What Causes Bruise Around Needle Insertion Site After A Blood Test?

Posted on Wed, 9 Apr 2014

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

Wed, 9 Apr 2014 Answered on

Tue, 6 May 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : hello, I got a blood test 5 days ago and I have a very big bruise aound it and getting bigger, I used ALEVE because it was hurting like a bruise due to a fall. The nurse who did the test applied too much pressure after taking the needle out, he pressed so hard my arm that it hurt me, even his hand was all red so I really don't know what could be happening, if it is an infection that needs antibiotic or what. Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (50 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Extravasation of blood Detailed Answer: Hello and welcome to healthcaremagic I am Dr. Kakkar. I have gone through your concern and I have understood it. Extravasation of blood into surrounding skin, after withdrawing the needle is due to leakage of blood from the punctured vessel. This is most common if the clamp/tourinquet used higher up (to make the vein prominent so as to facilitate sampling) is not immediately removed as soon as the needle is withdrawn and can sometimes also happen if the skin puncture site is not pressed properly Or is not pressed exactly at the site of skin puncture, after the needle is withdrawn. This manifests as swelling and bluish discoloration at the site(similar to bruise). This is mostly self resolving within a week or 10 days and no active intervention is required. Regards

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