Cold application can be used for all hospitalized and outpatients to avoid pain, bruising and hematomas after receiving heparin injections.

This study was performed to estimate the effect of cold application at the site of heparin subcutaneous injection. In this study, RCTs (randomized controlled trials) were selected that had participants who received heparin through subcutaneous injections at least one time in a day. The results were measured on the basis of pain intensity, hematoma and bruising at injection sites.

This study includes nine studies, in which 896 patients (mean age of 37 to 62 years) were considered. The results showed that in eight studies, low-molecular-weight heparin was used and in one study, unfractionated heparin had been used. 

The conclusion of studies revealed that the patients had suffered less pain after the cold application at the site of heparin injection. Therefore, it is concluded that patients suffer few hematomas and less pain once the cold is applied at the site of injection before or after heparin administration subcutaneously.