Suggest Remedies For Swollen Arm Post An Injury

Posted on Thu, 14 Apr 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 14 Apr 2016 Answered on

Thu, 9 Jun 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : I scraped my arm severely (through clothes - no broken skin). almost immediately, there was swelling. Maybe golf ball sized or slightly larger. Do i need to go to the ER?

Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Can you upload a picture?

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,

It would be unusual to have so much swelling without some sort of crush injury or an allergic reaction. Can you please upload a photo or two of the swelling so I can see what you are talking about? The better the quality photo, the better. On the page you wrote your question, on the right side of the page there is a button for "uploading reports".

Also - put ice on it now.

Will respond after I hear back from you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (1 hour later)

It seems to be getting worse. I am getting a bit worried. Should I go to ER?

Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Yes, go to ER.

Detailed Answer:
If it has not gone down at all with ice, yes, go to the ER. This is an unusual reaction from just scraping one's arm. There may be soft tissue damage underneath.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar