FAQ

Lactose intolerance, functional abdominal discomfort, heartburn, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, haemorrhoids and coeliac disease do not prevent blood donation.

The majority of stomach medications are also allowed for blood donors. Heartburn medicines, antacids and prophylactic medication used for gastric ulcers do not prevent blood donation. However, you may not donate blood if you suffer from an inflammatory intestinal disease such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis if your condition is symptomatic or you are on medication to treat your condition. In these cases, blood may be donated a year after the end of related symptoms and drug therapy.

Gastroenteritis (e.g. stomach flu or diarrhoea) temporarily prevents donation. At least two weeks must have passed since you stopped having symptoms and taking medication before donating blood.

In the case of parasitic intestinal diseases (e.g. giardiasis, amoebiasis), at least a month must have passed since you stopped having symptoms and taking medication before donating blood. If you are an asymptomatic carrier of the disease, this does not prevent blood donation. An infection caused by the Campylobacter prevents donation for a month after the symptoms and treatment have ended.

See also surgeries and endoscopic procedures

Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

Abortion causes a six month waiting period before the next donation.

Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

As diseases, acne and rosacea do not prevent blood donation. Furthermore, the use of topical medication, prolonged courses of antibiotics or oral contraceptives prescribed for skincare do not prevent donation. A short course of antibiotics used to treat acute acne flare-ups results in a temporary donation ban of two weeks from the end of the course.

However, isotretinoin medication (e.g. Isotretinoin® and Roaccutan®) causes a temporary obstacle to donation. At least four weeks must have passed after their use has ended before you can donate blood.

​Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

Acupuncture does not prevent blood donation if the treatment is provided in Finland by a health care professional with disposable needles. Furthermore acupuncture by a medical doctor in an EU- or EFTA-country or in the UK does not prevent donation. Otherwise, acupuncture prevents donation for four months.​

Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

ADHD and the medication commonly used to treat it, do not prevent blood donation.

Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

Blood cannot be donated if you are under the influence of alcohol (drunk or hung-over). There must not be alcohol in the blood when you donate; the alcohol will be present in the blood product and can be harmful for the patient.

Excessive use of alcohol and alcoholism damage the liver and cause extensive adverse changes in the body. This is why they prevent blood donation. Also, blood cannot be donated if the prospective donor is undergoing a programme of alcohol detoxification or immediately after it.

Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

In most cases, allergy does not prevent donation. Ordinary allergies (to e.g. pollen, dust, animals or food) which are controlled using antihistamine tablets, nasal sprays or eye drops are not an obstacle to donating blood. In addition, common allergy medications (antihistamine tablets, nasal sprays, eye drops or creams used for allergic eczema) do not prevent donation.

However, a serious allergic reaction or anaphylaxis will result in a blood donation deferral period of two weeks starting after the end of treatment.

Desensitisation implemented with injections causes a three-day waiting period after each injection. If the therapy is performed with tablets, it causes a two-week long obstacle to donation starting from the day the therapy begins.

Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

The majority of infections (bacterial or viral infections) that require an oral course of antibiotics (tablets, capsules or pharmaceutical solution), cause a temporary obstacle to blood donation. You cannot donate blood while being treated with antibiotics. Once the course of treatment has ended, you must wait for two weeks before donation.

An infection that requires inpatient care or intravenous antibiotic treatment causes a three-month obstacle to donation. A superficial, mild infection that can be treated with topical treatments (antimicrobial drugs in gel form, powder, cream, drops, vaginal suppository, etc.) does not prevent blood donation.

See also: acne and rosacea

Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

Cardiogenic chest pain, cardiac infarction or recurring serious arrhythmia (e.g. atrial fibrillation) are permanent obstacles to donating. Recurring serious arrhythmia (e.g. atrial fibrillation) is a permanent obstacle to donating blood.

Arrhythmia that negatively affects performance, leads to emergency treatment in hospital or is otherwise notable with regard to cardiac function is considered to be serious. Occasional premature beats and medication used for their treatment do not prevent donation.

If you have been prescribed anti-arrhythmic drugs for the treatment of serious, recurrent or permanent arrhythmia, you may not donate blood.

Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

Asthma does not usually prevent donation and the majority of people who suffer from asthma can donate blood. Only difficult-to-manage asthma that is treated with theophylline product, cortisone tablets or biological drug causes a long-term obstacle to donation.

