Stained skin after iron infusion

[HouseyMcHouseFace]

I had an iron infusion yesterday but after about 5 minutes the vein collapsed so it was just being pumped into my skin. Luckily I noticed fairly quickly and nurse immediately removed but now my arm looks like this 😳.

A bit of googling suggests this happens fairly regularly and a lot of people have reported the staining having lasted for years. I’m going on a big family holiday in a couple of weeks and I’d really rather not look like I’ve been in a fight.

Has anyone else had this? If so, how long did it take to go and have you got any tips? If not, can anyone recommend a heavy duty (possibly waterproof?) concealer that I use with sun cream?

I’m still anemic too as none of the iron actually went where it was supposed to. Pffft.

Shocking!
I have had many infusions and this has never happened.
Did they do a trial run with saline solution first?
They are also supposed to give you a break after about 15 mins to check that you aren’t going to have an allergic reaction.

I’m sure that it will wear away in time. You will feel much better in a few weeks with your iron stores replenished. I always feel a bit rough for a few days after the Infusion but it’s well worth it. Best wishes

Oh no, I just saw your second post.
I do hope you complain and have another appointment.
I have the Cosmfer single dose infusion. It takes about 5 hours but it’s very effective.
I’m so sorry that you have had these problems - it’s bad enough being anaemia.
X

Anaemic

I’ve has loads of infusions before but never had this happen at all. The nurses were suggesting it was because I was dehydrated and/ or cold.

My veins kept collapsing and in the end they had to use a tiny butterfly needle. They did flush through with saline but it was right in the crook of my elbow and even though I was staying as still as I could it must have just torn the vein or collapsed.

I’ve got to go back tomorrow and they’re going to have another try. In my foot this time which makes me feel very queasy indeed! I’ll be fully hydrated and warm tomorrow.

It’s grim isn’t it whatamiss? I’d never have believed how awful it makes you feel until it happened to me. Not just the exhaustion but it’s made me an emotional wreck too. I cried at In The Night Garden last night.

I know just what you mean!

I used to have the infusions in the back of my hands until all the veins started collapsing.

They have used up the veins in the crook of my left arm and now we are on to my right arm. I suppose it will be my feet next like you.

I do sympathise. I have had some funny stories over the years. Once the consultant was performing the infusion, somehow he managed to pop the bag and squirt the solution all over the curtain and himself!
I always breathe a sigh of relief when it’s just a lowly dr and a nurse now!

I

Can I ask what your levels were before they offered a transfusion?
Mine came back yesterday and ferritin was 6. I feel rough and off work. Have left message with Dr to ask what hb is.

I have discovered if I drink a few bottles of water during the infusion then I do feel much better the next day. I have never been advised to do it medically I just discovered it by trial and error.
I’m sure it will all go well for you tomorrow. Lightening doesn’t strike twice in the same place!
Take a good book and enjoy the enforced rest.
Best wishes

Hb has been as low as 6
Ferritin has been as low as 1

I was tired but functioning fairly normally at this point. I visited the GP she pulled my eye lid up and said « no you are not anaemic» I insisted on a blood test and those results came back. The hospital rang me next day and called me in immediately - this was 16 years ago. I think she was a bit embarrassed.

I have a regular blood test as soon as ferritin gets to 15 I have an infusion even if hb is in the normal range.
I cannot absorb iron from my diet.

Ps
I get very fed up of people saying to me «just take an iron tablet».
People other than my consultant don’t realise that I can’t absorb iron. Everytime I see a newGP they want me to try tablets again. I always do and they never work. It’s so frustrating - Who would opt for an infusion if there was an alternative ?

Thanks @WhataMissMap, and I hope @HouseyMcHouseFace your arm is feeling better before your hols.

whatamiss my Hb is 6.3 which is the lowest it’s ever been. I don’t think they’ve ever mentioned my ferritin levels.

I can’t take iron tablets either. I got stomach ulcers a few years ago, Gp insisted it was non-related. The next time I took an iron tablet I started vomiting blood. They’ve been giving me infusions since then!

That’s low, you must feel awful. The ferritin is the iron store. I’m no medic but I guess if your HB is so low your ferritin will also be very low, unless you have a conversion problem.
I hope you will be well looked after now and soon be back to normal.

I had this happen to me 2 months ago and “bruising” is still visible. It’s not gone down at all. I can’t get a straight answer from anyone how long it will last or if permanent. My own research is showing likely to be permanent or lasting a long time - years! I look like I’m a domestic abuse victim and very paranoid about my arm. I too would be interested in what would cover this and not rub off onto clothes or would be suitable for wearing with sun cream and even in pool (if there is such a miracle product?)

They should have tried to find another injection site for the cannula, rather than persevere with the same site.

That is shocking.

They owe you an apology and another infusion appointment pronto.

Oh no ABC12345678. I was really hoping the bits I found online were very rare cases. A bit more research shows some cosmetic clinics offer lasering to break down the discolouration so it must be fairly permanent 🤦‍♀️

I’m sure I’ve seen ads pop up on FB of concealer which covers up tattoos and then they run it under water and it still stays on. I’ve never paid any attention to them before though because my arm has always been the same colour all the way along.

wtf that was the 14th site they tried, every other one collapsed before they could get saline in. I’ve got another appointment for an infusion tomorrow. I don’t think there’s much point asking for an apology. They were trying for ages to find somewhere to put it in. I felt really guilty because they were all running around like mad things and I was holding everyone up.

I don't have an answer to your OP, OP, sorry, but I am really interested to hear about iron infusions. I am on a high dose of iron tablet 3 a day at 210mg per pill, so 630mg per day. Well, I am meant to, or at least take two but can only really manage 1 due to the side effects.
Is an infusion worse than taking the pills? How often do you need to have them, if for eg your low iron is down to heavy periods?

No idea about how long it will last, but there's an Urban Decay foundation or concealer than is supposedly very good. And their All Nighter setting spray is also meant to be fab.

Or try searching for tattoo concealing makeup.

Good luck, and I hope the staining doesn't take years to fade!

Oh no! How awful for you Op. I think it's dermablend foundation that is used as a tattoo cover up so maybe that will help hide it?

The urban decay all nighter setting spray is an absolute dream for keeping make up on too so could be worth spraying over the top to keep it in place.

Cross post on the UD All Nighter Natasha!

If you buy Dermablend make sure you don't buy a fake. I did the first time I bought it and the difference between it and the real deal is huge. It is effective but unfortunately feels very heavy on your skin.

Ben nai spray is famous for making make up water proof

Do you think massage might help a tiny bit? I was just thinking maybe it would increase blood flow and maybe help break it down a little. Just an idea rather than medical advice! If I saw someone with that I would assume medical rather than abuse, I’ve never seen that happen before. A friend had an infusion that blew like yours and caused an awful chemical burn, it looked awful from the outside, dread to think what the inside was like

longtompot an infusion is brilliant. I normally have one about every 9-10 months and feel so much better within a day. Just be aware one of your limbs turning orange appears to be an uncommon side effect.

I was on iron tablets for years until I got gastritis and stomach ulcers. I completely sympathise with how awful taking the tablets is. Ask your GP, they might suggest an infusion would be better.