Wounds, Mouth and Skin Ulcers

Must not donate if:
a) Has infected wounds, or skin ulcers, sores or mouth ulcers.

b) Has persistently inflamed or broken skin, associated with cardiovascular disease, chronic venous insufficiency, lymphoedema, diabetes mellitus or other medical condition.

If an individual has an uninfected wound or small non-infected aphthous ulcers only, accept.

Autoimmune Disease
Cardiovascular Disease
Diabetes Mellitus
Infection - General
Malignancy
Surgery
Tetanus - 2. Immunisation
Varicose Veins and Chronic Venous Insufficiency

An infected wound, a sore or an ulcer is a risk for bacteria entering the blood. Bacteria can be a serious threat to anybody receiving blood or blood components. This is because bacteria can multiply to dangerous levels after collection.

A small individual aphthous ulcer in an otherwise healthy person does not pose such a risk. Donors with recurrent severe aphthous ulceration may have a serious underlying condition, such as an autoimmune disease.

Persistently inflamed or broken skin, usually of the lower limbs, is a complication of a range of medical conditions which affect the cardiovascular and/or lymphatic systems. There is an increased risk of bacterial contamination in a blood donation if the donor’s normal skin integrity is impaired.

Addition of guidance for donors with persistent damage to the skin of their lower limbs.

If you wish to obtain more information regarding a personal medical issue please contact your National Help Line.

Please do not contact this web site for personal medical queries, as we are not in a position to provide individual answers.