Giving Blood

Here is some detail on whether you can give blood if you have Raynaud's or Scleroderma.

Raynaud's

You must not donate if your condition was caused by malignancy.

If your condition is associated with or caused by any prescribed drugs or medication, infection with Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C or any other diagnosis that blood donation have not asked, please call to check with the helpline on 0300 123 23 23, Monday to Friday, 9am to 7pm as blood donation may need to transfer you to the Referral Team who can deal with more complex issues.

If none of the above applies, you may donate as long as you do not have any of the conditions we have asked, even if you are taking vasodilator medications to treat the condition such as Nifedipine, Nicardipine, Amlodopine or Losartan.

Scleroderma

You may donate as long as:

  1. You feel fit and well
  2. You have no associated heart problems
  3. You have not had any blood transfusion, plasma exchange or immunoglobulin treatment since 01st January 1980
  4. You have never had a blood clot*
  5. You have no other related conditions apart from Raynauds Syndrome** (even if taking painkillers) and you must wait 7 clear days from cortisone/steroid injections
  6. You are not currently taking nor have you had any of the following tablets, injections or treatments in the past 12 months:

Azathioprine
CellCept
Ciclosporin
Efalizumab
Enbrel
Etanercept
Humira Injections
Hydroxycarbamide
Hydroxychloroquine
Hydroxyurea
Hydrea
Imuran
Infliximab
Methotrexate
Mycophenolate
Plaquenil
Prednisolone
PUVA
Raptiva
Remicade
Steroids by mouth
Steroid injections - slow release injections
(this does not include a single steroid injection)
Sulfasalazine

*If you have ever had a blood clot, please look up the guidelines for Thrombosis.
**If you also have Raynaud's syndrome, the following medications will not prevent you from donating:

Nifedipine
Nicardipine
Amlodopine
Losartan

If you are a COMPONENT/PLATELET DONOR - There are some painkillers and Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory drugs that will affect you donating platelets.


If your condition was caused by Rheumatoid Arthritis, Sjogren's Syndrome or Lupus, please look up the relevant condition.