After having your blood drawn, it\u2019s fairly normal to have a small bruise. A bruise usually appears because of damage to small blood vessels as your healthcare provider inserts the needle. A bruise might also form if there wasn\u2019t enough pressure applied after the needle is removed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Symptoms of a bruise\/haematoma include pain, tenderness to touch, swelling, and discoloration. Be aware that another area of discoloration often appears below the area of a severe bruise or haematoma several days later. Gravity pulls the blood downward between the layers of tissue. A bruise or hematoma usually goes away with time. The blood in a bruise or hematoma is broken down (you may notice a range of colour changes at this time) and is eventually reabsorbed and put back to use by the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. Rest the affected area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. Elevate the affected area. Elevation helps reduce pain and swelling. Keep your arm above the level of your heart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. Apply cold packs to the area off-and-on for the first two days after injury. Cold helps ease discomfort, and minimizes additional swelling. Do not apply ice directly to the area. Aim for coolness, yet comfort, by applying a layer or two of cloth between the cold pack and affected area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4. After two days, use a warm washcloth wrapped in a towel or heating pad which may help heal the bruise more quickly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
5. Please consult your doctor if you are experiencing a sharp increase in pain, a sudden large increase in swelling, or pain\/numbness\/lack of colour in your arm. In addition, please consult your doctor if the pain and swelling are not progressively decreasing over days to a week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
PCS-PI-031
Date issued 15 June 2022
Authorised by: HOD, Patient Services<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"After having your blood drawn, it\u2019s fairly normal to have a small bruise. A bruise usually appears because of damage to small blood vessels as your healthcare provider inserts the needle. A bruise might also form if there wasn\u2019t enough pressure applied after the needle is removed. Symptoms of a bruise\/haematoma include pain, tenderness to […]","protected":false},"author":18,"featured_media":0,"parent":66,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-left-sidebar.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-3868","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"\n