Home Remedy for a Hematoma of the Upper Hand

Hematomas of the upper hand are large bruiselike areas commonly caused by blunt force trauma. The blood vessels under the skin will have ruptured; the skin will look red or purple due to blood clots forming. The injured tissue and blood vessels may continue to bleed underneath the skin, depending on the severity of the injury. Pain, swelling and redness are signs and symptoms of a hematoma. The injury can sometimes be associated with a bone fracture. If a fracture is suspected, seek medical attention immediately. Less severe hematomas can be treated at home using a variety of home remedies.

Apply ice quickly after the injury has occurred. Avoid moving the hand to prevent further injury. Ice will decrease swelling and bleeding by decreasing blood flow and circulation. Elevate the hand while applying an ice pack.

Wrap the hand in an elastic bandage to decrease further swelling and bleeding immediately after injury. Elastic and other types of bandages can be purchased at the first aid section at most pharmacies. The bandage pressure and wrapping may prevent further leaking of blood into the surrounding tissue in the hand.

Use heat compression after 48 hours, if pain continues to be present. Apply warm towels or compresses for 20 minutes to aid in repair of the injured tissue, according to advice from Health Scout, a USA today online guide. Soaking hands in warm water is also considered heat therapy and has the same benefits as applying warm compressions. Follow with ice packs to decrease swelling caused by the warm compresses. Implement heat therapy up to three times a day.

Rub cream or lotion containing vitamin K onto the skin. Look for the ointments at drug or grocery stores. The ointment will diminish bruising faster by breaking down blood clots, suggests Mother Nature, a website devoted to herbal remedies and treatments. Eating foods high in vitamin K, such as green leafy spinach, doesn’t help a bruise that has already occurred.

Watch for signs of increased pain, fever and redness. Contact a medical professional if symptoms do not decrease. It may take several weeks for a hematoma to disappear. Hematomas heal faster starting at the head, and then slower toward the lower part of the body. Discoloration in a light skinned person, where the hematoma turned from dark purple to yellow, will show the bruise is healing. Seek medical attention if hematomas appear frequently with no injury; the bruising can be a sign of anemia.