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?

Do you think it's definitely iron stain rather than a bruise? My mum has terrible bruising the last time she gave blood. Hoping it's bruising and fades.

I had ferritin of 6 and felt awful even though Hb was 12 (ie normal) so don't let anyone tell you you shouldn't be feeling tired with low ferritin, I felt better within a couple of days of infusion

You can definitely get waterproof concealer, not sure where from but a friend of mine with a large birthmark on her leg used to get it when we were kids

I’m really hoping it’s just bruising. It looked like this 30 minutes after the infusion and hasn’t changed colour at all as yet though. When I bruise I tend to go green/blue first and orangey/ brown happens a few days later. I’ve never been bruised from the inside before though so maybe the colours come up in a different order? Maybe, hopefully?

Thanks for the concealer recommendations too. It’s not cheap! I’ve ordered a variety of shades in anticipation of getting a tan in a few weeks.

It was a suggestion from my gp, but she wanted me to try the tablets first. I'm trying to take them at least every day as I need to have a follow up blood test with some added tests (she didn't say what).
I hope you find a makeup which hides the bruise for you. I wonder if stage makeup would work?

I hate to say it but you could have that staining a long time if it is from an extravasation injury - iron is particularly bad.

We give Ferinject at work and I've seen this happen once, we now have to warn people and get them to sign a consent form saying they understand the risks before we start it.

wowzel that doesn’t sound promising. Have you heard of anything that can be done to speed up the fading? Massage? Or would laser tattoo type removal work in the same way possibly?

Hi, so same thing happened to me 3weeks ago, I was 30weeks pregnant at the time and needed infusion as iron levels were 8 and I need to have a c section.. however iv line wasn’t put into a vein properly... just wondering has yours faded much since?

Staining is permanent. Find a specialist doctor who does fraxel laser. They need to do certain setting on it and over a few sessions it blasts the iron so it can be absorbed. Daughters staining was as bad as yours.

I had an infusion 10 days ago (ferritin level was 2). Had a fabulous bruise and still waiting to feel better!

Sorry!didn't realise that this was a zombie thread

Hi there
Was curious what happened with this. I just had an iron infusion today and by this evening I’m really worried I’ve got skin staining.

Hi There I had a iron stained in my leg 🦵 is being there for couple of months now I know the I will not go away please help me if anyone knows a place where I can
Laser it to break out the pigmentations please help me

Sorry to resurrect this thread but this has just happened to me.
@Sophieb2211 and @HouseyMcHouseFace: how are your stains now?

I have a portacath in my right chest - a permanent device to offer venous access after numerous hospital admissions and collapsed veins. The iron extravasated out fo this so now my entire right breast is stained a dark brown.

Is there any hope?

Hi! Mine is still there unfortunately. I was booked in for a consult with a skin clinic to see about getting it removed with laser but then Covid happened so I haven’t been back. It’s Defs something I will be doing in the new year. It 100% has faded. Certainly not the horrible dark colour it was at first. I’m really sorry this has happened to you as well, but it absolutely will fade and become less noticeable but it’s still there. X

Hi just came across this thread (I know its a few years old now) but wondered if anyone had any luck with either the iron stain fading/reducing or any treatments? The same has happened to me on my arm after an iron infusion drip went wrong. Thanks!