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What Causes Swollen Arm After Blood Is Drawn?

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Posted on Thu, 12 Nov 2015
Question: My daughter gave blood through the red cross today. When they inserted the needle a large air filled bubble formed underneath her skin. The supervisor came over and wiggled the needle until the blood started flowing. It then kept clotting and the procedure finally was aborted. 2 hours later her arm is the swollen twice the size of her other arm and still oozing blood. It is purple at the site and red everywhere around it. Does she need to go to the ER?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Mukund Savaskar (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Swollen Arm after failed Venus puncture for blood donation

Detailed Answer:
Brief Ans-Swollen Arm after failed Venus puncture for blood donation

Hi,Welcome for your query to HCM.
Read your query details and reviewed it with your health concerns of Swollen arm,where the Venus puncture failed.
My Impression-and Suggestions-
Based on the facts of your query,In My opinion,first failed attempt caused the air bubble,which gave rise to a failed Venus Puncture by a supervisor.The clot coming history is intriguing,as she seems to be healthy girl,and is the result of a failed Venus puncture with air bubble history.

In all this failed Venus Puncture rush/hush,it seems ,all forgot to compress the Venus puncture site.
A slow leak in next 2 hours lead to the swollen arm problem which you had.

Suggestions for the Treatment-
At Home-
Pressure at the failed Venus Puncture Site for 15 minutes in your case.
Rest /Elevation- for another 2 hrs.
At ER-
If the swelling of the affected arm does not regress,shift her to ER of nearby hospital.
Where Er Doctor would do Bleeding profile tests like BT(Bleeding Time)/CT(Clotting time) and Prothrombine Time(PT)
and Factor VIII and other deficiencies to find out the probable cause of the the continuous blood leak which occurred in your daughter's case.
-They may admit if blood pressure is low or would discharge her depending on situation.
Treatment with Drugs-
Tab Chymotrypsin Tab-/ Thrombophobe oint
Antibiotics -preventive doses of Ciplox Tab 500 mgm /
Rest Elevation at Home,and follow up daily for first 3 days time.
This is how I would plan / suggest to treat her in this emergency for your daughter and YOU.
Theme of management-To rule out the Deficiency of Bleeding factors,which could have caused this issue in your daughter, and for that Er
Physician would be needed.A casual attitude could create problem for your daughter.

Welcome for any further query or Give me more information if you want to ask more, Which I would love to treat it in next session.

Hope this reply would satisfy you and would help you to plan further treatment for your daughter in this hour of emergency for YOU Both.

Await any further query in this regard./If non questions , I will appreciate YOU,to write excellent feedback comments to express your experience in this emergency,to help the needy patients like YOU,at My clinic in HCM services.

Wishing fast recovery to your daughter.Keep Me updated if need be,so as to help you.

Good Day!!


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Mukund Savaskar (52 minutes later)
Thanks for your response. She has given blood many times in the past and has never had a problem with clotting or giving blood at all! I think they were not in the vein and am actually wondering if they were in an artery. She has it elevated and will follow up with her doctor in the morning. It looks terrible and is very painful, but I think she will manage! Thanks!
doctor
Answered by Dr. Mukund Savaskar (12 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Wrong Venus Puncture/not in the artery?

Detailed Answer:
Brief Ans-Wrong Venus Puncture/not in the artery?
Don't Worry At all.It would recover by morning by Rest/Elevation

Hi,Thanks for the update.
In view of the past normal story,and after reviewing the attached photo's don't worry at all.
Its just a failed Venus Puncture and not a arterial puncture as you fear,from what it looks as in the updated photographs of the affected arm
No need to go for tests,after I inspected your both the photos of the the arm in question.
Take treatment if need be after script if need be / or else no need even for that,as its very minor thing which Your body would take care off,by Morning.
So Don't worry.

Welcome for any further query or Give me more information if you want to ask more, Which I would love to treat it in next session.

Hope this reply would satisfy you and would help you to plan further treatment for your daughter in this hour of emergency for YOU Both.

Await any further query in this regard./If non questions , I will appreciate YOU,to write excellent feedback comments to express your experience in this emergency,to help the needy patients like YOU,at My clinic in HCM services.

Wishing fast recovery to your daughter.Keep Me updated if need be,so as to help you.

Good Day!!

Dr.Savaskar M.N. XXXXXXX Surgical Consultant
M.S.Genl-CVTS
Note: For further inquiries on surgery procedure and its risks or complications book an appointment now

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Mukund Savaskar

General Surgeon

Practicing since :1978

Answered : 3606 Questions

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What Causes Swollen Arm After Blood Is Drawn?

Brief Answer: Swollen Arm after failed Venus puncture for blood donation Detailed Answer: Brief Ans-Swollen Arm after failed Venus puncture for blood donation Hi,Welcome for your query to HCM. Read your query details and reviewed it with your health concerns of Swollen arm,where the Venus puncture failed. My Impression-and Suggestions- Based on the facts of your query,In My opinion,first failed attempt caused the air bubble,which gave rise to a failed Venus Puncture by a supervisor.The clot coming history is intriguing,as she seems to be healthy girl,and is the result of a failed Venus puncture with air bubble history. In all this failed Venus Puncture rush/hush,it seems ,all forgot to compress the Venus puncture site. A slow leak in next 2 hours lead to the swollen arm problem which you had. Suggestions for the Treatment- At Home- Pressure at the failed Venus Puncture Site for 15 minutes in your case. Rest /Elevation- for another 2 hrs. At ER- If the swelling of the affected arm does not regress,shift her to ER of nearby hospital. Where Er Doctor would do Bleeding profile tests like BT(Bleeding Time)/CT(Clotting time) and Prothrombine Time(PT) and Factor VIII and other deficiencies to find out the probable cause of the the continuous blood leak which occurred in your daughter's case. -They may admit if blood pressure is low or would discharge her depending on situation. Treatment with Drugs- Tab Chymotrypsin Tab-/ Thrombophobe oint Antibiotics -preventive doses of Ciplox Tab 500 mgm / Rest Elevation at Home,and follow up daily for first 3 days time. This is how I would plan / suggest to treat her in this emergency for your daughter and YOU. Theme of management-To rule out the Deficiency of Bleeding factors,which could have caused this issue in your daughter, and for that Er Physician would be needed.A casual attitude could create problem for your daughter. Welcome for any further query or Give me more information if you want to ask more, Which I would love to treat it in next session. Hope this reply would satisfy you and would help you to plan further treatment for your daughter in this hour of emergency for YOU Both. Await any further query in this regard./If non questions , I will appreciate YOU,to write excellent feedback comments to express your experience in this emergency,to help the needy patients like YOU,at My clinic in HCM services. Wishing fast recovery to your daughter.Keep Me updated if need be,so as to help you. Good Day!!