Wounds, mouth and skin ulcers - Whole Blood and Components

Essential information

Obligatory

Must not donate if:

1. Has infected wounds, or skin ulcers, sores or mouth ulcers.
2. Has persistently inflamed or broken skin, associated with cardiovascular disease, chronic venous insufficiency, lymphoedema, diabetes mellitus or other medical condition.

Discretionary

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

Supporting information

See if relevant

• Autoimmune disease
• Cardiovascular disease
• Diabetes mellitus
• Infection, general
• Malignancy
• Surgery
• Tetanus
• Varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency

Additional information

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.

Reason for change:

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

Version details:

WB-DSG Edition 203 Release 68 (09 May 2023)