How to Treat a Hematoma at Home (with Pictures)

2024 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 09:13

A hematoma is a spill of blood into a tissue or cavity of the body due to trauma or a violent impact. It is generally not serious, but it can be painful and swollen for a few days! It disappears as the inflammation subsides and the extravasation of blood is absorbed by the body. Fortunately, there are some simple home remedies to aid healing and speed up recovery times. If the situation does not improve after a week of self-medication, see your doctor. In addition, you must also be examined if the hematoma is caused by a head injury.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Treating the Pain and Swelling

Step 1. Rest and immobilize the injured area to prevent the swelling from getting worse

Regardless of where you suffered the trauma, you should avoid standing upright. If the hematoma is on one leg and you can't help but move, use crutches to avoid putting pressure on the affected area. Use an orthopedic brace if it is located on one arm. Limit your movements as much as possible.

• Muscle activity can irritate and increase pressure on soft tissue, aggravating the hematoma.
• You could ask a friend or family member to help you with some daily activities until the injured area is healed.

Step 2. Relieve swelling by using ice every 20 minutes for the first 24 hours

As soon as you notice that a hematoma begins to develop, apply an ice pack to the affected area. The ideal would be to put it on the injured part immediately after the trauma. Leave it on for 20 minutes and continue the treatment at 20 minute intervals every couple of hours, during the first day.

• Cold causes blood vessels to narrow, thus decreasing the accumulation of blood under the skin.
• Do not keep ice for more than 20 minutes to prevent tissue damage.
• Wrap the compress in a cloth to avoid ice burns.

Step 3. Decrease the inflammation by holding the injured area up

If the hematoma is on one leg, hold it elevated above a pile of soft pillows higher than your heart. This will slow down blood flow to the affected area, which will help reduce inflammation and prevent the hematoma from spreading. Try to keep it up as much as possible.

You can use pillows, blankets, pillows, or whatever soft object you have on hand

Step 4. Apply a warm compress every 20 minutes after 24 hours

You can use a heating pad or a cloth dipped in hot water. Let it sit for 20 minutes. You can repeat the treatment several times a day, but make sure you allow a few hours between applications. Even a warm bath can produce a similar soothing effect.

• Humid heat is preferable to dry heat. However, a heating pad is just as effective.
• Warm compresses are useful in this phase because they dilate blood vessels and promote circulation. Ice, on the other hand, shrinks them, so it must be replaced with heat after 24 hours.
• Resist the urge to massage the bruised area as the bruise can spread deeper into the tissues, slowing healing.
• Never apply hot packs immediately after the trauma. The heat brings the blood to the surface, causing vasodilation and promoting the accumulation of blood.

Step 5. Take acetaminophen for pain relief

Avoid aspirin or ibuprofen as they can promote extravasation of blood and hinder clotting. Follow the dosage instructions on the package leaflet.

Do not take two different pain relievers at the same time and do not exceed the recommended dosage. You could irritate the stomach lining and cause liver or kidney damage, leading to gastrointestinal bleeding

Step 6. Bandage the affected area with a compression bandage to contain the swelling

Gently wrap a compressive elastic bandage around the injured area, without tightening it too much. You need to make sure it sticks to the skin without blocking circulation, causing tingling or scratching. Excessive compression can increase surrounding swelling and even make the hematoma worse.

Never massage the bruised area, otherwise the accumulation of blood risks moving and entering the bloodstream, becoming very dangerous

Part 2 of 3: Encouraging Healing with Nutrition

Step 1. Increase your protein intake to speed up healing

Protein is important because it helps repair tissues. Usually, you find higher levels of protein in foods of animal origin, but you can choose the ones you prefer. Adults should get at least 7 grams of protein for every 9 pounds of body weight.

• For example, a 65kg adult needs 50g of protein per day, while a 90kg adult needs around 70g per day.

• Try incorporating the following protein-rich foods into your diet:

  • 110 g of tuna = 22 g of protein;
  • 110 g of salmon = 27 g of protein;
  • 1 large egg = 6 g of protein;
  • 85g chicken breast = 26g of protein.

  

  Step 2. Get enough vitamin B12 every day to recover faster

  A deficiency in vitamin B12 can prolong the hematoma. You should get it from food sources, but you can also add a supplement to your diet. The daily B12 requirement for adults and adolescents equals 2.4 mcg.

  • Here is the relationship between weight and B12 content in some of the foods richest in this vitamin:

    • 85 g of cooked salmon = 5 mcg;
    • 70 g of cooked beef = 2.7 mcg;
    • 250 ml of milk = 1.3 mcg;
    • 2 large eggs = 1.6 mcg.

    

    Step 3. Increase your daily vitamin C intake to repair damaged tissue

    A sufficient amount of vitamin C helps the body to heal damaged tissues. Try to eat it with a balanced diet. You can use supplements, but they are not as effective. The daily requirement of adolescents ranges between 65 and 75 mg, while that of adults should reach 75-90 mg.

