BRUISES AND HEMATOMAS

Bruises and hematomas occur when blood leaks out of a damaged blood vessel after trauma. Although these terms are often used interchangeably, there are differences between them, including their appearance, symptoms, healing time, and the type of blood vessels involved.

A bruise is a skin mark caused by small amounts of blood leaking from small-sized blood vessels, such as capillaries. Bruises are also referred to as ecchymoses or contusions. Those occurring beneath the skin's surface are typically quite visible, and their main characteristics are:

• Change in skin color (initially purplish, then turning bluish, and later yellowish-green, gradually returning to the normal color as it fades away);
• Tender to touch and flat (although slight swelling may be present);
• Usually, there are few complications, and they resolve without medical intervention within two weeks.

Hematomas are larger bleedings that typically involve blood vessels of a different scale. In a hematoma, the blood that escapes the blood vessel accumulates and coagulates, forming a cluster of blood at the site. Hematomas can be subcutaneous, also presenting changes in skin color, redness, pain, and swelling, or develop anywhere in the body, such as in the muscle or around a specific organ or periosteum (membrane covering the bone). A hematoma may require medical care, and the healing time can vary from weeks to months, depending on the size and location of the hematoma.

Seek medical assistance if you experience elevated pressure in the hematoma area, accompanied by pain, infection, or fever, or if the hematoma appears spontaneously without an apparent cause.

What to do after a fall or collision with a hard surface?

• Apply ice or cold water to the affected area for 10 minutes, with a 20-minute break, after which this process should be repeated several times. The cold will help alleviate pain and inflammation, as well as reduce swelling.
• Apply anti-inflammatory and anti-thrombotic gels, creams, or ointments to aid in the healing process, improve blood flow, and alleviate swelling and pain.

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