Everyone has bruises – some more, some less. Although the hematomas can be painful, in most cases they are not a cause for concern. Rarely, however, a serious illness can be behind it or treatment may be required. You can find out here when bruises are dangerous.
If you fall off your bike or hit yourself at home, you will get a bruise a short time later. Even days later, this can be visible and hurt – but in most cases the bruising is not bad.
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How is a bruise formed?
A bruise (hematoma) is a bruise under the skin. For example, if you bump yourself, small vessels under the skin can rupture, allowing blood to leak into surrounding tissues. When the blood clots, the tear closes and becomes visible as a discoloration of the skin. Hematomas can be caused by bruises, strains, but also by strong negative pressure. When the leaked blood presses against the skin and surrounding nerves, swelling occurs. As the blood is broken down, the color of the hematoma changes – from dark red, blue, green, yellow to a brownish tone.
Bruises: when they are dangerous
Although the dark spots are usually harmless bruises, they can rarely be a sign of health problems. You can tell from the following characteristics that bruises could be dangerous.
- Frequent bruising with no apparent cause
Particularly clumsy people can expect to bruise more often than others. However, if you suddenly notice significantly more dark spots than usual, for which you do not know the cause, you should consult a doctor. If the blood becomes thinner, which can happen, for example, when taking certain medications, this can be noticed by more frequent bruising. In the worst case, the reasons can also be a blood clotting disorder or blood cancer (leukaemia). - Hematoma in the head area, on a joint or near an organ
If the bruise is on the wrong part of the body, it can be just as dangerous. In the case of hematomas in joints such as knees or elbows, it is possible for blood to get between the bones and capsules, causing pain and restricted movement there. In the long term, this can even deform the joint. Spots in the head area should always be consulted with a doctor as a precaution, as the brain is sensitive to impact and you could get a concussion can have. There is also a risk of cerebral hemorrhage. The same applies to bruises near organs, which can also be injured unnoticed. Bleeding can occur, especially in the abdomen, which often goes unnoticed for a long time. - Discoloration in the calf
area If the discoloration is in the calf area, has a reddish-blue color and the area in question swells and becomes warm, it may be a thrombosis , ie a blockage of a blood vessel. Since the thrombosis can also migrate to other areas of the body and cause a pulmonary embolism, for example, you should call an emergency doctor in case of doubt.
When does a bruise need medical treatment?
In acute cases, the affected part of the body can be independently cooled and elevated after a fall or injury. The fact that the vessels contract when it is cold can prevent the discoloration from spreading and reduce swelling. If other symptoms such as circulatory problems, restricted freedom of movement, fever or nausea occur in addition to the hematoma, you should also consult a doctor.
