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Warning-sign checks

Hepatic hemangioma: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Call emergency services if severe abdominal pain occurs with:

    • Fainting, marked dizziness, or confusion
    • Pale, cold, or clammy skin
    • Severe weakness or a racing heartbeat
    • Trouble breathing
    • Vomiting blood or signs of major bleeding

    These symptoms do not prove that a hemangioma has ruptured.

    They can indicate internal bleeding or another serious condition that requires immediate care.

    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Contact your healthcare team promptly if known symptoms become noticeably worse, you develop jaundice, or follow-up imaging was recommended but has not been arranged.

    Jaundice means yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes.

    Seek urgent medical assessment for sudden, severe, or persistent abdominal pain, particularly after a blow or injury to the abdomen.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Arrange a routine appointment if you have ongoing upper abdominal discomfort, repeated nausea, early fullness, or questions about an imaging result.

    These symptoms are often caused by something other than the hemangioma, but they deserve assessment if they persist.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Hepatic hemangioma. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.