Can I take a shower before having blood drawn?

Sep 20, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Liu Feng

Introduction

In general, it is acceptable to take a shower before blood collection. However, if there are open wounds on the skin or if you have a cold, showering before blood draw is usually not recommended. When the body has no wounds, showering will not affect blood test results and can help maintain skin cleanliness. After showering, it is important to stay warm, dry off immediately, and avoid catching a cold.

Bathing before blood draw is generally acceptable under normal circumstances. However, if there are open wounds on the skin or if you have a cold, bathing before blood collection is usually not recommended. The specific reasons are as follows:

When there are no wounds on the body, bathing does not affect blood test results and can help maintain skin cleanliness. After bathing, it's important to stay warm, dry off immediately, and avoid catching a cold.

However, if there are open wounds on the skin, bathing before blood draw is not advised. Exposing wounds to water during bathing may worsen infection, potentially increasing white blood cell count in a complete blood count (CBC) test and affecting the accuracy of results. Additionally, if you already have a cold, blood tests may not reflect your true health status. You should avoid bathing before blood collection to prevent exposure to cold, which could exacerbate your condition.

In addition, after dinner the night before the blood draw, you should fast, avoid drinking large amounts of water, and refrain from consuming spicy, stimulating, or overly greasy foods. Maintain a regular sleep schedule and avoid staying up late. Remaining in a fasting state before blood collection helps ensure accurate test results.

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