Key takeaways

  • Donating plasma can cause common but usually minor side effects like dehydration, dizziness, bruising, and fatigue.
  • Some people may experience more serious, but rare, side effects, such as infection or citrate reactions. Signs of a citrate reaction may include numbness or tingling, chills, or changes in heart rate.
  • When donating plasma, ask your healthcare professional how best to minimize side effects. It’s important to drink plenty of fluids and avoid intense activities the following day.

Blood plasma is vital for many modern medical therapies, including treatments for immune system conditions, bleeding, and respiratory disorders, as well as blood transfusions and wound healing. Plasma donation is necessary to collect enough plasma for medical treatments.

Donating plasma is mostly a safe process, but side effects do exist. Plasma is a component of your blood. To donate plasma, blood is drawn from your body and processed through a machine that separates and collects the plasma.

The other components of the blood, such as the red blood cells, are returned to your body and mixed with saline to replace the withdrawn plasma.

This article lists the possible side effects to expect when donating plasma and some tips on how to donate safely.

Plasma contains a lot of water. For that reason, some people experience dehydration after donating plasma. Dehydration after donating plasma is usually not severe.

To manage dehydration after donating, avoid alcohol and try to drink an extra four 8-ounce glasses of water over the next 24 hours.

Plasma is rich in nutrients and salts. These are important in keeping the body alert and functioning properly. Losing some of these substances through plasma donation can lead to an electrolyte imbalance. This can result in dizziness, fainting, and lightheadedness.

If you experience dizziness, it’s a good idea to avoid any activities that could lead to injury if you faint for around 24 hours. If dizziness persists for over 30 minutes, it’s a good idea to contact your doctor.

Fatigue can occur if the body has low levels of nutrients and salts. Fatigue after plasma donation is another common side effect, but it’s usually temporary and improves in the days after donation.

Bruising and discomfort are among the milder and more common side effects of plasma donation.

When the needle pierces the skin, you may experience a pinching feeling. You may also experience a dull, pulling sensation at the needle site as blood is drawn from your vein, into the tubing, and then into the machine collecting your plasma.

Bruises form when blood flows into soft tissues. This can happen when a needle punctures a vein and a small amount of blood leaks out. For most people, bruises go away in days or weeks. But if you have a bleeding disorder, it may take more time.

Regularly applying cold packs may help to relieve the discomfort.

Any time a needle pierces the skin, whether for cosmetic or medical procedures, there is always a small risk of infection.

Punctured skin tissue allows bacteria from outside the body to get in. The needle may carry bacteria not only beneath the skin’s surface, but also into a vein. This can lead to an infection at the injection site and surrounding body tissue or in the blood.

Infection from plasma donation is unlikely, as medical professionals will only use sterile equipment. However, it’s still a good idea to watch for signs of infection, including the following signs around the injection site:

  • warmth
  • tenderness or pain
  • skin discoloration
  • swelling

If you notice signs of infection, it’s important to see a doctor right away to prevent complications.

A citrate reaction is a serious side effect of plasma donation.

During a plasma donation, the technician will infuse a substance known as an anticoagulant into the blood they collect in the plasma-separating machine before returning the blood to your body.

This anticoagulant is meant to prevent blood clots from forming. The plasma in the machine retains most of the citrate, but some will also enter your bloodstream.

In the body, citrate binds together a small amount of calcium molecules for a short amount of time. Because this effect is small and temporary, most people experience no side effects from citrate.

However, a small number of people who donate plasma experience what’s called a “citrate reaction” from the temporary loss of calcium. Signs of a citrate reaction include:

Without treatment, these symptoms may become more severe, leading to:

An arterial puncture is a very rare side effect that can occur any time someone uses a needle to tap into a vein.

During a plasma donation, a technician starts by inserting a needle into a vein in your arm. An arterial puncture can happen if the technician accidentally misses your vein and instead hits an artery.

Because arteries have higher blood pressure than veins, a puncture can lead to bleeding into the arm tissues around the puncture site.

The signs of an arterial puncture include a faster blood flow and lighter-than-usual color of blood running through the tubes to the machine collecting your plasma.

The needle and tubes may appear to move or pulsate with the increased blood flow. You may experience weak pain near your elbow.

If the needle accidentally hits an artery, the technician will remove it immediately and apply pressure to the needle insertion site for at least 10 minutes. Continued bleeding after holding pressure is rare but requires emergency medical attention.

When donating plasma, you can take the following steps to stay safe and potentially reduce your risk of severe side effects:

  • Visit an accredited center: Your donation center should put you through a screening process that involves an initial blood test, a questionnaire, and a physical exam. Check with the American Red Cross to find the accredited plasma donation center closest to you.
  • Monitor donation frequency: You can donate plasma every 28 days, up to 13 times per year. While the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allows donors to give plasma more frequently, this is the best practice for safety, according to the American Red Cross.
  • Hydrate first: Drink extra clear, nonalcoholic fluids (preferably water) before your donation. This may help prevent some of the more common side effects associated with plasma donation.
  • Limit intense activity after donating: It’s a good idea to avoid intense activity for 24 hours after donating, particularly activities that could lead to injury if you faint.
  • Report severe side effects: If you experience any severe or ongoing side effects, reach out to a healthcare professional for advice on next steps.

Donating plasma may lead to some side effects, including fatigue, bruising, dizziness, and dehydration. These are usually mild and get better in the days following donation.

It’s also possible to experience more severe effects, including infections, citrate reactions, or arterial punctures. However, it’s worth noting that these are rare if you go to an accredited plasma donation center.

If you experience severe or ongoing side effects after donating plasma, it’s a good idea to reach out to your doctor to understand the best next steps.