Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 3: Treatment
• Part 2 of 3: Correcting your diet
• Part 3 of 3: Types and Symptoms of Hematomas
• Tips
• Warnings

A hematoma is a localized blood clot under the skin that can have a reddish-bluish tinge and form a lump on the surface (bruising). Usually, a hematoma results from a blunt force strike, which leads to rupture of blood vessels and hemorrhage. Large hematomas are dangerous because they put a lot of pressure on the blood vessels, which can slow down blood circulation. Although it is imperative to see a doctor in the event of a serious injury, treating a hematoma at home is equally important.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Treatment

1. 1 Rest and try not to move the injured part of your body. Muscle activity and movement can increase pressure on the blood vessels in the soft tissues, often leading to inflammation. If possible, try to move as little as possible in the next 48 hours after the injury.
   • It is best to lie in a natural position (for example, on your back with outstretched arms and legs). This will allow the hematoma to heal faster and prevent complications. This applies primarily to the limbs and joints.
2. 2 Apply a cold compress to the affected area as soon as possible. Ice should be applied to the hematoma as soon as you notice it, but no later than 24-28 hours after the injury. Low temperatures slow down blood circulation, and this stops bleeding. Do not press the cold compress on the skin for more than 15–20 minutes, as this can damage the tissues.
   • Wrap a few ice cubes with a damp towel (18-27 ° C) and apply to the bruised area for 10 minutes. Repeat the procedure 4-8 times a day to lower the local temperature by 10-15 degrees.
   • Cold constricts blood vessels, reduces swelling and prevents blood from accumulating under the skin. Applying a cold compress immediately after an injury helps stop bleeding and shrinks the area of ​​the hematoma.
   • Cold also slows down the local metabolic process in tissues and reduces the risk of hypoxia (that is, cell death from lack of oxygen).
3. 3 Place the bruised area on a raised platform. This is especially important if you have bruised a limb. Placing the injured area in an elevated position will slow down blood circulation in this area, which will prevent the hematoma from enlarging. Place pillows or blankets under the limb.
   • The bruise should be above the level of the heart.This reduces the local capillary pressure and pressure in the tissues, relieves edema, promotes lymphatic drainage and the breakdown of waste secretions in the blood.
4. 4 Apply to injury warm compress if more than 24-48 hours have passed since the injury. Use a heating pad or towel soaked in warm water. The compress should not be hotter than 37–40 ° C. Unlike cold, heat does a better job of healing as it dilates blood vessels, improving circulation, allowing important nutrients to flow into damaged tissues and promoting the healing process.
   • The accelerated blood flow also carries away substances that can cause inflammation from the bruise. In addition, heat reduces painful sensations: a warm compress suppresses irritating processes in damaged tissues, and this masks the pain.
   • Remember: a warm compress should not be applied in the first hours after an injury. Expansion of blood vessels will only harm you. You should also not massage the bruise and take alcohol, as this will dilate blood vessels and accelerate blood circulation.
5. 5 It is possible to expand blood vessels only after a while. after trauma (at least 24 hours, ideally more than 48). Hematoma can be treated in the following ways:
   • Warm bath... Take a warm bath. Like a compress, warm water will also promote vasodilation, which will help not only reduce pain, but also get rid of blood clots by improving blood circulation.
   • Isotonic exercises... It is necessary to contract and relax the muscles at the site of injury (flexor and extensor muscles) with moderate speed and strength. These muscle contractions accelerate blood circulation by rhythmically constricting blood vessels, which in turn improves blood circulation.
6. 6 Take a pain reliever. Take acetaminophen to relieve pain. Do not take ibuprofen or acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin), as they impair blood clotting and prolong bleeding.
7. 7 Use RICE treatment to speed up the healing of your hematoma. RICE is an acronym used in the treatment of trauma: Rest - rest, Ice - ice, Compression - compression, Elevation - lifting. Do not stress the injured limb and apply ice compresses to the hematoma within 48 hours of the injury to reduce inflammation. When not applying a compress, apply a compression bandage to the injury to avoid disrupting blood circulation. Swelling can be reduced by holding the limb above the level of the heart - for example, you can lie down and put a pillow under the damaged area.
   • Do not massage the hematoma, otherwise the blood clot may move and enter the bloodstream, which is very dangerous.

