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What Causes Swelling Around Injected Area And Numbness In Arm?
Question: Follow-up picture attached re. arm. It looks a little swollen near where blood was drawn. Could it be bloodclot causing poor circulation and arm falling asleep?! Worried.
Brief Answer:
Dont worry; but check for symptoms
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for posting your query in healthcaremagic.com
This is Dr. Swarnava dattagupta answering your query.
I understand your concern.
I have seen your uploaded picture too.
During drawing blood from arm, there is pain due to the skin prick which is reduced immediately. Sometimes a small bruise or swelling can persist due to subcutaneous collection of blood which gets back to normal on its own. Nothing much needs to be done except icing the area if the swelling is much or pain is severe. In some, there can be clot or bruise involving a broader area specially in those using medications like blood thinners or diabetics and may take a bit more time to heal.
But it can be of concern if there is sharp or shooting pain during or even after blood drawing and also numbness of fingers or forearm after the incident. There might be nerve injury due to erroneous prick.
So if there is no symptom like sharp pain or numbness associated, you need not worry. The swelling will subside with icing and/or application of thrombophob gel containing heparin. But if there are symptoms, I would suggest visiting a doctor at your earliest for a thorough clinical examination.
Hope i have answered your question.
If you have any further questions i will be happy to help.
Regards
Dont worry; but check for symptoms
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for posting your query in healthcaremagic.com
This is Dr. Swarnava dattagupta answering your query.
I understand your concern.
I have seen your uploaded picture too.
During drawing blood from arm, there is pain due to the skin prick which is reduced immediately. Sometimes a small bruise or swelling can persist due to subcutaneous collection of blood which gets back to normal on its own. Nothing much needs to be done except icing the area if the swelling is much or pain is severe. In some, there can be clot or bruise involving a broader area specially in those using medications like blood thinners or diabetics and may take a bit more time to heal.
But it can be of concern if there is sharp or shooting pain during or even after blood drawing and also numbness of fingers or forearm after the incident. There might be nerve injury due to erroneous prick.
So if there is no symptom like sharp pain or numbness associated, you need not worry. The swelling will subside with icing and/or application of thrombophob gel containing heparin. But if there are symptoms, I would suggest visiting a doctor at your earliest for a thorough clinical examination.
Hope i have answered your question.
If you have any further questions i will be happy to help.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
No pain since, but tingling along left side of arm and pinky finger which occasionally is falling asleep. Is this the same as numbness? It was painful when blood was drawn.
Would the tingling and falling asleep suggest nerve damage? blood clot?
Blood clot suggests dvt to me, which is frightening.
IF nerve injury, is this serious too?
Does the arm look normal in the picture I sent you?
Would the tingling and falling asleep suggest nerve damage? blood clot?
Blood clot suggests dvt to me, which is frightening.
IF nerve injury, is this serious too?
Does the arm look normal in the picture I sent you?
Brief Answer:
Dont worry about DVT
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
The arm looks okay, there is no alarming sign from what I could make out of the picture.
Dont worry about DVT, its extremely rare and would have had other symptoms.
You are complaining of tingling and numbness which can be features of nerve injury. But in most of the cases it is neuropraxia only which gets normal in few days. I would suggest active exercise of elbow wrist and fingers regularly for 7 days. If there is no improvement, you can consult and get clinically examined.
Regards.
Dont worry about DVT
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
The arm looks okay, there is no alarming sign from what I could make out of the picture.
Dont worry about DVT, its extremely rare and would have had other symptoms.
You are complaining of tingling and numbness which can be features of nerve injury. But in most of the cases it is neuropraxia only which gets normal in few days. I would suggest active exercise of elbow wrist and fingers regularly for 7 days. If there is no improvement, you can consult and get clinically examined.
Regards.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Sonia Raina
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