Swollen arm after blood test?!
Question: I had a blood test on Monday, and my arm was fine on the Tuesday day. But on the night, I itched it, really hard as I have exzcema in the place where the test was. It swelled up and has not yet gone down. It doesn't hurt unless I really push hard on it. When I apply a small amount of pressure to it, I can only describe it as feeling "squishy". There's probably nothing wrong with it, but have I done something to the arm after scratching it so hard? I'd like it if someone could put my mind at rest. :)
Answers: I had a blood test on Monday, and my arm was fine on the Tuesday day. But on the night, I itched it, really hard as I have exzcema in the place where the test was. It swelled up and has not yet gone down. It doesn't hurt unless I really push hard on it. When I apply a small amount of pressure to it, I can only describe it as feeling "squishy". There's probably nothing wrong with it, but have I done something to the arm after scratching it so hard? I'd like it if someone could put my mind at rest. :)
In plain English, it sounds like you scratched so hard that you scratched the clot off the vein- basically like scratching a scab off your skin- and caused it to bleed a little under the skin. This is common, and there's no need to worry. If you want it to go away quicker, you can put a warm cloth on it for 20 minute intervals (run a wash cloth under the warm tap water). It'll probably look like a bruise for a while, but no you're not gonna die! Good luck!
I would of put a plaster over where u had the blood test and kept it on there for a few days, so i couldn't itch it, but as you have excema i doubt it is your fault. But try not to keep itching it and it will go down. By the way it is normally squishy after a blood test for a few days.
I can only suggest you call NHS, there is a direct line you can call and speak to somebody:
http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/
At least then you will know and can put your mind at ease.
Hope it heals up quick for you :o)
Sounds to me that there may be a secondary infection at the site of injection. I would go to the Doctors ASAP and have this looked at. You don't want an infection getting into you blood system.
I'm guessing that you have a simple haematoma, basically blood leaked out of the vein during or after the test. It should resolve on it's own, but it may take 10-14 days.