Blood is, quite literally, the stuff of life — by donating some of yours, you could save multiple people's lives, as patients who have suffered serious trauma, those undergoing surgery, or those suffering hemorrhage after childbirth could all desperately need blood or blood products, along with many who live with chronic medical conditions such as sickle cell disease.
Giving blood can be a little scary, especially the first time, but the folks who decide to become blood donors will ultimately expect nothing but a little discomfort during the process and some transient feelings of weakness — easily remedied by the juice you will probably be given right after you are done giving blood — after this fairly short procedure. Most of the time, reality will match their expectations and giving blood is tolerated very well. Research reveals that a mere 1.2 percent of blood donors experience any kind of adverse reaction, and when this does happen, it's not usually serious.
For some blood donors, however, the side effects of donating blood can be more invasive. The adverse reactions some people suffer after donating blood range from arm pain and tingling and bleeding at the site where blood was taken, to more serious consequences such as an air embolism or compartment syndrome.
A skin rash after giving blood: What causes this localized allergic reaction, and what should you know about it?
Some blood donors will suffer from a red skin rash immediately around the venipuncture site, meaning the area where their blood was drawn, when they remove the bandage that was placed over the site. Redness itself, without any additional symptoms, may simply be the result of pulling the bandage off.
Should the skin be itchy, sore, and swollen in addition to the redness, however, that is an indication that you could be experiencing a localized allergic reaction. Some blood donors will immediately start to worry that they are dealing with an infection of some kind, or that the needle itself led to this side effect. The actual culprit can almost always be found in one of two things.
The first factor to examine would be the antiseptic adhesive dressing most blood banks use to help prevent post-donation infections. These are typically medicated with an antimicrobial agent called nitrofurazone. Research indicates that up to 15 percent of the population may display allergic reactions, and has questioned whether the use of antiseptic bandages is even warranted after donating blood. Besides allergic reactions to this and other medications used in dressings, some people will also have contact dermatitis as a direct result of the adhesives with which the dressings are made.
The second factor would be the antiseptic blood bank personnel use to wipe the area of skin where they then insert the needle, something that is done both before the needle is inserted and after it is removed.
In some cases, these side effects can be avoided by removing the dressing and thoroughly cleaning the area of skin where your blood was drawn with simple soap and water, which removes residual antiseptic and adhesive products.
Systemic allergic reactions after donating blood?
While systemic allergic reactions — reactions of the kind that affect the entire body — are exceedingly rare after donating blood, they do sometimes happen. These anaphylactic reactions are characterized by symptoms that clearly tell you something is very wrong. You may be wheezing and short of breath, experience a skin flush all over your body, have swollen lips, feel nauseous and may even vomit, and your skin could turn blue because your organs are not getting enough oxygen. You may also experience heart palpitations.
The most common underlying cause can, again, be found in a component of the blood donation process that is actually meant to keep you safe, namely the ethylene oxide gas that is sometimes employed to sterilize the equipment used during the donation. You will want to seek immediate medical assistance if you notice any of these symptoms after donating blood, and tell your first responders that you have just donated blood to help them narrow down the cause of your severe allergic reaction.
Donating blood saves lives: Don't be scared to participate!
Blood donors are given physical checkups and asked questions about their medical history before their first donation precisely because blood banks do their best to keep the awesome people who are willing to go the extra mile and help save lives safe. Make sure to answer the questions you are asked about your history of allergies thoroughly, even if you are not sure why this information is relevant. If you have had minor allergic reactions like localized skin rashes after giving blood in the past, make especially sure to tell your blood bank this so they can help you avoid the same symptoms this time.
First-time blood donors who are scared to give blood after reading this should be aware that systemic allergic reactions are incredibly unlikely, and that giving blood is usually a very safe procedure. Everyone should, however, keep an extra close eye on any physical reactions they may be experiencing after donating blood or blood products, so they can sound the alarm in a timely manner if allergic reactions or other side effects do make an appearance.