Part 2 of 3: Correcting your diet

1. 1 Eat more protein. Protein will speed up tissue repair. Typically, animal foods contain much more protein than plant foods. Here are some examples of protein foods, ranked in descending order of protein content:
   • Whey Protein Isolate (Undenatured, pH Peak)
   • Tuna;
   • wild salmon;
   • halibut;
   • poached egg;
   • turkey breast;
   • cottage cheese;
   • chicken breast.
2. 2 Get enough vitamin B12. Deficiency of this substance contributes to the formation of hematomas, the development of anemia and negatively affects blood clotting. Vegetarians are at risk because plants do not contain vitamin B12. If you do not eat meat, take this vitamin tablets.
   • Vitamin B12 is found in a wide variety of protein foods, including internal meats (beef liver), shellfish, poultry, eggs, milk and dairy products, and some cereals and cereals.
3. 3 Don't forget about vitamin C. Adequate intake of this vitamin daily will help tissues form new bonds and repair. This is especially important for the walls of blood vessels. Talk to your doctor about which vitamin C supplements you should take.
   • Papaya, broccoli, strawberries, pineapple, cauliflower, and oranges are high in vitamin C.
   • As a rule, regular consumption of a variety of foods provides the body with the necessary amount of macro- and microelements, and vitamins in tablets are usually prescribed only in special cases - for example, during pregnancy or if a person does not eat well.
4. 4 Pay attention to vitamin K. Deficiency of this vitamin is rare among adults. However, vitamin K deficiency is often the result of poor fat absorption and / or is a side effect of certain antibiotics. Vitamin K deficiency leads to poor blood clotting and hemorrhagic diseases. Talk to your doctor if you think you are deficient in this vitamin.
   • Vitamin K sources include green tea, leafy vegetables (kale, spinach, parsley), broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts, liver, soybean oil, and wheat bran.
   • Sourdough dairy products, including yogurt, cheese, and soy cheeses, also contain menaquinone (vitamin K2).
5. 5 Drink plenty of water. To improve blood circulation and speed up healing, it is important to maintain the body's water balance. Personal rate varies with weight, height, activity level, and general health. In general, men are advised to drink 15.5 glasses of water per day (3.7 L) and women 11.5 glasses (2.7 L).
   • It is best to drink water. You can also consume unsweetened fruit juices and decaffeinated teas in moderation, but the base should be water.
6. 6 Add turmeric to your meals. It has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties that suppress infections. Turmeric contains essential oils that improve circulation and increase red blood cell count. Thanks to this, the hematoma resolves faster.
   • Dissolve a spoonful of turmeric in a glass of milk and drink this mixture once a day. You can use turmeric as a spice. Use it until the hematoma has healed.
   • Turmeric has medicinal properties, but there is no research to prove it. If you use this method, combine it with others.

Part 3 of 3: Types and Symptoms of Hematomas

1. 1 Determine what type your hematoma is. The term "hematoma" refers to a blood clot on the outside of blood vessels. Usually the clot is liquid and is located in the tissues. If the hematoma is more than 10 millimeters in diameter, it is called a bruise or hemorrhage. There are many types of hematoma, and they can occur in different parts of the body. The main types are:
   • Subcutaneous hematoma. It is located just under the skin.
   • Cephalohematoma. This is a hematoma between the skull and the periosteum (the membrane that covers the outside of the bones).
   • Epidural hematoma. This hematoma occurs in the dura mater (one of the membranes in the brain and spinal cord).
   • Subdural hematoma. It is located in the arachnoid membrane (in the second membrane of the brain and spinal cord).
   • Subarachnoid hematoma. It is found in the pia mater (in the deep lining of the brain and spinal cord).
   • Perianal hematoma. Such a hematoma occurs on the border of the outer and inner sides of the anus.
   • Subungual hematoma. This is a very common type of hematoma.
2. 2 Know the main symptoms. Symptoms depend on the site of the injury and the size of the hematoma. The following symptoms are most often observed:
   • Pain... This is the most common symptom. It is attributed to tissue inflammation.
   • Edema... If the tissue fills with blood, inflammation begins there, leading to swelling.
   • Redness... The redness in the bruised area is caused by blood collecting under the skin. In addition, inflammation also explains the redness.
   • In severe cases of internal bruising, headache, confusion, loss of consciousness, or weakness in the limbs are possible. In such cases, we recommend that you immediately seek medical help.
3. 3 Be aware of the risk factors. The main cause of hematomas is trauma.When practicing contact sports (martial arts, boxing, wrestling), injuries are inevitable, but there are other reasons as well.
   • Poor blood clotting... Patients with diabetes and hemophilia often find numerous hematomas on their bodies, since their blood does not coagulate well or does not coagulate at all.
   • Working conditions... Work with a risk of injury (for example, at a construction site) increases the risk of a hematoma. Most often, injuries occur in the workplace, leading to subcutaneous and subungual hemorrhages.
   • Age... The elderly and young children are more prone to bruising because they have weak blood vessels.
   • Excessive alcohol consumption... Long periods of chronic alcohol consumption make a person prone to bruising. Alcohol dilates blood vessels, making them easier to damage.
   • Unnatural childbirth... If a vacuum extractor is used during childbirth, the baby may develop a cephalohematoma. A too long second phase of labor can also lead to such a hematoma.
   • Vitamin C, B12, or K deficiency.
4. 4 Be aware that a hematoma can also be removed surgically. Some hematomas require surgery and drainage. Talk to your doctor about your treatment options.

Tips

• This article provides treatment for simple bruises caused by minor bruises and is not a substitute for complete medical attention.

Warnings

• If pain from a hematoma or swelling suddenly worsens, if the injured area is numb, or the limb below the hematoma turns pale, seek immediate medical attention.