Exacerbation of asthma causes a temporary obstacle to blood donation, because a drop in blood haemoglobin concentration can increase and even aggravate asthma symptoms during this period. The majority of asthma medications, such as all inhalants and bronchodilators and their combinations, are allowed for donors. Also leukotriene antagonist tablets (e.g. Singular® and Montelukast®) used for the treatment of allergic asthma, are permitted drugs for donors.

Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

Symptoms of an autism spectrum disorder (e.g. Asperger’s syndrome, autism) do not prevent blood donation.

Those with an autism spectrum disorder may have particular difficulties completing forms and attending an interview. If a person is entitled to the interpretation services provided by Kela and they have difficulties with different actions, such as completing forms, it is recommended they have an interpreter with them when they come to donate blood. The use of an official interpreter is therefore permitted on the same grounds as those that apply to individuals with a sensory impairment. A relative, loved one or a friend cannot act as an interpreter.

Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

If you have been diagnosed with a bleeding disorder or haemorrhagic disease, you cannot donate blood. These diseases include haemophilia and von Willebrand’s disease. This donation restriction is based on the fact that blood donation could be detrimental to a donor with a bleeding disorder. Donation strains the bone marrow that is also burdened by the bleeding disorder.

Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

A blood transfusion given elsewhere than in the British Isles, Central or South America or Africa prevents blood donation for at least four months. If you have had a blood transfusion in the British Isles, this prevents blood donation permanently (risk of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease which is the human form of BSE or ‘mad cow disease’). Also, a blood transfusion given in Central or South America or Africa prevents blood donation permanently because of the risk of tropical diseases (trypanosomiasis infections in particular).

Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

Brain or meningeal surgery may affect eligibility to donate blood. A Blood Service consultant will assess the donor’s eligibility to donate. This assessment may require the donor’s patient records.

Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

Acute bronchitis temporarily prevents blood donation. Once you are free of symptoms and two weeks have passed since the end of possible antibiotic treatment, you can donate blood.

You may donate blood if you have chronic bronchitis and take no regular medication for it.

Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

You may not donate blood if you have had bypass surgery, balloon dilation surgery, vascular prosthetic surgery or surgery to your heart valves as an adult.

See also: heart disease

Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

The use of an interpreter is possible only in case of sensory disability or autism spectrum disorder (ASD) – when the donor has an independent official interpreter available for his or her use.

A visually impaired person may be accompanied by a personal assistant, but the donor and the Blood Service nurse fill in the health status form together.

The safety of the blood donor and blood products is very important and therefore it is necessary that the donor understands what the Blood Service staff are communicating and vice versa.

Every donor must have the opportunity to independently fill in the health questionnaire and have the interview discussion with a Blood Service nurse. For these reasons, we have very precise requirements concerning language skills and the use of an interpreter. The blood donor must have good enough command of Finnish, Swedish or English to be able to understand the content of the information package distributed to blood donors and fill in the health questionnaire. In the interview, difficult points can be supplemented together with a nurse from the Blood Service.

Blood cannot be donated if you are currently being treated for or monitored due to cancer. In addition, you may not donate blood if you have had cancer previously and have now recovered and are free of symptoms.

You can donate blood if you’ve recovered from cancer and you are no longer being monitored provided it was localised, had not spread at the time of diagnosis, and was treated by localised surgery, localised radiotherapy or irrigation therapy. Cancers of this kind include many prostate cancers and skin cancers.

Localised cancer recovery and follow-up can take for example five years, but basal cell carcinomas, for instance, may not require monitoring at all. That’s why the deferral period in the case of basal cell carcinomas will shorten to a minimum of one month.

The donation restriction related to cancer is based on the fact that blood donation could strain the donor’s system or assist in the return of the illness. This ban on donating blood is widely used around the world, and is also recorded in the regulations adhered to in Europe.

Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

Cataract does not prevent blood donation. However, cataract surgery prevents donation for at least a week.

Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

High cholesterol or the use of cholesterol medication do not prevent blood donation. However, if the cholesterol therapy was started due to a cardiac infarction, disorder of the cerebral circulation or diagnosed coronary artery disease, these cardiovascular diseases prevent blood donation.

Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is not an obstacle to donating blood, as long as it is symptom-free. The disease is progressive by nature, so if therapeutic medication for the lungs are needed, blood donation is no longer possible.

Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

Contraceptive pills, other contraceptives (e.g. contraceptive vaginal ring or IUD) and hormone preparations used for menopausal symptoms are not an obstacle to blood donation.

The placing or removing of a contraceptive capsule under the skin results in one week deferral time only if stitches have been used in the procedure.

Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

If you receive an injection of cortisone or other pharmaceutical agent in a joint, you may not donate blood for a week.

Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

Having cupping therapy prevents you from donating blood for four months if you skin has been punctured. Cupping therapy without any bleeding or puncturing the skin (such as dry cupping therapy) does not prevent blood donation.

Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

All progressive memory diseases (dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, Lewy body dementia) prevent blood donation permanently. Medication started for a memory disorder prevents donation.

Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)

Dental examinations, fluoride varnish applications, dental X-rays or adjustments of an orthodontic appliance do not prevent blood donation. Small procedures performed by a dental hygienist or a dentist prevent blood donation on the day of the procedure. Such procedures include tooth filling, tartar removal and the final installation of a crown or an implant in the mouth. Blood can be donated on the day following the procedure. Dental surgery, tooth extraction and root canal treatment cause a week-long obstacle to donation, while the installation of a dental implant in the jaw bone prevents donation for four weeks. Dental treatments or procedures carried out outside of the EU prevent blood donation for four months. You may not donate blood if you have a tooth infection or suffer from severe gingivitis. At least two weeks must have passed since the symptoms went away or you stopped taking the antibiotics before donating blood.
Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

Diabetes or elevated blood sugar levels managed with dietary changes or tablets is not an obstacle to donating blood. Insulin therapy is an obstacle to blood donation. The prerequisite is that no organ damage (such as macular changes or diabetic kidney disease) has been caused by diabetes and that there have been no episodes of low sugar (hypoglycaemia) or alarmingly high sugar levels (hyperglycaemia) in the last month, and that the medication has continued unchanged for a month.

Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

There are only a few drugs that, as such, prevent blood donation. In most cases, drugs used by a blood donor are assessed based on the reason why they are used, and the key factor is whether the disease that the drug is taken for prevents blood donation.

For example, as drugs, antihypertensives, cholesterol medications, allergy and asthma medications, drugs preventing benign prostatic hyperplasia, antidepressants, anti-inflammatories and sleeping pills do not prevent donation. Please note that there is a two weeks deferral period to blood donation after starting any antihypertensive drug and a one month period after starting any psychopharmaceutical drug.

In case of diabetes, only the use of insulin prevents donation. Other drugs for diabetes are allowed.

The majority of people using these drugs can donate blood. Please note that there is a one-month deferral period to blood donation after starting non-insulin diabetes medication (tablet form or injection that is not insulin).

Use of herbal medicinal preparations and natural drugs do not prevent donation. In addition, all nutritional supplements and vitamins are allowed.

Further information regarding the impact of drugs on the suitability to donate blood can be found under the disease for which the drug is prescribed.

See also: Antibiotic treatment

Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

Since blood donation can introduce or re-trigger epilepsy symptoms, epilepsy prevents blood donation. Also other convulsive symptoms (e.g. alcohol withdrawal seizures or convulsions with unknown origin) and use of antiepileptics or anticonvulsants are obstacles to blood donation.

If epilepsy or other tendency to have seizures is cured, possible drug therapy is cancelled and you have not had any symptoms for three years, you may donate blood.

Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

An erectile dysfunction and medication for it do not prevent blood donation.

Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

Exercising or doing sport does not prevent blood donation, but there are a couple of things to consider regarding exercise as you plan the timing of your donation.

During blood donation approximately half a litre of blood is lost and this will affect your fluid balance for a short while.

On the other hand, the decrease in hemoglobin levels will affect your performance in strenuous exercise and physical endurance, both short and long term. You can do normal exercise the day after your donation. Returning to strenuous exercise or goal-directed personal best performance may, however, take around one month from blood donation.

To ensure the proper recovery of your fluid balance you cannot do strenuous exercise or sport that causes sweating or requires straining of the donation arm on the day of your donation. To make sure that your fluid balance is as optimal as possible, do not come to donate straight after very strenuous exercise.

Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

If you suffered a fracture, you are eligible to donate blood again once the fracture has healed and any cast or splint has been removed.

Usually, a fracture that has required surgery prevents donation for at least four months. However, if the surgically treated fracture is in your fingers or toes, you may be able to donate blood sooner.

Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

If you have gallstones but are free of symptoms, you may donate blood. If you have your gall bladder removed, this prevents you from donating blood for four months.

Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

If you are an asymptomatic carrier of a gene defect, this does not usually prevent blood donation.

Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

Glaucoma does not usually prevent blood donation, nor do the eye drops used to treat the condition. However, use of tablets which contain acetazolamide (e.g. Diamox® and Glaupax®) causes a temporary, four-month long obstacle to blood donation.

Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

You can donate blood if you have gout but are free of symptoms. Also prophylactic treatment for gout does not prevent donation.

However, acute gout symptoms and the related inflammation of joints are an obstacle to blood donation until the situation has calmed down.

Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

An infection with Helicobacter pylori or treatment to eradicate it do not prevent blood donation. Blood can also be donated during drug therapy if you do not suffer from any symptoms.

Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

Haemochromatosis is a hereditary disease in which the absorption of iron from the small intestine is increased and more iron than normal accumulates in the body. Haemochromatosis is caused by a hereditary alteration or gene mutation. Excess accumulation of iron in the body can lead to abnormal liver function, pancreatic diabetes and cardiac insufficiency.

Persons with haemochromatosis can donate blood if they are monitored by their own doctor and have not developed any of the aforementioned serious symptoms of iron accumulation. However, the Blood Service consultant needs a copy of these persons’ patient records – including diagnosis, data regarding the absence of associated symptoms and a treatment plan made by the patient’s own doctor – before donation commences or when the first donation is performed at the latest.

Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

Measuring the haemoglobin levels of potential blood donors is a regulatory requirement. The measurement ensures that the donor does not have anaemia, or in other words that their haemoglobin concentration is not too low. People can donate blood if their blood haemoglobin concentration is 125–175 g/l for women and 135–195 g/l for men. Donating blood lowers the haemoglobin concentration temporarily by 10–15 g/l. Blood donors lose iron while donating blood. Iron deficiency occurs most in the youngest female donors (18–25-year-olds). For this group, we recommend donating blood no more than once a year. For other women, we recommend a maximum of 2–3 donations a year and for men a maximum of 3–4 donations a year. Donation interval, rather than a factor such as the donor’s age or diet, is the strongest single indicator of iron levels. The Blood Service does not have exact requirements or recommendations concerning ferritin levels for potential blood donors who have had their ferritin levels measured independently. In terms of blood donation, the interpretation of ferritin levels depends on why the ferritin levels and iron stores have been investigated. If the levels have been measured for diagnostic purposes and low ferritin levels have been measured, the individual in question may not donate blood. On the other hand, an incidental finding of low ferritin levels in an asymptomatic person is not, in itself, an obstacle to donation. At the Blood Service, the prevention of harmful iron deficiency is based on the different recommended donation intervals for women and men (see above) and the minimum donation intervals (at least 91 days for women and at least 61 days for men), as well as on the administration of iron supplements to blood donors in the risk group (women under the age of 50 as well as all frequent donors). Blood donors must feel well; you may not donate blood if you feel exhausted or exceptionally tired. Diagnosed iron deficiency anaemia or other symptomatic condition associated with iron deficiency should be treated. You may donate blood when your condition has improved and you have been treated for iron deficiency at least for six months.

Haemorrhoids and medication used for their treatment do not prevent blood donation.​

Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

You cannot donate blood while suffering from a headache.

See also: migraine

Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

You may not donate blood if you suffer from cardiogenic chest pain, coronary artery disease or if you have had a cardiac infarction. Also a coronary artery stenosis treated with bypass or balloon dilation surgery prevents donation.

You may not donate blood if you suffer from valvular heart disease and if you need to have regular check-ups due to the valvular heart disease every other year or more often.

Myocarditis which has been diagnosed and cured incurs a 6-month donation deferral if it was not accompanied by arrhythmia symptoms or heart failure. If the myocarditis was accompanied by arrhythmia or heart failure, it can impose a two-year donation deferral from the resolution of symptoms and treatment.

See also: arrhythmia

Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

Hepatitis A (contagious jaundice) means you may not donate blood until six months have passed after your recovery and the end of monitoring.

Having had hepatitis B without being a carrier means you may not donate blood for one to two years. The Blood Service doctor assesses each donor more specifically. Being a hepatitis B carrier means you may not donate blood. In addition, the hepatitis B carrier status of your sex partner or other person living in the same household affects your suitability to donate blood. If the donor has received full vaccination coverage against hepatitis B, the Blood Service consultant can assess the donor’s suitability to donate blood separately.

A hepatitis C infection means you may not donate blood. In addition, if your sex partner has a hepatitis C infection, this prevents you from donating blood. You may donate blood when four months have passed after the end of your sexual relationship. If a person other than your sex partner living in the same household has hepatitis C, this does not prevent you from donating blood. However, a prerequisite for donation is that the donor has not been exposed to the infected person’s blood during the last four months.

Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

After contracting cold sore for the first time the donor must wait for two weeks after getting better or two weeks after the course of possible treatment is finished.

A recurring labial herpes (cold sore) or herpes elsewhere on the skin prevents blood donation until the blisters have dried into scabs. Any medication (topical, oral or prophylactic) for the treatment of herpes does not prevent blood donation.

The first symptomatic period of herpes on the mucosae of the genitals prevents blood donation for four months. Symptomatic periods that occur later on prevent donation until the blistering phase has passed and the blisters have dried. Any medication (topical, oral or prophylactic) used for the treatment of a reoccurring genital herpes does not prevent donation.

​Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

An HIV infection prevents blood donation permanently. Also the HIV infection of your sex partner prevents you from donating blood. You may donate blood when at least four months have passed after the end of your sexual relationship.

The HIV infection of a person other than your sex partner living in the same household does not prevent you from donating blood. However, a prerequisite for donation is that the donor has not been exposed to the infected person’s blood during the last four months.

Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

Hypertension and medication for it are not obstacles to blood donation if the blood pressure can be managed with the drug therapy. To ensure that the body has become used to the effects of the medication, drug therapy must have been started at least two weeks before donating blood.

If you have low blood pressure, you may donate blood if you are asymptomatic without medication. If your low blood pressure causes symptoms of illness, you take a medicine that raises blood pressure, or if you have fainted because of your low blood pressure, we do not recommend that you donate blood. Young people often have lower blood pressure, which, for most people, corrects itself with age.

Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

Cholesterol drugs (e.g. statins) do not prevent blood donation any more if the disease itself is not an obstacle to donation.

Also antihypertensives do not necessarily prevent donation.

Blood donation is not recommended for women undertaking infertility treatments. When the goal is to become pregnant, losing iron from the donated blood is not advisable. Keeping the body’s iron balance at as good a level as possible for pregnancy is crucial.​

Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

Influenza or other respiratory tract infection with a fever prevents blood donation for at least two weeks.

In addition, at least two weeks must have passed since you stopped taking possible antimicrobial drugs (antibiotics) before you donate blood.

​Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

In most cases, being bitten or stung by a mosquito, horsefly, wasp or some other “bug” does not prevent blood donation. Also, an asymptomatic tick bite does not prevent blood donation.

However, an exceptionally violent reaction to an insect bite (symptoms including fever, extensive swelling and pain, nausea or suppuration of the bite location), causes a two-week obstacle to donation.

If a rash has developed around the tick bite (a “circular rash”), you must wait for two weeks after the rash has healed or the course of drug therapy has ended before you can donate blood.

You may not donate blood for two weeks if you have suffered an exceptionally strong reaction caused by an insect sting or bite, which has required adrenaline or a cortisone tablet or antibiotics prescribed by a doctor.

Lyme disease with general symptoms results in a three-month donation deferral period from the end of symptoms.

Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

In most cases, sleep disorders do not prevent donation. However, you may not donate blood during a prolonged, serious sleep disorder and severe sleep deprivation, because the general condition of a donor must be good. Using short-acting sleep medicine or melatonin preparations does not prevent blood donation.

​Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

Drug use prevents blood donation. An isolated case of trying drugs or casual use of drugs other than intravenous drugs causes a temporary, two week long obstacle to blood donation. The use of intravenous drugs, even just once, means you may not donate blood.

The use of intravenous pharmaceutical products (e.g. anabolic steroids) without a doctor’s prescription, even just once, prevents you from donating blood.

If your sex partner has used intravenous drugs or other intravenous pharmaceutical products without doctor’s prescription, please call our information number in order to check your eligibility to donate blood.

Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

Chronic and progressive liver diseases requiring treatment or monitoring prevent blood donation. This also applies to liver cirrhosis.

Read also: Hepatitis A, B and C

Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

Travelling in an area where malaria is endemic prevents you from donating blood for six months after returning from the trip and ending the course of antimalarial drugs. Antimalarial drug therapy that is started in Finland before the trip to a malaria risk area does not prevent donation.

Areas where according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) occurs malaria infections are considered to be malaria endemic areas. The list includes also areas where taking antimalarial drugs may not be recommended to travelers. Persons diagnosed with malaria are not eligible to donate blood for a minimum period of three years after the infection.

