A hematoma is a collection of blood under the skin and may look like a reddish-blue swelling (bruising). Usually, torn and ruptured blood vessels are caused by severe trauma to the body. A large hematoma can be dangerous because it will compress the blood vessels, thereby inhibiting blood circulation. While seeing a doctor is the best solution, there are several things you can do to treat a hematoma yourself at home, which can start with Step 1 below.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Treating a Hematoma
Step 1. Rest the injured body part and don't move too much
Muscle activity and movement will irritate and increase pressure on soft tissue, which can trigger inflammation. If possible, rest for the first 48 hours when you develop a hematoma.
Resting your body in a normal anatomical position (ie lying on your back with your palms and feet facing up) will help the healing process and prevent serious injury. This is especially true for cases of hematomas that occur on the feet and hands and joint areas
Step 2. Immediately apply a cold compress in the early stages of the hematoma, approximately within 24-48 hours of the injury
Apply an ice pack to the injured area as soon as you notice a hematoma is starting to develop. Low temperatures will slow blood flow so that bleeding can be reduced. Remember, don't put the ice pack on your skin for more than 15-20 minutes or your body tissue may be damaged.
- Use melted ice on a wet towel (18-27°C) to apply to the injured area every 10 minutes. Repeat as many times as needed (4-8 times a day) to reduce skin temperature by 10-15°C.
- Cold temperatures cause vasoconstriction (narrowing of blood vessels) thereby reducing the possibility of post-injury swelling and blood clots under the skin. Early in the injury, vasoconstriction helps limit the blood flowing out of the blood vessels and reduces the area of the clot.
- Vasoconstriction will also reduce the metabolism of tissues in the area around the injury, which will reduce the possibility of “hypoxia” – ie damage to cells due to lack of oxygen supply.
Step 3. Use a “warm” compress at the healing stage (after 24-48 hours), with a temperature of around 37-40°C
The opposite of a cold compress, a warm compress is more beneficial for the healing period of an injury because it can dilate blood vessels, so this compress will increase circulation and circulation of food nutrients needed to repair damaged tissue.
- Increased circulation of blood circulation will also help clear the inflamed exudate (a collection of damaged cells that exit the blood vessels into the tissue) and other dead cells from the wound that is about to heal. Furthermore, the warm sensation will reduce the pain by fighting off the cause of the inflammation so you will feel numb.
- As a warning: do not give a warm compress when the wound is still in the beginning - Enlarged blood vessels at this stage will be more dangerous. Also avoid massaging the injured area and drinking alcohol. Both of these should absolutely not be done in the early stages of an injury because it will cause the underlying vessels to dilate and increase blood flow.
Step 4. Do activities that enlarge blood vessels after the initial stage of injury
Again, do so within 24-48 hours of the injury. Here are some things you can do to treat a hematoma:
- Massaging. Massage in circular motions or long straight movements to increase blood circulation and restore veins. Massaging can also directly help launch blood clots under the surface of the skin, so that the body will more easily dissolve and accelerate blood circulation. Do not do this if the injury still hurts.
- Take a shower with warm water. A warm bath that relaxes the body will have the same effect of dilating blood vessels as when you use a warm compress. As well as helping to ease the pain, doing so will also help remove blood clots from the injured area – all of which are beneficial for increasing blood circulation.
- Muscle training. Basically, this exercise aims to make both the flexor and extensor muscles in a certain area contract without having to move the whole body. This type of contraction increases the chances of clean blood returning by rhythmically compressing the blood vessels, which in turn increases blood circulation.
Step 5. Lift the injured area
This is especially helpful for injuries to the hands or feet. Positioning the hematoma area on a higher surface will reduce blood flow to that specific area, so the hematoma will not enlarge. Use a pillow or blanket to support the injured area so that it is elevated.
Position the injured area as high as possible above the position of the heart. Doing this will reduce pressure on the capillaries or fine blood vessels around the injured area, prevent swelling, help drain lymph tissue, help remove exudate, reduce pressure on tissues, help relieve pain at the injured area, and will ultimately speed up the process. healing
Step 6. Take a pain reliever or painkiller
If you don't have any other illnesses or you're not on anticoagulant treatment, you can take any type of pain reliever. Ibuprofen is often the best choice for many people; however, you can ask your doctor to hear his opinion about the best medicine for you.
You can immediately take the drug at a dose of 200 to 400 milligrams. Ibuprofen should be given as needed every four to six hours
Part 2 of 3: Cure Hematoma with Diet
Step 1. Eat more protein
Protein is useful for repairing body tissues. High levels of protein usually come from animal sources, not plant-based. Here are some examples of protein sources (arranged from the foods with the highest protein content to the lowest), based on their biological value (protein substances that are easier for the body to digest):
- Whey protein isolate – the highest pH (alkaline), the original protein substance that is not modified or mixed
- Tuna sashimi
- Wild Salmon
- Halibut
- Half boiled egg
- Turkey chicken breast
- Venison
- cottage cheese
- Sardines
- Chicken breast
- Lamb's leg
- Soy protein
- pork ribs
- Fried egg
- Ground beef
- Hot dog
Step 2. Meet the intake of vitamin B12
Lack of vitamin B12 (cobalamin) will facilitate the occurrence of bruising, pernicious anemia, and blood clots. This is especially true for vegetarians - plant-based food sources do not have vitamin B12, unless it is given as a supplement. If you don't eat animal foods, take a vitamin B12 supplement.
Vitamin B12 can be found naturally in a variety of animal food sources, including offal (beef liver), foods that contain shells or shellfish (mussels), meat, poultry, eggs, milk and other foods made from milk, cereals breakfast, and nutritious yeast
Step 3. Meet the intake of vitamin K
Vitamin K deficiency (K1 - phylloquinone and K2 menaquinone) may occur due to insufficient fat absorption and/or antibiotic intake. Bleeding and blocked blood clotting are examples of diseases associated with vitamin K deficiency.
