Signs and Treatment for Hematoma

Hematoma is the result of internal bleeding. It is the result of a fall, accident or some similar causes for hemorrhage. When a blood vessel leaks into its surrounding tissue an hematoma forms. An injury or trauma to a blood vessel wall may occur spontaneously leading to blood leakage.

While the word trauma is often associated with a major injury, it can also refer to routine or minor damage. The abnormality is seen in the form of bruises or ecchymosis and is also known to develop internally. The diagnosis of the condition is mainly to identify whether the bleeding is inter-muscular and intramuscular.

Hematoma shows up, most commonly, in the form of a severe bruise. The accumulated blood is visible under the skin surface, largely due to the accumulation taking place outside the blood vessels. There are formations that resemble welts sometimes and the area is usually taut and hard. This sign of the condition is mainly due to body response.

The body creates a blood sac to prevent excessive external bleeding, outside the blood vessels. While most of the time, the sac eventually dissolves; there are a few stray instances when it grows and turns painful at touch.

In the latter, the sac is surgically removed. Hematomas migrate in the connective tissue and hence, it is not uncommon to see the whole limb sometimes looking blue and displaying reduced mobility.

There are specific symptoms that are unique to the location of the hematoma in various parts of the body. Let us go through some of the different types of hematoma commonly observed.

• Intracranial hematoma: described as the blood clots that occur within the skull and can affect brain function. 

The resulting symptoms may include, headache, vomiting, nausea and mental alterations.

• Epidural hematoma: occurs due to trauma or injury to the arteries outside the lining of the brain, in the epidural space. Signs of hematoma include, loss of vision on the injured side, fixed and dilated pupil on the side of the injury or loss of consciousness.

• Subdural hematoma: occurs because of trauma and damage to the veins that line the brain and causes a slow leakage of blood into the subdural space. Symptoms observed in this hematoma are gradual and with increasing intensity. Headache and confusion which increases as time lapses or fluctuating levels of consciousness.

• Intracerebral hematoma: occurs due to bleeding from uncontrolled high blood pressure, or trauma or stroke and the blood clots that are located within the brain tissue itself. One of the common symptoms of intracerebral hematoma, which is often confused with subarachnoid hematoma, is a severe headache followed by vomiting.

• Subarachnoid hematoma: occurs when blood leaks into the subarachnoid space leading to symptoms like intense headache, neck stiffness, and vomiting.
• Scalp hematoma: occurs when blood leaks between the bone and the skin of the scalp, outside the skull. This occurs due to trauma or injury and is largely asymptomatic.

• Subungual hematoma: generally occurs underneath the fingernail because there is no room between the nail bed and the tightly adherent nail bed causing bleeding. The obvious symptom is infrequent intense pain.

• Hematomas of the ear: may occur if an injury causes bleeding to the outside helix or cartilage structure of the ear causing parts of the cartilage to shrivel and die.

• Perianal hematoma: occurs due to forceful or strained bowel movement or lifting of heavy weight, leading to the rupture of a small vein that drains blood from the anus. The symptoms are mild to severe pain around the injured area.

Hematomas that are intracranial in nature need to be addressed immediately. In the case of contusions, there are a number of ice packs available at the pharmacies to cause the much-needed reduction in blood flow. These packs are also effective to reduce hemorrhage and swelling. It helps to elevate the limb.

As the blood flows away from the area, there is considerable reduction in the swelling as well. It is very important to rest the limb and prevent any further injury. Depending on the cause for the condition, warm towels or heating pads are also used. This quickens repair.

The hot and cold applications follow one another, necessarily in that order, to take care of the resultant swelling and increased tissue fluid. At times, a pressure-bandage is used. However, while the first aid of this sort may work most of the time, the development of infection, severe pain, fever and pus should be addressed by a physician only.

Hematoma leads to the collection of blood within a tissue or organ and just outside the blood vessels. The condition can occur anywhere on the body and is the direct result of a fall or accident. Most of the time, the blood is reabsorbed within the system quickly.

The outward signs of such hematoma surfaces are in the form of contusions or bruises and/or black-eyes. The condition is most commonly observed under a finger or toenail. Hematomas always accompany fractures.

The accumulation of blood should be addressed immediately to avoid complications from setting in, especially if the cause is an accident. The area remains painful for some time and adds to the trauma that usually accompanies a fracture or muscle damage after a fall.

Hematoma is neglected most of the time by brushing it aside as a common bruise. However, it should not be neglected if the swelling and pain persists. It is completely treatable and surgery is an option only in severe, advanced cases.