What Are the Dangers of Giving Blood Platelets?

Blood platelets are blood cells that help your blood clot and are important protection against excessive bleeding. Donating blood platelets helps patients with a variety of medical conditions, such as cancer and leukemia, and there are very few dangers associated with the process.

Significance

• The most common side effects of giving platelets are the same as those experienced while giving blood, according to the the United Kingdom's National Blood Service.

Types of Common Side Effects

• The most common side effect of giving blood platelets is a feeling of light-headedness, wooziness or fainting when the needle is inserted into your body to begin the process, reports the United Kingdom's National Blood Service.

Features

• In order to prevent blood from clotting inside of the machine used to collect it, a substance called citrate is sometimes added. Citrate may cause a sensation of tingling around your mouth during the procedure, but this is only temporary and will stop once the donation is complete.

Misconceptions

• Some people believe that donating platelets poses a higher risk for infection than donating blood. The American Red Cross reports that this is untrue--all of the items used during the donation process are sterile and are discarded after use.

Considerations

• If you are taking prescription blood thinners or anticoagulants like heparin or warfarin, you must discontinue these medications five days before donating platelets to avoid severe bleeding during the procedure, cautions the American Society of Clinical Oncology. Additionally, people who weigh less than 110 pounds are not eligible to donate platelets.