One of the most frequent procedures you may encounter at a clinic is a blood draw, often known as a venipuncture. Blood tests can provide a wealth of information about your general health. Most people don’t find it to be particularly enjoyable, and others report feeling sore or lightheaded afterwards.
No matter how unimportant or important it is for you to have your blood drawn, making a few fast preparations can make the procedure much simpler. Headache after blood draw? You’ll find the answer below in depth.
Blood draw
A process when blood is drawn from a vein using a needle, typically for laboratory examination. A blood sample may also be taken to treat some blood problems by removing extra red blood cells from the blood. also known as venipuncture and phlebotomy.
How to draw blood?
The volume of blood required determines how long the procedure will take in most cases.
A little amount of blood can be drawn for a sample in a matter of minutes as opposed to giving blood, which can take up to ten minutes.
Although the steps may differ based on who is drawing the blood and for what reason, the person drawing the blood will generally follow these steps:
- You will be asked to reveal one arm, after which a tourniquet will be applied to that limb. As a result, the veins become more visible and back up with blood.
- Find a vein that seems simple to reach, preferably a big, obvious vein. To determine the borders and potential size, they may feel a vein.
- Use an alcohol pad or another method of cleaning to remove the obstruction in the vein. It’s possible that they won’t have any trouble getting the needle into the vein. If so, they might need to seek a different vein.
To reach the vein, successfully insert a needle into the skin. In order to collect blood, the needle is typically attached to specific tubing or a syringe. - In order to stop further bleeding, remove the tourniquet and take out the needle from the arm while gently applying pressure with a gauze or a bandage. The puncture site will probably be bandaged by the individual taking the blood sample.
- Donations of some blood products might take longer. This is valid for apheresis, a unique form of blood donation. By using this approach, a person can donate blood that can be further broken down into platelets or plasma.
Bruising after blood draw
It is typical to experience minor bruising following a blood draw. When a blood artery is injured, blood leaks into the tissue beneath your skin, resulting in a bruise. Blood clots typically result in discoloration that is darker than the surrounding skin.
Capillaries become clogged with blood, which eventually drains out to leave the recognizable black-and-blue (or purple) mark. A bruise may also develop if medical practitioners extract a needle from a vein without exerting sufficient pressure on it. This article explains the causes of post-blood-extraction bruises as well as preventative measures.
Does getting blood drawn hurt?
Everyone reacts differently to having their blood drawn. While some people aren’t at all concerned by it, others fear that they might faint at the sight of a needle. A blood draw shouldn’t hurt in the hands of a trained phlebotomist or nurse, but you could feel some discomfort at first.
Why do I get a headache after blood draw?
A headache is a fairly typical adverse effect following blood collection. The vasovagal reaction, your neurological system’s physical response, may also be to blame. You can feel better by eating a balanced diet, drinking enough water, and avoiding strenuous physical activity. It is advised to get lots of rest.
You can have your blood drawn in two different ways: for medical tests or to donate blood.
Everyone has one of these performed at some point during their lifespan because they are so frequent. Although the treatment is quite straightforward and the needle doesn’t hurt when it goes into your arm, some people may find the side effects to be challenging.
The majority of people find it unpleasant and have some light wooziness afterwards. One of the most frequently mentioned problems is having a headache after having blood drawn. First, let’s examine why this occurs and what you may do to reduce this negative effect.
How to get rid of headache before blood drawn
There are always things you may take to immediately reduce getting a headache after having your blood drawn. These are really a few straightforward steps you can take to ensure a smooth process; they are not very exceptional.
Before having blood taken, stay hydrated. Your blood volume increases and your veins become plumper and simpler to access when you are hydrated.
Eat a nutritious dinner. Eat a nice, home-cooked, healthful dinner that includes whole grains, proteins, and carbs. Food acts as fuel for our bodies, keeping us moving steadily and preventing dizziness when blood is collected.
When donating platelets, wait at least two days after taking aspirin before having blood collected.
How to get rid of headache after blood drawn
There is a remote possibility that you may continue to have headaches or lightheadedness even after doing everything listed above. Therefore, even after having your blood collected, you must use caution during the following 24 hours. Follow these simple actions as soon as your blood is drawn:
- Take in a lot of water.
- Eat cookies or biscuits because they contain sugar.
- To feel refreshed and give your body some time to mend, take a decent nap.
After the procedure, the doctors and nurses typically offer patients something to eat and drink, so they will likely do the same. If you experience any side effects, you may always let them know and they will assist you to get well.
Medication or visit a doctor if you have severe headache
After giving blood, some people may feel tired, have a headache, or feel a little queasy, lightheaded, or sick. This is because of the temporary reduction in blood pressure.
A person can sit down and place their head between their knees so that it is lower than their heart if they experience dizziness and a headache. Falling can also be avoided by lying down with the legs up. People can call their doctor if their symptoms do not get better.
People need to consume water and other liquids before and after giving blood in order to replace the fluid in their bodies. Patients are to consume an additional 16 ounces of water before giving blood and an additional 8 ounces of fluids afterwards.
