Potential Side Effects Of Donating Plasma

Arterial Puncture

An arterial puncture is another rare complication of donating plasma individuals probably won't face. However, it's good to be aware of it. With an arterial puncture, the needle is mistakenly inserted into an artery instead of a vein. The nurses at the donation center should be trained to help with arterial punctures. Should this complication occur, individuals should pay attention to the site's healing following treatment. If the bleeding restarts, their arm becomes swollen, they feel numbness or pins and needles in the arm, their pain becomes severe and seems to be worsening, or their lower arm becomes pale and cold, they should seek emergency medical treatment. While en route to the emergency room, individuals should also keep their arm elevated and firmly apply pressure.

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Allergic Reaction

It's very rare for someone to experience an allergic reaction, but this can happen. Depending on the type of reaction, this may be a mild side effect or potentially life-threatening. With a localized allergic reaction, individuals may have some irritation or redness on the skin surrounding the puncture wound. This occurs when they're allergic to a component of the disinfectant used. The most common localized reactions occur due to an iodine allergy. A citrate reaction, mentioned earlier, is more serious. When individuals donate plasma, citrate is added to the blood to prevent clots from forming. Most citrate will stay in the plasma machine, but a bit will enter the bloodstream. If patients have a citrate reaction, they may feel numbness in their fingers, toes, and lips. They might also be lightheaded, have an irregular heartbeat, and experience chills and shivering. If this reaction isn't treated, it can lead to cardiac arrest or other life-threatening complications.

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