Hemophilia, Established

Home care

To care for yourself at home:

• If you have bleeding in a joint, put an ice pack on it. Do this for 20 minutes at a time. Do it every 2 hours. Move that joint as little as possible.

• Use acetaminophen for mild pain.

• Don’t take any product that has aspirin. Aspirin can make you bleed.

• Don’t use ibuprofen or naproxen unless your healthcare provider tells you to.

• Use prescription pain medicine only as prescribed. Misuse of opioid medicine may lead to problems.

• Talk with your provider if your pain medicines aren’t working. Ask about a pain management plan. You can ask about a referral to a pain clinic.

General care

Keep up your strength. This helps protect your joints from injury and bleeding. Choose physical activity that is safe for you.

OK if you have mild hemophilia:

• Swimming

• Running

• Bicycling

• Soccer

• Basketball

• Baseball

OK if you have moderate to severe hemophilia:

• Swimming

• Running

• Bicycling

Heavy-contact sports are not OK. These are dangerous when you have hemophilia. They have a high risk of bleeding from injury. Don’t do:

• Wrestling

• Football

• Hockey

To stay safe:

• Tell coaches and friends you have hemophilia. Tell them to get help right away in an emergency.

• Wear a medical alert bracelet or necklace.

Follow-up care

• Follow up with your healthcare provider. Have checkups every 6 to 12 months.

• Get vaccines for hepatitis A and B. Make sure to get other vaccines you need.

• Tell all of your healthcare providers that you have hemophilia. Remind them before you have surgery.

• Tell your dentist that you have hemophilia. Remind them before you have a tooth removed.

When to get medical care

Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these:

• Any serious physical injury

• Gum bleeding that won’t stop

• Bleeding that won't stop after pressure for 10 minutes

• Pain or swelling in your knee or ankle 

• Pain or swelling in your elbow, shoulder, or wrist

• Muscle pain or swelling in the thigh, calf, or arm

• Head injury, even just a bump on the head

• Severe headache with nausea or vomiting

• Seizure

• Sleepiness and confusion

• Severe back pain

• Can't move an arm or leg

• Nosebleeds that don’t ease after pressure for 10 minutes

• Blood (bright red or dark) in your urine

• Blood (black or red) in your poop or vomit