Care of Veins

No matter who is giving factor concentrate to the person with a bleeding disorder, he or she should be careful to protect the veins.  Veins are a lifeline to a person with hemophilia.  People with hemophilia should remind health care workers who are not used to treating hemophilia to use the correct needles.  The best types are the butterfly needles.  They are the least likely to scar the vein.  Occasionally, however, it might be necessary to use a different type of needle in case of emergency or for infusion of other products.

If the veins in your arms are small, you can make them grow larger by exercising.  One way is by squeezing a tennis ball to exercise the forearms.  Your hemophilia nurse can show you how.