ok to swim right after blood tests?

RE: ok to swim right after blood tests?

Former Member — Wed, 27 Mar 2019 15:27:54 GMT

Thanks, everyone. Great advice.:applaud:

RE: ok to swim right after blood tests?

Former Member — Wed, 27 Mar 2019 13:49:20 GMT

The needles used to draw blood (for ordinary testing) are quite small - I would be less worried about infection, and more about other factors like if you tend to get dizzy after having blood drawn, or you're having a large amount drawn. (Or you're donating blood). Be sure to drink plenty of water (this makes your veins easier to find too) and maybe have a suitable snack before you swim and you should be good to go.

RE: ok to swim right after blood tests?

Former Member — Tue, 26 Mar 2019 15:50:02 GMT

Thanks, JP. I am very comfortable swimming with a cut. I mean, it's not like the needle is going through my arm, right? Dr. Google is a blessing and a curse. :D

RE: ok to swim right after blood tests?

Jeff Enge — Tue, 26 Mar 2019 12:10:21 GMT

I think the "health department" answer would be that you're not supposed to use a public pool with open wounds. Given the cuts and scrapes of daily life, I think most of us would be hard pressed to use the pool half the time if everybody took that advice completely literally.

RE: ok to swim right after blood tests?

Jeff Enge — Tue, 26 Mar 2019 11:45:30 GMT

I mean... I imagine it would be the same as any other wound/opening in the skin. If you're comfortable swimming with a cut/puncture, go ahead. If not, sit out.

RE: ok to swim right after blood tests?

aztimm — Tue, 26 Mar 2019 01:04:07 GMT

I usually swim (or otherwise work out) before blood tests. I'm on a blood thinner, so the puncture site can sometimes look pretty bad after. Whether or not it is safe, it just doesn't look right. Swimming the next day has never been a problem for me either. (but I've learned to wait a few days before doing arm curls :afraid:)