Hematoma (cont.)
Siamak N. Nabili, MD, MPH
Dr. Nabili received his undergraduate degree from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), majoring in chemistry and biochemistry. He then completed his graduate degree at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). His graduate training included a specialized fellowship in public health where his research focused on environmental health and health-care delivery and management.
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.
In this Article
- What is a hematoma?
- What are the causes of hematoma?
- What are the symptoms and signs of a hematoma?
- When should I seek medical care for a hematoma?
- How is a hematoma diagnosed?
- What is the treatment for a hematoma?
- Can I care for a hematoma myself?
- What is the medical treatment for a hematoma?
- Should I follow-up with my doctor?
- Can a hematoma be prevented?
- What is the outlook after suffering a hematoma?
What are the causes of hematoma?
The most common cause of a hematoma is injury or trauma to blood vessels. This can happen as a result of any damage to blood vessels that can disrupt the integrity of the blood vessel wall. Even minimal damage to a small blood vessel can result in a hematoma. For example, a hematoma under a nail (subungual hematoma) can simply occur from minor trauma to the nail or from a light stroke against an object.
More severe traumas can cause more major hematomas. Falling from a height or getting into a motor vehicle accident can cause noticeably large bleeding under the skin or inside body cavities (chest or abdomen).
Other types of tissue injury causing a hematoma can result from surgeries of any sort, invasive medical or dental procedures (for example, biopsies, incision and drainage, cardiac catheterization), and injection of medications (for example, insulin, blood thinners, vaccines). Because these procedures damage nearby tissues and blood vessels, often hematomas may form around the site of the procedure.
Occasionally, a hematoma may happen spontaneously without any identifiable cause or recollection of any specific injury or trauma.
Certain blood thinner medications can increase the risk of hematoma formation. People who take medications such as Coumadin (warfarin), Plavix (clopidogrel), aspirin, Persantine (dipyridamole)), or aspirin-containing products (like Alka Seltzer) may develop a hematoma much easier and with less severe injury to their blood vessels than other people. These medications impair the clotting ability of the blood and therefore, minor damage to a blood vessel becomes more difficult to repair, resulting in hematoma formation.
Other common medications and supplements that may increase bleeding tendencies include:
- vitamin E,
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Aleve),
- garlic supplements, and
- Ginkgo biloba.
In summary, a list of medications causing excess bleeding include:
- warfarin (Coumadin),
- clopidogrel (Plavix),
- aspirin,
- aspirin-containing products (Alka Seltzer),
- dipyridamole (Persantine),
- vitamin E,
- NSAIDs, for example, ibuprofen, Motrin, Advil, Aleve,
- garlic supplements, and
- Ginkgo biloba.
There are also certain medical conditions that may pose an additional risk for developing hematomas. Individuals with the following conditions are potentially at a higher risk for hematomas:
- chronic (long standing) liver disease,
- excessive alcohol use,
- bleeding disorders (such as hemophilia and Von Willebrand disease),
- blood cancers, or
- low platelet count (thrombocytopenia).
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