We will take a blood sample to test for malaria antibodies at the blood donation in the following situations:

• blood donor, who has been diagnosed and treated with malaria infection (test can been taken earliest after three years of recovery)
• first time blood donor, if she/he has lived under the age of five years in a malaria risk country
• blood donor who has lived under the age of five years in a malaria risk country and it has visited a malaria risk area during the last three years (test can be taken earliest after six months of the last visit)

We will contact you donor if the test result is positive. A positive test result leads to a permanent deferral from blood donation.

Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

The majority of patients suffering from mental illnesses or problems can donate blood. However, a prerequisite for donation is that the donor feels well, there has been no need for hospital treatment in the past six months, any possible medication has been in use for at least a month and the donor doesn’t have any medication, that could cause adverse effects to the recipient of the blood or the donor himself.

Common antidepressants do not prevent blood donation. Some of them may prevent platelet donation. Sleep medication does not prevent blood donation. Some medication used for the treatment of psychosis and bipolar disorder prevents blood donation.

It is worth checking the effect of medication on blood donation beforehand by calling our free donor helpline on 0800 0 5801 (Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-5 p.m.).

You cannot donate blood during a migraine attack, but in most cases, prophylactic medication for migraine does not prevent donation. Regular painkillers, triptans (e.g. Imigran®, Maxalt®, Naramig® and Zomig®) and beta blockers are safe preparations with regard to blood donation.

Please note that there is a three months deferral period to blood donation after starting use of a biological, injectable medicine (e.g. Ajovy®, Aimovig®, Emgality®).

Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

After a miscarriage, you must wait at least six months before donating blood. An early miscarriage (less than the 8th week of pregnancy) does not prevent blood donation.

Women attempting to become pregnant are advised to avoid blood donation, since those hoping to become pregnant should keep up a good haemoglobin level.

Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

Excision of a mole or nevus and wound suture prevent blood donation for a week. If a mole has been removed because of its suspicious nature, the results of the biopsy must be known before donating blood.

Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

Similarly to all other long-term and possibly progressive diseases of the nervous system, multiple sclerosis (MS) prevents blood donation.​

Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

​Myoma, or an uterine muscle tumour, does not prevent blood donation.

Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

Narcolepsy prevents blood donation.

Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

You cannot donate blood when you have an eye inflammation with severe symptoms. When you are free of symptoms, you can donate blood, even if you are still using eye drops.

Eye drops used for bacterial inflammation of the eyes and allergic eye inflammation or for moistening the eyes do not prevent blood donation.

Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

Because an organ transplant and medication related to it cause the immune system to weaken, donating blood is not allowed.

A tissue or cell transplant (e.g. a bone or skin graft) from another person prevents you from donating blood for four months.

However, if your own tissue is used as a graft (e.g. a tendon, bone or skin graft), this does not cause a separate obstacle to donation. The duration of the donation obstacle is assessed case-specifically based on the surgical treatment.

Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

Osteoporosis or osteopenia do not prevent blood donation. Oral osteoporosis medication and nasal sprays do not prevent donation but intravenous therapy creates a two-week obstacle to donation.

Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

Having a body piercing prevents you from donating blood for four months. Ear piercing is also considered to be body piercing.

This obstacle to donation is based on European regulations intended to reduce the risk of becoming exposed to blood-borne hepatitis C and B viruses and HIV in a piercing situation.

See also: tattoos and pigmenting

Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

Pneumonia temporarily prevents blood donation. The duration of this obstacle depends on the seriousness of the pneumonia and the treatment prescribed for it.

Pneumonia that has not required treatment in hospital and has been treated with oral antibiotics prevents blood donation for two weeks after the antibiotic treatment has ended. If you need to have a follow-up examination or a chest X-ray to confirm that you have recovered from the pneumonia, these need to be performed before you donate blood.

Pneumonia that has required treatment in hospital or intravenous antibiotics prevents blood donation for at least three months after the treatment has ended.

Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

You cannot donate blood if you are pregnant. After giving birth, you must wait at least six months before donating blood.

Donating blood once in early pregnancy does not constitute a risk, and blood donation does not increase the risk of miscarriage. However, women attempting to become pregnant are advised to avoid blood donation, since those hoping to become pregnant should keep up a good haemoglobin level.

Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

Skin psoriasis that is mild or in a calm phase and is treated with local therapies does not prevent blood donation. If the psoriasis is clearly worsening, blood donation is temporarily not possible.

Having phototherapy without light sensitising medication does not prevent blood donation. However, psoriasis that requires any kind of medication in tablet form prevents donation. Use of Neotigason medication creates a lengthy obstacle to donation: at least two years must have passed since you stopped taking the medication before donating blood.

Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

Short-term renal failure (e.g. in connection with epidemic nephropathy) temporarily prevents blood donation. In these cases, blood may be donated six months after the end of related symptoms and treatments.

You may not donate blood if you have had a kidney removed due to a disease or if you suffer from renal failure. Nephritis or pyelitis causes a three-month obstacle to donation.

Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

​Wheelchair users can donate blood if they are able to move on and off the donor bed, either independently or with the help of their own assistant (blood is donated in a semi-seated position). For security reasons, our staff will not assist with mobility.

All of our fixed locations are accessible and can be accessed by wheelchair users. If you are arriving at a mobile Blood Service donation point for the first time, please check accessibility in advance by calling the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

Donor beds at fixed donation points: height from floor to seat 65cm. The beds have fixed armrests that can be moved laterally (but are not detachable).

Mobile Blood Service donor beds: height from floor to seat 53cm, and the beds have a foot rest at a height of approx. 68 cm. The height of the armrests can be adjusted or lowered, or the armrests can be completely detached when moving onto the donor bed.

You may donate blood if your rheumatic disease (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, polymyalgia rheumatica) is free of symptoms or if it remains asymptomatic with the help of anti-inflammatories taken occasionally.

You may donate blood if your rheumatic disease (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, polymyalgia rheumatica) is free of symptoms or if the symptoms are mild and you are on anti-inflammatory medication and/or Oxiklorin®.

Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

At least three months must have passed since you suffered from symptoms of salmonella and stopped taking the medication for it before donating blood. If you are an asymptomatic carrier of salmonella it does not prevent blood donation.

Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

Scabies, crab lice and lice are parasitic insects that live on the skin. They cause local inflammation but do not spread other diseases or occur in the bloodstream. Pinworms are helminths that causes local symptoms at the entrance to the anus. None of these superficial diseases are transmitted by blood. Blood can be donated once the symptoms have subsided.

If scabies is treated by oral antibiotics, blood can be donated at the earliest two weeks after the end of the course. Local treatments for scabies, crab lice or lice do not prevent blood donation.

Medications used in the treatment of pinworms do not as such present an obstacle for blood donation.

Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

A new sexual partner prevents blood donation for four months due to the risk of HIV infection. A sex partner refers to a person with whom you have had sexual intercourse or anal or oral sex.

Changing your sexual partner – for example, getting back together with an ex-partner – is considered the same as having a new sexual partner.

If you have had more than one sexual partner in the last four months, you cannot give blood. You can give blood again when you have had no more than one sexual partner in the last four months.

The selling and buying of sexual services prevents blood donation for four months.

Even though the use of condoms significantly reduces the risk of infection, it does not remove it entirely. This is why the use of condoms do not affect blood donation restrictions related to sexual contact.

Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

You cannot donate blood while suffering from shingles. At least two weeks must have passed since you stopped having symptoms and taking medication before donating blood.

Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

A mild or moderate sleep apnoea does not prevent blood donation. A severe sleep apnoea with day time symptoms (unusual tiredness, tendency to fall asleep) prevents blood donation. You may not donate blood if you have upcoming tests for sleep apnoea with severe symptoms or if less than three months have passed since the start of treatment (e.g. nasal CPAP-therapy or surgical treatment) or if the symptoms are clearly not eased with treatment. Symptoms of sleep apnoea are caused by periods of lack of oxygen during the night. Since the drop in haemoglobin levels weakens the body’s ability to oxygenate, blood donation can worsen the symptoms of severe sleep apnoea and can therefore cause adverse effects to the donor.

Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

Smoking or the use of smokeless tobacco do not prevent blood donation, nor does nicotine replacement therapy or medication used in support of trying to quit smoking. We don’t recommend smoking before or after blood donation.

Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

If you know you will be undergoing major surgery within the next few months, you cannot donate blood.

Depending on the scope and type of surgery and speed of recovery from the procedure, surgical operations cause a one to six-month long obstacle to blood donation.

Endoscopic operations or endoscopies performed with flexible endoscopes (e.g. gastroscopy, colonoscopy and bronchoscopy) prevent blood donation for four months. Although no infections have ever been found involving poorly disinfected endoscopes in Finland, the Blood Service applies the pan-European practice of restricting blood donations in this respect.

Endoscopic operations and procedures of the joints are normally performed with a rigid endoscope and depending on the nature of the procedure, the deferral time is from 1 to 4 weeks. Very occasionally the deferral time may be 4 months, e.g. in a case of a larger knee operation, where recovery may take longer.

Minor procedures performed under local anaesthesia prevent blood donation for one to four weeks.

See also: dental care

Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)

Having tattoos or permanent pigmenting made prevent blood donation for four months. This obstacle to donation is based on European regulations intended to reduce the risk of becoming exposed to blood-borne C and B hepatitis viruses and the HI virus in a piercing situation. A cosmetic injection (e.g. lip filling) that has been done in Finland without a colouring agent does not prevent blood donation.

See also: piercing

​Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

Hypothyroidism and asymptomatic goitre do not prevent blood donation. You can donate blood after you have used thyroid hormone replacement therapy (e.g. Thyroxin®) for at least six months.

Acute, symptomatic inflammation and hyperactivity of the thyroid and treatment for this constitute a temporary obstacle to donation. You can donate blood when six months have passed since the drug therapy ended, you had surgical treatment or radioiodine therapy.

Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

Before donating blood, at least two years must have passed since the treatment and monitoring of tuberculosis ended.

Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

If you suffer from a urinary tract infection, this temporarily prevents blood donation. At least two weeks must have passed since you stopped having symptoms and taking medication before donating blood. Blood can be donated during a course of prophylactic medication against a urinary tract infection if you are not suffering from any symptoms.

Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

Most common prophylactic vaccines do not prevent blood donation. Vaccines that are safe with regard to donation include coronavirus vaccine, pneumococcal vaccine and vaccines against whooping cough, influenza, tetanus, diphtheria, polio, hepatitis A and tick-borne encephalitis.

Having a vaccination against hepatitis B prevents you from donating blood for four weeks.

Some of the preventive vaccines include attenuated pathogens. Such examples include vaccines against chickenpox, measles, yellow fever and shingles. If you are vaccinated with a vaccine that includes live viruses you must wait for four weeks before you can donate blood.

Also, possible strong reactions to the vaccination (severe pain, fever or rash) mean you have to wait for two days after the symptoms have ended before you can donate blood.

If the vaccine is given after exposure to a specific illness (e.g. after an animal bite), this creates a longer obstacle to donation than a normal prophylactic vaccination.

Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

Condyloma does not prevent blood donation.

The first symptomatic period of herpes on the mucosae of the genitals prevents blood donation for four months. Symptomatic periods that occur later on prevent donation for two weeks if the symptoms are severe and antibiotics are needed for their treatment. However, if the symptoms are mild, blood can be donated when the blistering phase has passed and the blisters have dried.

Chlamydia and gonorrhoea cause a four-month long obstacle to donation. Syphilis prevents donation. Also an old scar visible in blood tests after healed and treated syphilis prevents donation.

See also: HIV, sex and sexual behaviour

Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

Superficial venous thromboses temporarily prevent blood donation. The length of the donation ban depends on the scope of the obstruction and treatment used for it.

An isolated (first) case of deep vein thrombophlebitis (thrombosis), that has been treated with at least for two weeks with anticogulant, prevents donation. If the person who suffered the thrombosis has been or is diagnosed with a hereditary predisposition to thromboses (coagulation factor abnormality or thrombophilia), the donation ban becomes permanent. If no such tendency has been diagnosed, you may donate blood when at least three months have passed since the treatment for the deep vein thrombophlebitis ended.

A pulmonary embolism prevents blood donation for a year after the treatment has ended.

All recurrent cases of vein thrombophlebitis, that have been treated with at least for two weeks with anticogulant, create a permanent obstacle to donation.

Also, even a single vascular occlusion (thrombosis) in an ocular fundus vein prevents donation permanently.

Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

According to European regulations, a donor must weigh at least 50kg. This minimum weight requirement is necessary in order for the donor not to lose too large a share of their blood volume in the donation. Losing too much blood increases the risk of fainting and slows down recovery from the blood donation.

In order to be able to donate blood, you can weigh no more than 200 kg. The maximum weight is due to the carrying capacity of our donation beds.

Would you like more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors on 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

The minimum weight requirement is based on blood volyme.

The human body contains approximately five litres of blood. For safety reasons, the blood extracted for a donation, which totals around half a litre, may not exceed 10% of the total blood in the body.

The amount of blood in the body depends on your body weight, and for those weighing under 50 kg it is so small that donating increases the risk of post-donation complications such as faintness, nausea or dizziness.

The same weight limit is given in many international recommendations and is mentioned in the European Blood Directive, with which all Member States must comply.​