| Hematoma | Contusion (bruise), a simple form of hematoma. | Specialty Emergency medicine |
|---|
What is a large hematoma?
Hematomas are
larger bleeds
and often involve larger blood vessels. With a hematoma, the leaking blood pools and clots to form a firm and tender mass. Hematomas can form deep within the body, such as within a muscle or in or around an internal organ.
How big is a large hematoma?
| Hematoma | Contusion (bruise), a simple form of hematoma. | Specialty Emergency medicine |
|---|
When should you worry about a hematoma?
Seek immediate medical care (call 911) if you suspect a hematoma due to head injury, especially if you, or the person you are with, is
vomiting or experiencing confusion or loss of consciousness
for even a brief moment.
How do you describe the size of a hematoma?
Hematomas of the skin may also be named based upon their size. Petechiae are tiny dots of blood usually
less than 3 millimeters in diameter
(0.12 inch) while purpura are less than 10 millimeters in diameter (0.40 inch) and ecchymosis is greater than 10 millimeters in diameter.
Should you rub out a hematoma?
Most haematomas get better quickly and remember to
avoid massage to your injured area
. Some may take longer to resolve and you might feel a raised lump for some time. After the first 48 hours and whilst you wait for it to heal, just keep gently exercising and stretching the area as long as you don’t cause pain.
Is hematoma serious?
Bruises generally are
not serious
. In contrast, a hematoma is a leakage from a larger blood vessel. The mark that it leaves might be dark blue or black, but it can also cause significant redness. More severe traumas cause hematomas, which may be serious and require medical treatment.
How do you treat a large hematoma?
- Rest.
- Ice (Apply the ice or cold pack for 20 minutes at a time, 4 to 8 times a day.)
- Compress (Compression can be achieved by using elastic bandages.)
- Elevate (Elevation of the injured area above the level of the heart is recommended.)
How do you treat a big hematoma?
Put ice or a cold pack on the area for 10 to 20 minutes at a time
. Prop up the bruised area on a pillow when you ice it or anytime you sit or lie down during the next 3 days. Try to keep it above the level of your heart. This will help reduce swelling.
Will a hematoma lump go away?
Sometimes,
hematomas can go away on their own
. If you have a muscular hematoma, doctors generally recommend the RICE method — rest, ice, compression, and elevation to reduce the swelling and give it time to heal.
Can you get a blood clot from a hematoma?
Blood clots can also result from damage to a
blood vessel
. When an injury occurs to a blood vessel, such as damage from a cut or impact from a blunt object, blood leaks out of the blood vessel and into the tissue around it. It forms a collection of blood that often clots, which is called a hematoma.
What if my hematoma doesn’t go away?
If you have a hematoma over your shinbone, your doctor may recommend surgery. If you have a large hematoma that doesn’t go away for several days following your injury, your doctor might suggest that
it be drained
.
Can you drain a hematoma yourself?
If blood is spontaneously draining from the hematoma,
drainage of subungual hematoma is generally not required
. You should not try draining your subungual hematoma at home as improper drainage may result in infections or permanent damage to the nail bed.
Is a hematoma hard or soft?
In general, superficial hematomas of the skin,
soft tissue
, and muscle tend to resolve over time. The initial firm texture of the blood clot gradually becomes more spongy and soft as the body breaks down the blood clot, and the shape changes as the fluid drains away and the hematoma flattens.
How long does a hematoma last?
The swelling and pain of the hematoma will go away. This takes from
1 to 4 weeks
, depending on the size of the hematoma. The skin over the hematoma may turn bluish then brown and yellow as the blood is dissolved and absorbed. Usually, this only takes a couple of weeks but can last months.
What’s the difference between a contusion and a hematoma?
A bruise, also known as a contusion, typically appears on the skin after trauma such as a blow to the body. It occurs when the small veins and capillaries under the skin break. A hematoma is a collection (or pooling) of blood outside the blood vessel.
