What should I do to avoid bruising?
After the needle is removed from your vein the phlebotomist will give you a gauze pad. Place the gauze pad over the site where the needle punctured your skin and apply pressure over it with your thumb. To know if you have applied adequate pressure observe the nail bed of the finger used to apply pressure it should be paler than the rest of the nail. Pressure should be applied for at least 2 minutes. If you are taking certain medications for thinning your blood such as Warfarin, the pressure should be applied for at least 5 minutes. Once bleeding has stopped a band aid will be applied.
Do not rub the area as rubbing may dislodge the clot and lead to further bleeding and bruising.
Do not carry heavy weights/ hand bag on the same arm for at least one hour.
