Apply ice packs, wrapped in a cloth, to the affected site for approximately 20 minutes one or more times during the first 24 hours following the formation of the bruise or hematoma. You may apply warm, moist compresses to the site for 20 minutes one or more time during the second 24 hours after the collection.
A hematoma is a swollen area that is filled with blood. It may form at the puncture site after a blood draw. What can I expect? The blood in the hematoma will be absorbed by your body over the next few days.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), bruising after a blood draw typically heals quickly. However, if the bruise is large, it may take 2–3 weeks to fade and disappear.
Rest and protect the bruised area. 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.
Risk: Risks associated with having an IV placed or blood drawn, may include mild discomfort, bruising, bleeding, blood clot and a very slight risk of infection at the needle puncture site. Some people who have needle punctures may become lightheaded, nauseous or faint.
Sometimes superficial thrombophlebitis spreads to a deeper vein (deep vein thrombosis, or DVT). These deeper clots can be serious, even life-threatening. It is very important that you follow your doctor's instructions, keep all follow-up appointments, and watch for new or worsening symptoms of a clot.
Blood clots may look red and swollen, or like a reddish or bluish skin discoloration. Other blood clots may not be visible in the skin. Blood clotting (coagulation) is a bodily process that prevents excessive bleeding when a blood vessel is injured.
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.
Any bruise or other hematoma of the skin that increases in size over time could also present a danger. If a clot from a hematoma reenters the bloodstream, it can block an artery, cutting off blood flow to part of the body. Without prompt treatment, this can result in permanent tissue damage.
Most hematomas eventually dissolve, but in some cases they may continue to grow or show no change. If the lump stays or causes pressure on other structures (usually in the legs), then it may need to be surgically removed.
If the hematoma symptoms are severe or if it continues to expand over the course of a few days, you should visit your doctor right away. Emergency medicine, urgent care, primary care physicians frequently care for patients with hematomas.
Medical attention may be sought for a hematoma if its symptoms are severe or its size continues to expand. For example, hematoma in the brain (subdural) or epidural hematoma generally require prompt medical and surgical attention, especially if they are associated with neurologic problems.
Drainage surgery may be recommended if the hematoma puts pressure on the spinal cord, brain, or other major organs. In other cases, drainage may be the best route to prevent a hematoma from worsening that is at an increased risk of infection.
A hematoma is a swollen or raised area at the venipuncture site resulting from the leakage of blood into the tissues.
With a hematoma, the leaking blood will pool and clot, or form clumps of blood. This can cause a hard and tender mass. When it is closer to the surface of the skin, a hematoma may look like a painful red, black, or blue lump.
It is normal to have some bruising after having your blood drawn. A bruise occurs when a blood vessel is damaged and blood escapes into the tissue under your skin. The pooling of blood causes a discoloration that is usually darker than the surrounding skin.
Some hematomas can affect internal organs, damage your skin and tissue, and be severe enough to require medical attention. Hematomas can result from an injury to any type of blood vessel, such as arteries, veins or small capillaries.
Self-care: Rest the area. Rest will help your body heal and will also help prevent more damage. Apply ice as directed.
One common complication of all hematomas is the risk of infection. While the hematoma is made of old blood, it has no blood supply itself and therefore is at risk for colonization with bacteria.
In some cases, a hematoma will not require treatment. The body will usually reabsorb the blood from the hematoma over time. To manage a hematoma under the skin, nail, or other soft tissue, a person should rest the injured area and apply an ice pack wrapped in a towel to reduce any pain or swelling.
The trauma causes tiny blood vessels, called capillaries, to break, and then blood leaks from the vessels into the surrounding tissue. Sometimes, enough bleeding occurs so that a lump also forms (this lump is called a hematoma).
The key is to ensure that the hematoma is not older than 48 hours. In most cases, the hematoma can be drained with a large needle without any complications. Follow up of patients is recommended to ensure that there is no infection and the hematoma has resolved.
Superficial thrombophlebitis is an inflammation of a vein just below the surface of the skin, which results from a blood clot. This condition may occur after recently using an IV line, or after trauma to the vein. Some symptoms can include pain and tenderness along the vein and hardening and feeling cord-like.
USING HEAT OR ICE FOR BLOOD CLOT IN LEG
According to a study from PubMed, ice is commonly recommended as a treatment to decrease bleeding thus could be used to help dissolve blood clots.
Blood clots usually dissolve on their own. If not, the clots can potentially lead to life-threatening situations. There are two main types of blood clots: thrombus (clot does not move) and embolus (clot breaks loose and moves). If the clot is immobile, it generally won't harm you.