From the Guidelines
No, you should not apply a warm compress to a hematoma initially, as cold application is recommended to decrease hemorrhage, edema, pain, and disability. According to the 2010 American Heart Association and American Red Cross guidelines for first aid 1, cold therapy is the preferred initial treatment for soft-tissue injuries, including hematomas. The guidelines suggest applying cold to the affected area using a plastic bag or damp cloth filled with a mixture of ice and water, with each application limited to 20 minutes to prevent cold injury. Some key points to consider when treating a hematoma include:
- Cold application is the initial recommended treatment to reduce bleeding, swelling, and pain
- Heat application to a contusion or injured joint is not as effective as cold application in the initial stages 1
- The use of a compression bandage for a joint injury is not clearly beneficial, and its application should be considered on a case-by-case basis
- It is essential to monitor the hematoma for any signs of complications, such as increased pain, swelling, or difficulty moving the affected area, and seek medical attention if necessary.
From the Research
Hematoma Treatment
- The application of warm compresses is not recommended for hematomas, as it can potentiate the body's inflammatory reaction to trauma and result in increased discomfort 2.
- Cryotherapy, or the application of cold, is a more effective treatment for hematomas, as it diminishes the inflammatory reaction to trauma and reduces edema, hematoma formation, and pain 3, 4, 2.
- Applying cryotherapy after subcutaneous anticoagulant injection can decrease the frequency of hematoma formation and reduce its size compared to applying it before injection or not applying it at all 3.
- Cold-pack therapy has been shown to be more effective in reducing hematoma size than compression therapy, such as sandbag application 4.
- In the case of large or severe hematomas, operative evacuation may be necessary to prevent complications such as necrosis of the overlying skin or tissue ischemia 5.