- Food sources that contain vitamin K include green tea, leafy green vegetables (such as chard, cabbage, parsley, and spinach), broccoli and cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, liver, soybean oil, and whole grains.
- Fermented milk-based foods, including yogurt, cheese, and fermented soybeans, including miso and natto, contain menaquinone (vitamin K2).
- The recommended daily intake of vitamin K is 120 mcg for adult men and 90 mcg for adult women.
Step 4. Also meet the intake of vitamin C
Additional daily intake of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) (500 mg) will help the formation of new tissue and maintain and repair it, especially for the walls of blood vessels.
- Excellent sources of vitamin C are papaya, bell peppers, broccoli, strawberries, pineapple, cauliflower, and oranges.
- As a rule, regular intake of a variety of food sources is more than sufficient to meet the needs of macro and micro nutrients – supplements should only be prescribed in special situations, such as malnutrition and pregnancy.
Step 5. Drink plenty of water
Maintaining hydration and increasing the body's fluid requirements are also beneficial. Make sure you drink water whenever you feel thirsty, or at least 1.5-2 liters per day (everyone's needs vary, depending on their size). The more you drink, the more toxins are released from the body's system – the results will be seen in the size of your waist, hair, skin, and nails.
Water is better than any other type of drink. Unsweetened fruit juices and decaffeinated teas can be safely drunk if consumed in moderation; but focus on water
Step 6. Use turmeric
Turmeric contains anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties that can prevent inflammation or more severe infection of the wound. Turmeric contains essential oils that can improve blood circulation and red blood cell count. Thus, the hematoma can be much easier to shrink.
- Dissolve one teaspoon of turmeric powder in a glass of milk and drink once a day. Alternatively, you can use turmeric as a food condiment if you are cooking at home. Use turmeric until the hematoma is gone.
- Turmeric is widely known to have medical benefits, but there is no specific scientific evidence to support it. If you use turmeric, make sure you supplement it with beneficial foods as well as other remedies.
Part 3 of 3: Understanding Your Hematoma Condition
Step 1. Find out what type of hematoma you have
The term hematoma refers to a collection of blood that is outside a blood vessel. Usually, this collection of blood is in the form of liquid and is in the tissue. Hematoma size that exceeds 10 millimeters is called ecchymosis. There are many types of hematomas, depending on the area of the wound. The most common types include:
- Subdermal hematoma, found just below the surface of the skin.
- Cephalohematoma, which is a type of hematoma that appears between the skull and the periosteum (the membrane that covers the outside of the bone).
- Epidural hematoma is a type of hematoma that appears between the dura mater (one of the membranes that surrounds the brain and spinal cord).
- A subdural hematoma occurs between the arachnoid mater (the second membrane that surrounds the brain and spinal cord) and the dura mater.
- Subarachnoid hematomas occur between the pia mater (the innermost membrane that surrounds the brain and spinal cord) and the arachnoid mater.
- Perianal hematoma is a type of hematoma found on the periphery or inside the anus.
- Subungual hematoma is the most common type of hematoma, and can be found under the nail.
Step 2. Recognize the possible symptoms
Symptoms of a hematoma depend on its location and size. The following are some of the symptoms that often accompany an ordinary hematoma:
- Pain. Pain is one of the most common symptoms of a hematoma and is caused when the tissue where the hematoma occurs is inflamed.
- Swelling. If a tissue is filled with blood, it will become inflamed and will eventually swell.
- Reddish skin. The skin in the area of hematoma formation looks red due to inflammation and blood cells that accumulate under the surface of the skin (subdermal hematoma).
- Headache and dizziness. In the case of a subdural hematoma, the accumulated blood cells will press on the surrounding tissue and make these tissues inflamed. This will cause headaches, as well as dizziness and confusion, because the hematoma will press on the nerves in the head.
- A state of semi-consciousness followed by falling unconscious. This semi-conscious state begins right after the blood begins to pool. As the blood continues to flow, you may pass out.
- Weak hands and feet. Again, this symptom refers to a severe case of cranial hematoma (hematoma that occurs in the head). The pool of blood will press on the pyramidal tracts of the brain that are connected to the nervous system, causing weakness in your hands and feet.
Step 3. Find out the risk factors
One of the main causes of certain types of hematoma is trauma. When you engage in contact sports such as martial arts, boxing, or rugby, you will suffer trauma to different parts of your body. However, there are other causes as well, namely:
- Blood clotting conditions. When you have certain conditions such as diabetes or hemophilia, you are at risk of developing multiple hematomas, because in these conditions the blood does not clot properly, or may not clot at all in some cases.
- Work environment. Working in an environment with a high risk of trauma, such as a construction site, puts you at risk of developing a hematoma. The most common types of hematomas that occur because of the work environment are subdermal hematomas and subungual hematomas.
- Age. Older people or very young children are at risk of developing hematomas (especially subdural hematomas on the membranes of the second brain, because their blood vessel structure is weak.
- Excessive alcohol consumption. Consuming alcoholic beverages chronically over a long period of time will make you susceptible to hematomas. Alcohol contains substances that can widen and damage blood vessels.
- Abnormal labor and birth processes. If you are a woman who gave birth vaginally or by vacuum, your newborn is at risk of developing a cephalohematoma. The second stage of labor that is too long can also cause this type of hematoma.
Step 4. You should know that performing surgery is an option
Some types of hematoma require surgical intervention and drainage. Subdural hematoma with visible symptoms should be operated on immediately. In this case, the surgical procedure was performed under anesthesia. Talk to your doctor about appropriate treatment.
