If you have psoriatic arthritis and you’re wondering if you can donate plasma, the simple answer is yes. However, there are specificities that you should be aware of first. Generally speaking, the American Red Cross said most people with chronic illnesses are qualified to donate blood as long as they can manage their conditions and meet all the eligibility guidelines for donation.
What Is Plasma?
Human blood comprises 55 percent plasma, a yellow liquid, while the other percentages consist of red and white blood cells, platelets, and other substances. Plasma is responsible for carrying nutrients, hormones, and proteins to other parts of the body.
The process of donating plasma is called plasmapheresis, and it’s a perfectly safe procedure. The time it takes to complete the method isn’t much different from a regular blood donation. Moreover, the effects after doing it are the same in all people, regardless of whether they have a chronic condition or not.
Lightheadedness or bruising at the blood-draw site is a common experience for every donor. Whole-body reactions are pretty rare, and there has been no evidence or research suggesting having chronic conditions like psoriatic arthritis (PsA) make donations unsafe. The human body typically takes forty-eight hours to replenish the plasma taken during donation and six weeks to replace the blood.
Reasons for Immediate Donor Disqualification
While it isn’t unsafe for people with PsA to donate plasma, certain factors could disqualify them from giving. The first is a person’s medication. Some prescribed drugs like Arava, Aspirin, Rinvoq, Soriatane, and Tegison automatically disqualify a person with PsA from donating plasma. If you take these medications but still want to donate, you’ll have to stop and wait for a prescribed period before you’re cleared for the donation process.
If you’re taking Arava, you’ll need to wait two years before you can donate plasma. Aspirin requires a waiting time of two days, while it’s a whole month for Rinvoq. Stopping Soriatane will need three years of waiting, while Tegison makes you entirely ineligible for donation.
Another reason for disqualification is if you have anemia, which is a disorder that results in the blood having an inefficient amount of healthy red blood cells. People suffering from PsA or other autoimmune diseases are more prone to developing conditions like anemia of inflammation or iron-deficiency anemia.
Reasons for Delaying Donation
While you may not be experiencing the factors that determine immediate disqualification, you could still face some that will cause you to delay your donation. For example, if you’re having a flare-up of symptoms from psoriatic arthritis, you would have to put a hold on donating plasma.
A flare-up could mean you’re experiencing high inflammation levels, joint pains, swelling, and fatigue. All of these things create unideal situations for being a donor and will only worsen your current condition. Some of the medication you take to address the flare-up could also temporarily prevent you from being a donor.
Another reason for the delay is if you’re suffering from an infection of any sort because it could easily transfer through the blood you donate. If you’re taking an antibiotic, you have to wait until you complete the prescribed period to take it.
Conclusion
Plasma donation is a safe procedure and doesn’t differ much from a regular blood donation. The American Red Cross allows people with chronic illnesses to donate given that their condition is well-managed and they meet the other qualifying guidelines in place. It’s important to make sure you meet the rules and regulations before you donate plasma.
thplasma is an innovative, community-driven plasma donation company. Contact us today to find out more information, including where you can find the nearest plasma donation center.