    • Here is a relationship between weight and vitamin C content in some of the richest foods:

      • 130 g of raw peppers = 120 mg;
      • 130 g of raw broccoli = 81 mg;
      • 1 large orange = 97.5 mg;
      • 130 g of pineapple = 79 mg.

      

      Step 4. Try to get enough vitamin K to promote blood circulation

      A lack of vitamin K can produce alterations in the functioning of the haemostatic-coagulation system that can worsen hematomas. It can be caused by antibiotics or diseases, such as celiac disease and cystic fibrosis. Consult your doctor if you suspect a deficiency in this vitamin.

      • The daily requirement of vitamin K for adults ranges between 90 and 120 mcg, while for adolescents it is equivalent to 75 mcg.

      • Here is a relationship between weight and vitamin K content in some of the richest foods:

        • 130 g of raw kale = 800 mcg;
        • 65 g of cooked spinach = 444 mcg;
        • 65 g of cooked broccoli = 85 mcg;
        • 65 g of boiled edamame = 25 mcg.

        

        Step 5. Drink plenty of water to improve circulation

        Hydration promotes healing in case of injury or injury. Water is the best liquid you can drink. Sugar-free fruit juices and decaffeinated herbal teas are also fine and can be consumed safely, as long as in moderation. Water requirements vary based on physical activity level, body size and general health conditions. In general:

        • Men should drink about 3.7 liters of water per day.
        • Women should consume about 2.7 liters per day.

        Part 3 of 3: Knowing When to See Your Doctor

        

        Step 1. See your doctor if a hematoma appears without an apparent cause

        If you notice a build-up of blood accompanied by inflammation in a specific area of the body and don't remember suffering trauma, you should see your doctor right away. This is especially true if the hematoma affects one or more vital organs, such as abdominal hematoma, which requires immediate medical attention.

        • If it is mild or moderate, you can treat it with self-medication. However, if it starts to expand and become more painful, it could indicate a serious ongoing problem. See your doctor right away to prevent the situation from getting worse.
        • Generally, older adults are at greater risk of bruising than younger adults and children. A large bruise could form even with a small trauma.
        • If you take anticoagulants (often incorrectly referred to as "blood thinners"), bruising is more likely.

        

        Step 2. Get examined for large intramuscular hematoma

        When it affects the muscle, it is characterized by persistent swelling and a bruised appearance: it is the most common hematoma. It is usually caused by blunt external trauma, where the affected area swells and develops a blood-filled bump that causes the skin to become bluish or bruised. You should see your doctor if:

        • It covers a significant portion of the body or a limb.
        • You suspect that the underlying bone is cracked or fractured it can happen if the bruised area suddenly swells excessively and cannot support any weight.

        

        Step 3. Seek medical help for head or brain injuries

        Subdural hematoma occurs when blood vessels in the brain rupture, creating a buildup of blood within the brain or between it and the skull bones. It is almost always caused by trauma or injury. Epidural hematoma is very similar, but occurs when a hemorrhage occurs between the skull and the outer layer (dura mater) of the tissue that covers the brain (meninges).

        • In the event of a subdural or epidural hematoma, medical attention should be sought immediately.
        • Chronic subdural hematoma occurs when extravasation of blood into the head occurs slowly (over days or weeks) rather than immediately after the injury. In some cases, it is possible not to remember the trauma at all. This is a major medical emergency.

        

        Step 4. Talk to your doctor if the situation does not improve after a week

        It is normal for a mild to moderate hematoma to develop after trauma, but it should begin to heal after about a day. However, if it doesn't improve at all after a week, it could indicate a serious injury or a more serious health problem. Consult your doctor to find out how to treat yourself.

        • He may recommend that you go to the emergency room for a more thorough checkup.
        • It is possible that he prescribes you a drug that can improve blood circulation and relieve the hematoma.

        

        Step 5. Go to the emergency room in case of seizures or confusion

        At first, some head injuries may feel mild when, in fact, they are moderate or severe. Unusual symptoms such as headache, loss of consciousness, difficulty breathing, memory loss, confusion, weakness, nausea, vomiting, vision changes, and seizures can occur hours or even days after the trauma. Do not underestimate them, indeed go directly to the emergency room.

        • The sooner you go to the emergency room, the better the prognosis will be.
        • At the hospital, you will have a CT scan to see if surgery is needed.

        

        Step 6. See your doctor if you experience a reaction to any medications

        Some people may have adverse reactions to pain relievers or medications prescribed to treat hematomas. If you start to complain of symptoms of an allergic reaction or side effects related to the drugs you are taking, consult your doctor to rule out serious complications.

        • Your doctor may prescribe a different drug to help decrease side effects.
        • If the allergic reaction to the drugs is severe, symptoms include skin rash, hives, fever, wheezing, wheezing, itching, and watery eyes.