Bruising after blood withdrawal – what to do?
A bruise does not necessarily occur after a blood sample has been taken. Bruises after a blood sample is taken are usually caused by the lack of pressure on the puncture site after the needle is withdrawn. The small hole in the vein has not yet been able to close and blood is leaking into the surrounding tissue.
The body breaks down the blood on its own. Treatment of the bruise is therefore not necessary, you just need some patience. However, this process can take several days. Some home remedies that can help are a slight cooling of the affected area and substances such as arnica or aloe vera.
What’s a butterfly?
The butterfly, also called a wing cannula, is a special needle for taking blood samples. Butterflys are now used in most hospitals and doctors’ surgeries instead of other needles. The Butterfly consists of a thin cannula with two flexible plastic wings on both sides.
The cannula is connected to a tube to which the blood collection tubes can be attached. The two plastic wings make the puncture easier to handle. The plastic housing that surrounds the needle can be advanced after the blood collection and secure the needle. This minimizes the risk of a needle stick injury.
Vacuum Tubes
There are two different systems for blood collection tubes. The vacuum tubes work with a negative pressure that is present in the tube. For blood collection, a specific adapter is attached to the puncture needle and the vacuum tube is placed on the adapter.
Now the blood flows into the tube due to the negative pressure. A disadvantage of this system is that the negative pressure can cause fine veins to burst more quickly.
