I feel hot and flustered.
Is this all normal? Should I just take some ibuprofen and call it a night or do you think I need to be seen?
Thanks again.
Why would this bump/bubble show up three hours later after the lab was done?
Someone said it may be a thrombus, but not sure obviously which is why I am leaning on your professional advice.
Currently my muscle groups on the arm like the bicep, triceps and even part of my shoulder feels sore and aches. I am also experiencing what I am calling hot flashes where sudden I feel hot and flustered.
Is this all normal? Should I just take some ibuprofen and call it a night or do you think I need to be seen?
Thanks again.
Brief Answer:
Yes this is all normal course of the disease.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back with a follow-up!
Your concerns are genuine, as you never had a situation like this before.
There is a normal mechanism of blood clotting when some vein is punctured so there is slow oozing of blood over a period of time. There is now an empty hollow space subcutaneously where blood can accumulate fast. That's why it took hours to accumulate.
No it isn't a thrombus. It is all outside the vein. Thrombus is dangerous and is when there is a blood clot inside the vessel lumen and it may travel with blood to the heart and then anywhere in body to cause damages. You are safe. This isn't like this.
Massage the painful muscle areas with Bengay Ultra Stretch Gel and apply heat padding too. It will give you a soothing relief.
It is all going to be normal and fine soon. Just take Ibuprofen and stay cool and calm. You don't need to bother much.
Have a wonderful time ahead. Hope I answered all of your questions. Let me know if you have any further clinical concerns. I will be happy to get back to you shortly. If satisfied here, please give a five star rating and don't forget to close the discussion.
Regards!
DR. XXXXXXX HANIF
USA
Yes this is all normal course of the disease.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back with a follow-up!
Your concerns are genuine, as you never had a situation like this before.
There is a normal mechanism of blood clotting when some vein is punctured so there is slow oozing of blood over a period of time. There is now an empty hollow space subcutaneously where blood can accumulate fast. That's why it took hours to accumulate.
No it isn't a thrombus. It is all outside the vein. Thrombus is dangerous and is when there is a blood clot inside the vessel lumen and it may travel with blood to the heart and then anywhere in body to cause damages. You are safe. This isn't like this.
Massage the painful muscle areas with Bengay Ultra Stretch Gel and apply heat padding too. It will give you a soothing relief.
It is all going to be normal and fine soon. Just take Ibuprofen and stay cool and calm. You don't need to bother much.
Have a wonderful time ahead. Hope I answered all of your questions. Let me know if you have any further clinical concerns. I will be happy to get back to you shortly. If satisfied here, please give a five star rating and don't forget to close the discussion.
Regards!
DR. XXXXXXX HANIF
USA
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Thank you again for answering these questions.
It was just odd to have no issues at all and then all of a sudden three hours later a raised bubble formed and left this purple mark. My arm is still sore in the surrounding muscle groups today.
How long does this condition usually last or how long can I expect the pain and discomfort last?
I greatly appreciated your previous answers.
Thanks!
It was just odd to have no issues at all and then all of a sudden three hours later a raised bubble formed and left this purple mark. My arm is still sore in the surrounding muscle groups today.
How long does this condition usually last or how long can I expect the pain and discomfort last?
I greatly appreciated your previous answers.
Thanks!
Brief Answer:
It may take upto a week or so for complete recovery.
Detailed Answer:
I really appreciate your thoughts and health concerns, and welcome you with this follow up query.
Well, it seems odd but the blood to come out and to show as a purple mark it takes time and looks like it came out suddenly after a long time of 3 hours. But this is the course of the disease and it is like it came through in your case too.
As far as time window is concerned for the complete recovery and relief from pain, it depends upon your body, and your care for the issue. Apply hot sponges (dipping/drenching a cloth in warm water and applying it for 20 min on the area is a good technique for early recovery).
Take Ibuprofen for pain and apply Bengay Ultra Stretch Gel on the sore muscles to get relief. It is now just a matter of time, nothing serious I will add. After some days you may follow up with a new picture of the arm and I will see the progress and we will look into the matter if you need some extra medical interventions. But I hope you will not need that.
Have a wonderful time ahead. Hope I answered all of your questions. Let me know if you have any further clinical concerns. I will be happy to get back to you shortly. If satisfied here, please give a five star rating and don't forget to close the discussion.
Regards!
DR. XXXXXXX HANIF
USA
It may take upto a week or so for complete recovery.
Detailed Answer:
I really appreciate your thoughts and health concerns, and welcome you with this follow up query.
Well, it seems odd but the blood to come out and to show as a purple mark it takes time and looks like it came out suddenly after a long time of 3 hours. But this is the course of the disease and it is like it came through in your case too.
As far as time window is concerned for the complete recovery and relief from pain, it depends upon your body, and your care for the issue. Apply hot sponges (dipping/drenching a cloth in warm water and applying it for 20 min on the area is a good technique for early recovery).
Take Ibuprofen for pain and apply Bengay Ultra Stretch Gel on the sore muscles to get relief. It is now just a matter of time, nothing serious I will add. After some days you may follow up with a new picture of the arm and I will see the progress and we will look into the matter if you need some extra medical interventions. But I hope you will not need that.
Have a wonderful time ahead. Hope I answered all of your questions. Let me know if you have any further clinical concerns. I will be happy to get back to you shortly. If satisfied here, please give a five star rating and don't forget to close the discussion.
Regards!
DR. XXXXXXX HANIF
USA
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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