Alcohol should be avoided for 24 hours prior to and following the donation. To replace lost fluids in the body, people might keep drinking extra fluids over the next three days. Iron stores can be replenished by eating foods high in iron and maintaining a healthy diet. But still, if you don’t feel good so consult a doctor.
Side effects from blood draws
Side effects from blood draws are often mild. But it’s probable that you might encounter some of the following:
- Bruising
- Bleeding
- Lightheadedness (particularly after giving blood)
- Skin irritation caused by bandage tape or adhesive
- Rash
- Soreness
The majority of these will go away with time. Try applying pressure with a clean, dry piece of gauze for at least five minutes if you’re still experiencing bleeding at the location of the puncture. Consult a doctor if the wound is still bleeding and soaking bandages.
Additionally, if you develop a hematoma, or sizable blood bruising at the puncture site, you should visit a medical professional. Large hematomas may prevent blood from reaching the tissues. Smaller (less than dime-sized) hematomas, however, frequently disappear on their own over time.
Swollen vein after blood draw
Incorrect needle placement into a vein can result in blown veins. This motion may pierce the vein wall on one or both sides, or it may irritate the vein itself.
The chance of blown veins might increase due to a number of causes, such as:
- Movement when inserting the needle
- Using a needle with the wrong size for the person’s veins
- The use of catheters that are loosely attached and move when the patient moves
- Age, as older persons’ veins, tend to be more flimsy and mobile, making needle placement more challenging.
- Thicker veins may roll out of place when a medical expert tries to implant a needle in them.
- When a needle is inserted in the skin, it is “fishing” for a vein by moving it around.
- Vein damage is a potential issue for those who use recreational drugs, have undergone intensive chemotherapy, or have received IV treatment.
Bruise from blood draw
A phlebotomist draws blood from you by inserting a tiny, hollow needle into a vein in your arm. Due to the temporary damage to the blood vessel wall lining, the injured vein’s blood collects beneath the skin. Among the reasons for bruising are:
- Vitamin K and C deficiencies
- Harm to the liver and alcoholism in the past
- Compromised blood vessels
- Hemophilia, Cushing syndrome, thrombocytopenia, von Willebrand disease, and renal or liver illness are a few examples of medical problems.
- Small, difficult-to-find veins
- Inadequate pressure following the blood draw
- Consumption of anticoagulants such as aspirin, clopidegrel, or warfarin, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) such as naproxen and ibuprofen.
Arm hurts after blood draw
The most frequent adverse reaction to venipuncture is pain at the location of the needle insertion. The level of discomfort varies from person to person, although it typically worsens when the needle first pierces the skin’s surface before going away once the syringe has docked into the vein.
When a doctor or nurse repeatedly tries to puncture a suitable vein, the pain or discomfort of a blood draw may get worse. Children, the elderly, people with unusually small veins, and people with low blood pressure frequently experience this.
It’s also typical for bruising to appear following venipuncture, which is safe and typically goes away with time. However, for some people, bruising that extends past the place of needle insertion can be unpleasant. You are less likely to suffer from bruising the more experienced the nurse is.
Bruising usually develops near the spot where the needle was inserted (on the inside of your wrist or elbow, for example), but it can also emerge elsewhere. You shouldn’t be worried about this because it is very natural. Although bruises can be ugly, they should go away on their own during the following several days.
In extremely rare cases, pain or discomfort in your arm, hand, or fingers may be a sign of arm inflammation, a tendon or nerve injury, or an artery puncture. The personnel at the hospital or clinic where your blood is drawn will be trained to identify any of these unusual side effects and provide you with the best care and guidance.
Hematoma from blood draw
Blood drawing is a straightforward procedure, however, the most typical side effect is bruising. Your doctor may refer to this type of bruise as a hematoma. That blood-filled swelling is there.
After a blood test, you could develop a hematoma that appears more severe than it actually is. The blood inside the hematoma will return to your body throughout the next few days. It appears purple because of the blood that comes to the surface closest to the skin. The bruise’s hue will progressively deteriorate over the next few days, turning yellow or green until finally goes away. If your bruise isn’t healing properly, you can:
- Give the bandage at least eight hours to stay on.
- For a few hours, refrain from using the injured arm for any hard lifting.
- For the following 72 hours, refrain from ingesting aspirin or ibuprofen.
- Several times throughout the first 24 hours following your blood draw, apply an ice pack or cold massage to the injured region for around 20 minutes.
- After your blood is drawn, for the second 24 hours, go from using an ice pack to a warm compress. Several times throughout the day, apply it to the injured region for 20 minutes each time.
Conclusion
Headache after blood draw? But other symptoms can be visible too like bruising following a blood draw is typical and usually not a cause for alarm. However, if a person does feel extremely uncomfortable, they should contact a doctor.
A bruise can be avoided by taking basic preventative measures, such as providing pressure to the puncture site and avoiding lifting heavy objects.
