i got a blood test yesterday and my arm is now purple and blue where the needle was put in, i can see the path of my vein for an inch and half from the purple and blue. Is this okay, is it infected? I remember giving blood a couple years back but it never turned out like this.
2007-11-04 03:16:05 · 4 answers · asked by greeneyes 1 in Health ➔ Other - Health
The chances that the needle was infected are about zero. Seriously, I give IV injections every day and I would never use a damaged needle.
The blood test site should not usually have that sort of 1.5" long reaction. If the person drawing blood had to "hunt arround for the vein" then there would be some bruising.
Put a warm compress on it today and tomorrow. If it does not help make it fade, see a doctor. It is probably a bruise.
If it is hot or swelling or hurts, see a doctor right away.
2007-11-04 03:30:33 · answer #1 · answered by WhoKnows?1995 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is not unusual for medical personnel to accidentally hit a muscle or otherwise cause bruising. It will go back to normal, in time; avoid touching it. No treatment or medications will help reduce the coloration or speed-up the healing, and may, in fact, worsen it. If it's sore, ice it down for no more than ten minutes at a time. You didn't say where the needle was placed, but I'll assume it was the arm; as such, if you're embarrassed by the discoloration, hide it with a long sleeve shirt. If you're pre-college, most kids will think it's cool; if you're an adult, most people won't think twice about it.
2007-11-04 04:10:41 · answer #2 · answered by skaizun 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Checking with the doc can't hurt but unless it is red and hot it is likely not infected. Just someone who was not good at sticking the needle in. Probably just a bruise.
2007-11-04 03:22:16 · answer #3 · answered by ziggy_brat 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think you'd better check with the doctor just in case the needle was infected.
2007-11-04 03:20:42 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