How To Reduce Swelling After Blood Was Drawn Out?

Posted on Thu, 28 Nov 2013

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 28 Nov 2013 Answered on

Wed, 18 Dec 2013 Last reviewed on

Question : My daughter had blood drawn today. She was stuck multiple times, including at the wrist. There is a small bruised swollen area there and her arm is sore from one of the sticks. After all that, little blood was even gotten. How do we reduce the swelling and why was there so little blood?

Answered by Dr. Anjana Rao Kavoor (51 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Please find detailed answer below Detailed Answer: Hi, Thanks for writing in to us. In some people the veins in arm are not easily accessible for drawing blood. In these situations repeated attemps are made before enough sample is drawn. Unavoidably multiple punctures are made resulting in local inflammation. Please look out for any changes under the skin along puncture sites. Should it happen, it shows minimal pooling of blood under the skin with associated superficial thrombophlebitis or inflammation of small veins and will disappear on application of heparin ointment. This is not a serious condition and will resolve soon. For mild pain, application of anti inflammatory ointment should be enough. If there is severe pain and inflammation, please have it seen by your doctor. Hope your query is answered. Dr.A.Rao Kavoor

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Anjana Rao Kavoor (44 minutes later)

Could her blood be too thick?

Answered by Dr. Anjana Rao Kavoor (13 hours later)

Brief Answer: Please find detailed answer below Detailed Answer: Hi, Thanks for writing in again. It does not necessarily mean that her blood is too thick. The commonest causes for having to puncture the veins many times include obesity, patient apprehension, using a bigger size needle and inexperienced person drawing the blood. Hope the swelling has come down by now. Dr.A.Rao Kavoor

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar