Eosinophil count - absolute

Alternative names:

absolute eosinophil count; eosinophils

What the risks are:

• excessive bleeding
• fainting or feeling lightheaded
• hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
• infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)
• multiple punctures to locate veins

Special considerations:

The eosinophil count is nonspecific (it does not tell, for example, if an increase is caused by allergy or parasite infection). It is most often used to confirm a diagnosis.

Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others.