How to Avoid Bruises from Injections

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The best ways to prevent, reduce, and treat injection site bruising

Co-authored by Janice Tieperman Medically reviewed by Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS

Last Updated: May 9, 2024 Fact Checked

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• What to Avoid Before an Injection
|
• Injection Aftercare
|
• Injection Best Practices
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• Tips
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• Warnings

|Show more |Show less

Injections are no fun, especially if they leave you with a nasty bruise for days afterward. Bruises can form when blood leaks out of a blood vessel, creating a distinct blue or purple patch on the skin. Bruises may be par for the course with injections, but there are few ways you can potentially dial back this annoying side effect. If you’re getting occasional injections, like for cosmetic treatments or vaccines, you may be able to avoid bruising by preparing in the days and weeks ahead. If you’re getting any kind of injection, you can get relief through special treatment options, or by taking some precautions with needles used in your procedure.

Things You Should Know

• Avoid aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen for 2 weeks before the injection. Stop drinking alcohol 7 days before your procedure.
• Apply an ice pack to the area immediately the injection. You can also try Arnica supplements or apply Arnica gel topically.
• Ask the injector if you can downsize the needle gauge. During the injection, relax your muscles as much as you can instead of tensing up.

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

What to Avoid Before an Injection

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1. 1
   Stop taking medications that affect your blood 2 weeks before and after your injection. Write a list of all the different medications you take on a regular basis. A variety of different medicines, like aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen, as well as certain cardiovascular medicines, can raise your risk of bruising after an injection. Talk to your doctor and see which medications may put you at risk, and ask if it’s safe to go off them for a couple of weeks to prevent bruising from your injection.

   • Always talk to a medical professional before you stop taking any kind of prescription medicine. Don’t stop taking a prescription drug unless you have your doctor’s express permission.
2. 2
   Ditch supplements that raise your risk of bruising 3–5 days before the injection. Fish oil, flaxseed oil, cod liver oil, ginger, garlic, St. John’s Wort, melatonin, valerian, niacin, turmeric, and cayenne can all make bruising worse. If possible, stop taking these supplements for 2 weeks before and after your injection.
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3. 3
   Limit eating foods that have aspirin-like properties. A lot of fresh foods may raise your risk of bruising, which isn’t ideal before an injection. While you don’t have to cut these foods out of your diet completely, you may want to go easy in the days beforehand.

   • Some common produce offenders are avocados, apples, apricots, cucumbers, grapefruit, grapes, melons, oranges, peaches, plums, raspberries, and more.
   • Shellfish, soybeans, wheat germ oil, sunflower seeds, flaxseed, fish, and root beer could also make bruising worse.
4. 4
   Don’t drink alcohol 5–7 days before you plan on getting an injection. Alcohol can definitely raise your risk of bruising, especially if you drink right before the procedure. Instead, pass on any alcohol the night before your injection, as well as the night after.

   • Alcohol functions as a blood thinner, and slows your blood’s ability to clot properly.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Injection Aftercare

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1. 1
   Cool off the injection area with ice right after the procedure. Grab a cold compress or ice pack and place it on top of the injection site. Always keep your cold pack wrapped in a towel, so you don’t hurt your skin. Only use it in 15-20 minute increments, which will prevent any long-term damage.

   • This is best to do in the first 8 hours after your injection.
2. 2
   Take Arnica or bromelain supplements. Talk to your doctor about trying special supplements like Arnica and bromelain, which are known to help with bruising. Take Arnica pills 4 days before your injection, and 4 days afterward, as well. Similarly, you can take bromelain pills 3 days before the injection and 1 week afterward.

   • Check the label for specific dosage instructions or talk to a medical professional for guidance.
   • Fresh pineapple is also high in bromelain. Snack on some slices as you recover!
3. 3
   Spread bromelain or Arnica gel over the injection area. Shop online or in your local pharmacy to find bromelain or Arnica gel. While there’s not a ton of medical research on this, some studies show that bromelain or Arnica is useful after an injection. Coat the injection site completely with ointment, following the instructions on the bottle or container as you go.

   • High doses of vitamin K may also help with bruising.
   • Eating kale and spinach can reduce bruising, swelling, and inflammation as well.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Injection Best Practices

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1. 1
   Use a small-gauge needle. If you’re getting a cosmetic procedure, talk to your doctor about the type of needle they’ll be using for your injection. Typically, wider types, like cannula needles, are more likely to cause bruising. Ask the doctor if they can possibly use smaller needles for your procedure, like 30-gauge. There’s no guarantee that they’ll honor your preferences, but it’s worth an ask. If you’re injecting yourself for a personal health condition, like diabetes, use an insulin pen designed specifically for diabetics.

   • Vaccine needles tend to be very small, and are somewhere between 22-25 gauge.
2. 2
   Insert the needle at the correct angle for the injection. If you're giving yourself an injection, doing it correctly can minimize bruising. If the needle’s going straight into the muscle, hold it at a 90-degree angle away from your skin. If the needle is going just under the skin (subcutaneous), hold it at a 45-degree angle.

   • Talk to your doctor if you have any questions about how your injection procedure will work. As a medical professional, you can trust that they’ll be operating the needle safely.
3. 3
   Lay back and relax in your seat if you’re getting a cosmetic treatment. Certain treatments, like fillers and cosmetic enhancements, are best injected when you’re sitting in a reclined seat. Check that your seat is reclined at about a 30-degree angle, which can help prevent bruising.

   • A medical professional will likely have the seat set at the right angle, but it doesn’t hurt to check.
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Tips

• Stay out of the sun until the injection area isn’t swollen.
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• According to some studies, using ice before an injection will reduce the pain, but it won’t make a significant difference regarding bruising.
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• Think about your favorite foods right after the injection happens. When you think about food, the psychological impact can cause your skin vessels to constrict, which may reduce bruising.
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Warnings

• Don’t rub the injection site. This can cause the medication or treatment to spread or be absorbed a lot more quickly than it’s supposed to be.
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• Don't exercise at least 2 days after treatment, as the capillaries damaged during your injection need rest in order to heal properly. If possible, keep your heart related below 100 beats per minute so your body can heal.
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