Hematoma is a collection of blood that comes out of a damaged blood vessel or vein. Unlike a bruise, a hematoma is usually accompanied by significant swelling. The severity of the hematoma completely depends on the location. Some cases of hematoma require a medical procedure to remove the blood buildup or can heal over a long period of time. Hematomas, whether occurring on the head or near internal organs, should be examined by a doctor immediately. This type of hematoma should not be treated at home. Hematomas that occur just under the skin (subdermal) on the arms and legs can be treated at home after getting an evaluation from a health care provider, to make sure no other complications arise.
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Part 1 of 2: Treating Hematoma at Home
Step 1. Perform the R. I. C. E. method
R. I. C. E. stands for Rest (rest), Ice (ice compress), Compression (compression), and Elevation (elevating the position of the injured part). These steps can be done at home to treat hematomas on the arms and legs and should be done every day for best results.
Try to do the R. I. C. E. method. immediately after experiencing a hematoma in order to obtain optimal recovery and healing
Step 2. Rest the part of the body that has the hematoma
Make sure you rest the hematoma area for the first 24-72 hours of hematoma occurrence. This will prevent further bleeding and restore the area.
Some doctors recommend resting the lower extremity with a hematoma, such as the leg, for at least 48 hours. The length of time the area is rested depends on the size of the hematoma area
Step 3. Ice the area for 20 minutes, several times a day, for the first 48 hours
Use an ice pack wrapped in a towel, or do an ice massage on the part of the body that has a hematoma. This method will reduce pain and swelling in the area of the hematoma.
- To do an ice massage, freeze the water in a plastic foam cup. Hold the cup and place a cloth or paper towel over the limb that has the hematoma, then place the cup filled with ice.
- Never put ice or ice packs directly on the skin as this can increase the risk of thermal burns or frostbite.
- After the first 48 hours, you can apply a hot compress, such as a heating pad or a very warm washcloth. Use two to three times a day to help the body reabsorb the blood in the hematoma area.
Step 4. Apply compression to the hematoma area to reduce swelling
Use a compression bandage or an elastic bandage (which is specially used for compression) on the hematoma area until the swelling is reduced. You can get elastic bandages and compression bandages at your local pharmacy or drugstore.
- Areas with hematomas should be bandaged for a minimum of two to seven days. Make sure the compression bandage is used correctly and is wrapped tightly, but doesn't impede blood circulation to the limb being bandaged.
- A bandage is said to block blood circulation if the bandaged area feels throbbing or the skin color changes to a darker purple color or is completely pale.
Step 5. Elevate the area of the hematoma
This method will help reduce pain and swelling. Raise the limb with the hematoma higher than your heart and support it with a chair or a pile of pillows.
Step 6. Take over-the-counter pain relievers or anti-inflammatory drugs (without a doctor's prescription)
This medication will help with the pain and swelling you experience while the hematoma is healing.
- Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) is a very effective pain reliever and anti-inflammatory drug. Follow the dosage instructions on the bottle and take no more than two pills at a time. Repeat this dose every four to six hours.
- Naproxen sodium (Aleve) is also an anti-inflammatory drug. You can take this medication every 12 hours as needed to treat pain and swelling.
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is an effective pain reliever that can be used to relieve discomfort or pain.
- If you are bleeding, do not take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin, because they can affect blood platelets and make bleeding more difficult to stop.
Step 7. Wait a few months for the hematoma area to fully heal
If you have a hematoma on your arm, leg, or hand, you should diligently carry out home care and be patient as the blood in the hematoma is reabsorbed into the body. After a few months, the hematoma will go away on its own and the pain will subside.
Part 2 of 2: Getting Medical Treatment
Step 1. Go to the nearest hospital if you have a hematoma on your head or internal organs
Injuries to areas of the body other than the arms or legs should be evaluated immediately because of the risk of an internal hematoma.
- An acute subdural or epidural haemorrhage in the brain can occur within minutes or hours. Both occur around/within the brain, both occur with trauma, and both should be evaluated immediately. If not treated promptly, these two haemorrhages can cause severe brain injury and possibly death. Subdural bleeding is usually accompanied by a "thunderclap" headache (a type of headache that occurs like a flash of lightning, is sudden and severe).
- There is also the possibility of chronic subdural bleeding. This type of bleeding can last from a few days to a few weeks and you may not notice any symptoms for some time after you develop a hematoma. Hematomas that occur inside the head or internal organs should be examined by a doctor to avoid serious complications.
Step 2. Go to the nearest medical facility if there is broken skin on the hematoma area
If the skin in the area of the hematoma is damaged, there is a risk of infection. The doctor will examine the hematoma and decide whether the method of removing blood from the hematoma area should be used or not.
If there are new bruises of unknown origin, this could be a sign of another medical problem. The doctor should examine the newly appearing bruise and determine the possible cause
Step 3. See a doctor if your symptoms do not improve after two weeks
If the hematoma on the extremity does not improve despite diligent home care after two weeks, make an appointment to see a doctor. Swelling and pain in the hematoma area should decrease after two weeks of good home care. The doctor will examine the area of the hematoma and find out if there are other medical problems that are slowing the healing process.
