Possible unwanted effects of donating

Always follow the advice and instructions around the donation and report any unwanted effects immediately so we can guide you optimally. You can consult with a donor doctor at the blood bank or by phone at 088-7308686 (available Mon to Thu 8:00-20:00 and Fri 8:00-17:00).

1. Bruising Bruising, resulting in a blue spot, occurs when blood accumulates under the skin. This can happen during or after the needle insertion or removal. Sometimes this causes pain. Due to the return of blood cells and the longer collection time during plasma donation, the chance of bruising is higher with plasma donation than with blood donation. Bruising is not serious and the blue spot will disappear on its own. 
   Do not exert force (lifting, pushing, pulling) with the arm that was pricked on the day of donation.
2. Painful arm Pain, tingling, or a heavy feeling in the arm after donation can have various causes. It can be due to lying in one position for too long or due to bruising. Inside the elbow, there are muscles, tendons, and nerves alongside several veins. If these are hit during pricking, it can also cause pain. 
   The complaints almost always disappear within a few weeks.
3. Dizziness, nausea, and fainting Some donors experience dizziness or nausea during or after donation. This is often a reaction to fear or tension about the collection, combined with a temporary reduction in blood volume. These are harmless complaints that will pass on their own. Fainting is more troublesome, especially if it happens outside the blood bank. Therefore, it is important to be cautious with activities where fainting poses a risk, such as climbing or diving, for the first twelve hours after donation. 
   The advice is to eat and drink well before your donation. After donation, it is advised to sit in the donor café for 10-15 minutes and drink extra. Also, avoid physical exertion on the day of donation.
4. Decreasing hemoglobin (Hb) or iron stores The Hb level is monitored by maintaining a maximum number of donations per year. We also check the Hb at each donation. If the Hb is lower than the threshold value, donation is not allowed. By not donating for a while, the Hb can return to normal levels, preventing anemia. If a medical cause for low Hb is suspected, you will be referred to your GP. Despite the above measures, iron stores can fall below the threshold value. 
   To prevent this, iron stores in the body are monitored by regularly determining the ferritin level in blood donors. In some situations, it may be advised to donate less frequently or consider becoming a plasma donor.
5. Bleeding Occasionally, the place where the donor was pricked in the arm may start bleeding later. This can happen if the prick site was not pressed long enough or properly or due to premature exertion with the arm. It can also happen spontaneously. 
   Pressing the prick site well for ten minutes is usually enough to stop the bleeding.
6. Pricking the artery Occasionally, the artery is pricked instead of the vein. This can happen if the artery runs more superficially or differently than usual. The donation is then immediately stopped. The prick site is then pressed well and bandaged to reduce the chance of bleeding. 
   The bandage must remain in place for at least six hours.
7. Vein inflammation (phlebitis) Very rarely, a bacterial inflammation of the pricked vein occurs in the days after donation. Because sterile procedures are used, this fortunately happens rarely. 
   If this happens, it is important to contact a donor doctor or otherwise the GP. An antibiotic course is usually not necessary.
8. Allergic reaction Some donors may have an allergic reaction to, for example, the bandage or disinfectant used. This usually causes complaints such as itching or redness. Severe allergic reactions are extremely rare. 
   Advice: if you have an allergic reaction to the bandage or disinfectant, indicate this at your next appointment.
9. Citrate reaction (only when donating plasma or platelets) During plasma donation or platelet donation, citrate is used as an anticoagulant. A small amount of citrate enters the blood. Citrate is a harmless substance that is quickly broken down in the body and can cause a slight drop in calcium in your blood. This can cause tingling around the mouth or nausea. The machine is then slowed down. The complaints will disappear on their own. 
   If you feel this coming on, let the staff at the blood bank know immediately.
10. Scar formation Frequent donating and pricking can cause scar formation in the elbow crease. This happens more quickly in people with a skin type that forms scar tissue faster. This can also lead to a less sensitive skin.

You can consult with a donor doctor at the blood bank or by phone at 088-7308686 (available Mon to Thu 8:00-20:00 and Fri 8:00-17:00).