Take it easy after blood donation

After giving blood, you need to let your body recover.

The American Red Cross offers the following suggestions:

• Drink extra fluids, but don't drink alcohol for 24 hours after the donation.
• You can remove the bandage from your arm within a few hours of the donation.
• Use soap and water to gently clean the area around the injection site.
• If the site starts to bleed, apply pressure and hold your arm straight up for 10 minutes, or until bleeding subsides.
• The remainder of donation day, avoid heavy exercise or lifting heavy objects. Don't do anything that makes you feel light-headed or dizzy.