What you should know about bruises
People who suffer from bleeding problems are quite familiar with bruising, however other people who experience comparable events that induce bruises may also experience bruising. Although they look quite similar to one another, bruises and bruises are not the same thing. In this article, we will discuss bruises, including what they are, what causes them, how they are treated, and the hazards that they provide for those who have hemophilia or other bleeding disorders.
What is a hematoma?
A hematoma is an accumulation of blood outside the blood vessels that produces discomfort, swelling, and disfiguring bruises. Injuries to blood vessels can also cause hematomas. Some bumps and bruises are severe enough to compromise internal organs, cause damage to the skin and tissues, and necessitate seeking medical assistance. Damage to any kind of blood vessel, including arteries, veins, and even tiny capillaries, can result in the formation of a hematoma. Trauma, such as that caused by vehicle accidents, head traumas, falls, aneurysms, and bone fractures, can result in the formation of hematomas. The likelihood of sustaining a bruise is increased in patients with certain medical illnesses, including hemophilia, blood malignancies, and liver ailments.
The location of the body is one of the primary factors that determine the type of bruise sustained. A subcutaneous hematoma will be found under the skin, whereas an intramuscular hemorrhage will be found within the muscle tissue.
What are the differences between bruises and hematoma?
Bruises are caused by the rupture of tiny blood vessels under the skin, which allows blood to seep into the tissues under the skin. Hematomas, on the other hand, are more significant ruptures of major blood arteries that lead to blood collection. Hematomas can be found deeper in the body than bruises can.
Hematomas and bruises are similar in appearance, but they are distinguished from one another by a few distinguishing qualities. A bruise is concave and causes the wounded region of the skin to turn black and blue. A bruise, on the other hand, produces a painful lump on the skin that can be red, black, blue, or purple, depending on the depth to which the blood has penetrated.
The degree of the bruising, as well as how long it lasts, might vary greatly from one bruise to the next. Even while most bruising heals within a of days to a few weeks, it is possible for bruising to remain for a month or more. Hematomas, on the other hand, might be accompanied with pain that is both more acute and more persistent than that caused by bruising.
How is a hematoma treated?
The majority of scrapes and bruises heal on their own and do not require medical attention. The same home remedies that would be used to treat a typical bruise may also be used to treat bruises that are just beneath the skin. These treatments include resting the damaged region, administering ice to the wounded area, elevating the injured area, and putting a compress such as elastic bandages to the injured area.
On the other hand, a further assessment could be necessary for deeper hematomas, such as those that are subdural or epidural. After suffering a blow to the head, anyone who has neurological symptoms such as disorientation, severe headaches, or any other neurological symptoms should seek immediate medical assistance.