How to Stop Bruising After a Copaxone Injection

People who use Copaxone injections to manage their Multiple Sclerosis often experience irritation and bruising at injection sites. However, severe bruising, characterized by an area larger than a 50 cent piece with extreme pain, may be a cause for concern and in this case you should contact your physician immediately. For mild bruising, characterized by an area smaller than a 50 cent piece with little to no pain, you can take several precautions at home to stop the bruising.

Things You'll Need

• Ice pack
• Cotton towel
• Apple cider vinegar
• Appointment with your physician

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Instructions

How to Stop Bruising After a Copaxone Injection

• 1

  Preventing bruises after Copaxone injections is best done by always using a sharp needle and giving yourself the shot as quickly as possible. If you slowly insert and pull out the needle, you will be more likely to bruise.

• 2

  Rotate injection sites daily. Never inject yourself in the same spot twice in a row. This increases trauma to the tissue on that site, making you more likely to bruise after the injection.

• 3

  Apply a cold ice pack wrapped in a cotton towel to the injection site as soon as you finish self-administering the Copaxone. This will help alleviate tissue trauma and reduce bruising. Remove ice after 15 minutes.

• 4

  Mix one part apple cider vinegar with one part water and moisten a towel in the solution. Apply the towel to the injection site for a few minutes at a time, and do this several times a day. According to HealBlog.net, this will treat and prevent bruising after injections.

• 5

  If you experience severe bruising or a large amount of discomfort, visit your physician. Mild bruising is a side effect of Copaxone, but only your physician can determine if what you are experiencing is within the normal and acceptable side effects.