A collection of blood is called a hematoma.It is usually accompanied by significant swelling, unlike other bruises.Some hematomas may need to be medically drained or take a long time to heal, depending on their location.If you have hematomas on your head or near your internal organs, you should get them checked out by a doctor.These types of hematomas should not be treated at home.After evaluation from a healthcare provider, hematoma can be treated at home if found on your arms and legs.
Step 1: Do the R.I.C.E.?
R.I.C.E.It means rest, ice, compression, and elevation.These steps can be used at home to treat hematoma on your arms and legs, and should be practiced on a daily basis for the best results.It is possible to apply R.I.C.E.The hematoma can be developed as soon as possible for optimal recovery and healing.
Step 2: The limb should be resting with the hematoma.
Rest the affected area during the first 72 hours of the hematoma.This will allow the area to heal.It is recommended by some physicians that you rest your lower limb for at least 48 hours.Depending on the extent of the hematoma, the rest period is dependent on how long it lasts.
Step 3: The area should be ice covered for the first 48 hours.
You can apply an ice pack wrapped in a towel or ice massage the limb.This will make the hematoma less painful.Ice massage can be done by freezing a plastic foam cup of water.Place a cloth or paper towel over the limb and apply ice.If you apply ice directly to the skin, it increases the risk of a thermal burn or frostbite.After the first 48 hours, you can use a heated compress, such as a heating pad or a very warm washcloth, two to three times a day to help your body reabsorb the blood from the hematoma.
Step 4: The hematoma should be compressed to decrease swelling.
If the hematoma appears swollen, use a compression wrap or elastic bandage.There are compression wraps and elastic bandages at your pharmacy.For at least two to seven days, you should maintain compression on the area.Make sure the compression bandage is snug and doesn't cut off blood circulation to the limb.A wrap that cuts off circulation will cause throbbing in the area or skin color changes.
Step 5: The affected area should be improved.
Reducing the pain and swelling will be aided by this.The affected limb should be raised above the level of your heart on a chair or a stack of pillows.
Step 6: Take an over-the-counter pain relief.
As the hematoma heals, this medication will help with the pain and swelling.Ibuprofen is an effective pain medication.Take no more than two pills at a time and follow the instructions on the bottle.The dosage should be repeated every four to six hours.Aleve is an anti- inflammatory medication.It is possible to take this medication every 12 hours for pain and swelling.Tylenol is an effective pain relief that can be used to ease any pain.If you have a bleeding disorder, avoid taking NSAID drugs as they can interfere with blood platelets and prolong your bleeding.
Step 7: It will take a few months for the hematoma to go away.
If you have a hematoma on your arm, leg, or hand, you should be patient as the blood reabsorbs into your body.The hematoma should fade on its own after a few months.
Step 8: If you have a head injury, you should go to the nearest hospital.
Any injury to an area that isn't an arm or leg should be evaluated immediately.Over a period of minutes or hours, there can be an acute subdural or epidural hemorrhage to your brain.Both occur in the brain and both require immediate evaluation.They can lead to a severe brain injury if not treated quickly.A "thunderclap" headaches is often accompanied by subdurals.It is possible to have chronic subdural hemorrhage.Over a period of many days to many weeks, this type of hemorrhage can develop and you may not notice any symptoms until after the hematoma develops.If you have a hematoma on your head or internal organs, it's important that you get it checked out by a doctor.
Step 9: If the skin on the hematoma is broken, go to the nearest medical facility.
You may be at risk of infections if the skin is broken on the hematoma.If it would be beneficial to drain the blood from the hematoma, your doctor will need to examine it.These could be a sign of a medical problem.Your doctor should look at the new injuries and figure out what's causing them.
Step 10: If your symptoms don't improve after a couple of weeks, you should see your doctor.
You should make an appointment to see your doctor if the hematoma doesn't improve after two weeks of home treatment.After two weeks of good home care, you should see less swelling and pain from the hematoma.If there are other medical issues slowing down the healing process, your doctor will examine the hematoma.