People who use Copaxone injections to manage their Multiple Sclerosis often experience irritation and bruising at injection sites. However, severe bruising, characterized by an area larger than a 50 cent piece with extreme pain, may be a cause for concern and in this case you should contact your physician immediately. For mild bruising, characterized by an area smaller than a 50 cent piece with little to no pain, you can take several precautions at home to stop the bruising.
Preventing bruises after Copaxone injections is best done by always using a sharp needle and giving yourself the shot as quickly as possible. If you slowly insert and pull out the needle, you will be more likely to bruise.
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Rotate injection sites daily. Never inject yourself in the same spot twice in a row. This increases trauma to the tissue on that site, making you more likely to bruise after the injection.
3
Apply a cold ice pack wrapped in a cotton towel to the injection site as soon as you finish self-administering the Copaxone. This will help alleviate tissue trauma and reduce bruising. Remove ice after 15 minutes.
4
Mix one part apple cider vinegar with one part water and moisten a towel in the solution. Apply the towel to the injection site for a few minutes at a time, and do this several times a day. According to HealBlog.net, this will treat and prevent bruising after injections.
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If you experience severe bruising or a large amount of discomfort, visit your physician. Mild bruising is a side effect of Copaxone, but only your physician can determine if what you are experiencing is within the normal and acceptable side effects.
Tips & Warnings
Drink at least 64 ounces of water a day to maintain adequate hydration. This will ensure that your cells and tissues will be able to heal efficiently and will lessen recovery time from bruises.
If you experience bleeding from an injection site that persists for more than 15 minutes, or experience severe bruising, contact your physician or visit your local emergency room immediately. These can be symptoms of more severe side effects that require medical attention.
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