Avoid drinking alcoholic drinks until the next day. Eat food rich in iron and take iron supplements. To reduce the risk of fainting, we advise that you: Rest at least 20 minutes at the blood bank after donation. Drink plenty of water or non-alcoholic drinks after donation. Do not smoke for at least an hour after donation. Avoid standing for long periods and strenuous exercise until the next day.
If you feel faint If you feel faint or weak during or after your donation, please inform our staff immediately. If you feel faint after leaving the blood bank or mobile drive, we advise you to: Sit or lie down immediately for at least 30 minutes until you feel well. Drink plenty of water or non-alcoholic drinks. Not drive in the next 6 hours. If symptoms persist or get worse, call ambulance to get help. Preventing bruises Some donors develop mild bruising at the needle insertion site where the blood was drawn.
Large bruises or swelling are less common and may take a few weeks to completely disappear. To minimize the risk of bruising or swelling, you should: Apply firm pressure on the needle insertion site for at least 5 minutes after the needle is removed.
Keep the bandage on your arm for the next 4 hours. In case of bleeding or bruising If bleeding or a bruising develops after you have left the blood bank or mobile drive: Apply firm pressure on the needle insertion site and lift your arm above your shoulder for at least 20 minutes. Once the bleeding stops, apply an ice pack on the affected area up to 20 minutes at a time, 3 times a day for the next 24 to 48 hours.
After donating whole blood, a person often sits and relaxes for about 15 minutes. An attendant may offer water, juice, or snacks to help prevent or address any fatigue or dizziness.
When the person feels ready, they can return to most of their usual activities, often within a few hours. The body makes around 2 million red blood cells every second. Still, it may take a few weeks to replace the pint of blood drawn during a donation. In the meantime, few people feel any effects of the lack of blood. A person must wait at least 8 weeks between donations to ensure that their body has enough time to recover.
Donating blood lowers levels of key nutrients the body. By eating and drinking certain foods, a person can help their body recover. The blood contains iron, and each donation may cause the body to lose — milligrams of the mineral.
Eating iron-rich foods can help replenish levels of the mineral in the blood. Foods that contain plenty of iron include:. Vitamin C helps the body absorb iron, so it is also a good idea to eat foods rich in the vitamin, such as citrus fruits, bell peppers, and tomatoes.
Like iron, B vitamins , including B-2, B-6, and B-9, help create new red blood cells. Some dietary sources of B vitamins include :. People with vegetarian or vegan diets may benefit from taking a B vitamin supplement if they find it difficult to get enough from their diet.
Donating blood removes fluids from the body. A person can help restore them by drinking water, broth, or herbal tea. The American Red Cross recommend drinking an extra 4 glasses, or 32 ounces, of liquid in the first 24 hours after donating blood. However, it can limit what a person can do immediately afterward.
The loss of red blood cells means that there is less oxygen circulating in the body. As a result, a person should avoid very strenuous activities right after a donation. This may include:. For the rest of the day after donating blood, it is generally a good idea to avoid any activities that get the heart rate up. Going forward, a person can gradually reintroduce exercise and heavy lifting. Returning to these activities slowly can help prevent any adverse effects of the blood loss.
Also, a person should avoid drinking alcohol for the first 24 hours after a donation. Some people experience dizziness or lightheadedness after donating blood. This is because the lower volume of blood in the body leads to a temporary reduction in blood pressure.
Certain preventive measures may help, such as drinking extra water before donating. Additional tips for the day of your donation: Drink an extra 16 oz. Eat a healthy meal, avoiding fatty foods like hamburgers, fries or ice cream. Wear a shirt with sleeves that you can roll up above your elbows. Let us know if you have a preferred arm or particular vein that has been used successfully in the past to draw blood. Relax, listen to music, talk to other donors or read while you donate.
After Your Donation. The gratification of giving blood is a feeling you'll want to share. Drink an extra four 8 oz. Additional tips for after your donation: Keep the strip bandage on for the next several hours; to avoid a skin rash, clean the area around the bandage with soap and water.
If the needle site starts to bleed, apply pressure and raise your arm straight up for minutes or until bleeding stops.
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