What Are the Side Effects of Donating Blood Plasma?

Plasma is the yellow fluid that takes up about 55 percent of blood volume. Plasma donations are usually performed in such a way that the plasma is separated from the donor's whole blood and the remainder is injected back into the donor through a separate needle.

Soreness

• Localized soreness around the point of needle entry is generally to be expected, even when the needle is correctly inserted.

Discoloration

• The point of injection can turn black and blue if the needle is improperly inserted---e.g., becomes dislodged and pumps the blood into tissue instead of a vein.

Swelling

• Swelling can occur if tissue is damaged by either the injection or the withdrawal needle. This can result from too much needle movement or from the infusion needle's missing the vein and pumping into surrounding tissue under pressure.

Bleeding

• If the points of needle entry are not securely bandaged and pressurized, blood may pour out after the needle is removed. It may come out under the skin or above it. If under, it may discolor and turn yellow as it degrades over the next few days.

Nerve Damage

• If either needle cuts a nerve, then acute swelling, pain, color changes and tenderness can follow. If severe enough and untreated, it can become permanent chronic pain, called reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome (RSDS).