How long to leave the bandage on after blood donation? It is recommendable to leave the application on for at least 4 hours after donating your blood. It is for your body to stay well after the blood extraction process.
Blood is an essential substance for everyone to survive. It is not an exaggeration to say that every 2 seconds, someone needs a blood transfusion for so many possible reasons.
If you have decided to donate your blood to the blood banks in your area, I congratulate you for having the courage to give something from your body to help others. Nevertheless, you must know how the donation works. You are probably puzzled if this is your first time donating. Don’t you worry, we’ve got you covered. This article will let you know all about blood donation. So sit back and read till the end.
Blood Donation
A blood donation is a voluntary procedure wherein your blood is extracted to serve as a life extension for others who needs it. Even a bag or two of your blood could greatly help someone in need.
Types Of Blood Donation
This might be familiar to you or new to first-time donors, but several types of blood donation provide various kinds of medical needs. These types are whole blood, power red, platelet, and plasma donation.
#1. Whole blood donation
A whole blood donation is the most common type of blood donation. The blood can be transfused the way it is from being extracted. It can also be separated into specific components like platelets and plasma. Donating whole blood could take up at least an hour and helps patients who are undergoing surgeries.
#2. Power red donation
A Power Red Donation, on the other hand, uses a concentrated dose of red cells found in your blood. These red cells are separated from your blood through a machine while extraction.
#3. Platelet donation
Platelets are a component of your blood cells that helps in stopping the bleeding of your wounds. They are often used for cancer treatments and are most needed when facing Dengue.
#4. Plasma donation
A plasma donation is ideally conducted on those who have blood types AB. The AB plasma can be used to treat anyone with different blood types, which makes it convenient.
What To Do Before, During, And After Donating Blood
If you plan to go in a bloodletting campaign, the following checklist can help you know what you should do before, during, and after the blood donation.
Before
If you decided to donate blood, you could make an appointment or go to a bloodletting campaign in your area. Making an appointment makes it convenient for your time, whereas you’ll have to go to the site and wait for a bloodletting campaign in your area. It is also essential to watch what you eat. Eat foods that are high in iron. Iron-rich foods include red meat, poultry, and fish. If you’re a vegetarian, you could eat beans, spinach, raisins, or iron-rich cereals. Keep yourself well-rested and hydrated. It is essential to keep your body relaxed before donating blood. Keep on track the amount of water you take too. Make sure that you stay hydrated a day or two until the donation. It may be a good idea to know what to eat before plasma donation.
During
On the day of your blood donation, it is also a great idea to start your RapidPass. RapidPass is an app that lets you track your blood donation processes and helps you schedule an appointment. Bring an ID. You’ll have to bring your donor card, but you can ask for it after donating if it is your first time. Also, obtain your driver’s license if you have one or any two identification forms.
Make sure to take down notes on the medication you have been taking for the past three months. It is essential to know and tell the staff as it makes a difference with your blood quality. Wear a t-shirt or a sleeveless where it is easier to roll up the clothes for drawing blood. You could also bring your mp3s or a favorite book to read that can help you stay relaxed throughout the process.
After
After donation, you are advised to get a snack in the refreshment blood to replenish the cells taken from your body. Also, take in extra liquids and avoid drinking alcoholic drinks for the next 24 hours. Don’t forget to replenish the iron reserves in your body. Eat foods rich in iron like the ones mentioned above, and always remember to keep yourself hydrated. Drink eight glasses of water a day. Read about hemoglobin and iron functions.
Some are wondering how long to leave the bandage on after blood donation? Well, you must leave the application on for at least four hours after the gift. It will help your wound stay clean and avoid having skin rashes. Do not do any heavy lifting as this will cause stress on your arm. You don’t want your veins popping blood in no time, right? So I suggest taking a break and relaxing throughout the day.
Conclusion
After donating blood, it is essential to know how long to leave the bandage on after blood donation since it helps keep the needle area protected from elements outside our body. Just by reading this article, you are now geared up to donate blood, and you sure are ready to become someone’s hero just by giving your blood to them. Also, don’t forget to share your experience with your friends. It will help motivate them to do the same. Also, read about what to eat before blood donation and what to eat after blood donation.