Can a hematoma be serious?
While many hematomas are relatively harmless, some can indicate a more serious medical problem. Anyone who has sustained an injury in an accident or received a blow to the head should speak to a doctor about the signs of an internal hematoma.
How do you know if a hematoma is dangerous?
That said, be sure to seek out medical attention if your bruise or hematoma is very painful, associated with serious trauma, or you have signs of an associated skin infection (e.g., pus draining, increased redness, or warmth).
Are hematomas something to worry about?
A hematoma usually is not a cause for concern. It is not the same thing as a blood clot in a vein, and it does not cause blood clots.
Is a hematoma dangerous in the leg?
It could indicate an injury that is — or complications that are — more severe than you think, especially if the bruise doesn’t improve over a week or two. See your doctor so they can examine your leg and make a treatment recommendation. If you think you’ve broken your leg, be sure to get emergency medical attention.
What are the complications of a hematoma?
Hematomas cause swelling and inflammation. Often the inflammation and swelling cause irritation of adjacent organs and tissues, and cause the symptoms and complications of a hematoma. One common complication of all hematomas is the risk of infection.
What is considered a large hematoma?
Hematomas of the skin may also be named based upon their size. Petechiae are tiny dots of blood usually less than 3 millimeters in diameter (0.12 inch) while purpura are less than 10 millimeters in diameter (0.40 inch) and ecchymosis is greater than 10 millimeters in diameter.
Can a hematoma cause a pulmonary embolism?
A hematoma forms when blood collects in a location outside of the veins or arteries. This occurs when a vessel wall is damaged, allowing the leaking of blood. The blood vessel damage also increases the risk of blood clotting inside the vein, leading to an increased chance of a pulmonary embolism.
Is severe bruising dangerous?
Bruises may be serious, and require medical care when bruising: Has not improved at all, or has gotten much worse, after a week. There could be a larger accumulation of blood, called a hematoma, under the skin. In some cases, a hematoma will need medical care or may clear up on its own.
What are the risks of a hematoma?
A common complication of all hematomas is the risk of infection. Since there is no blood supply to a hematoma—it is a collection of old blood—there is a risk of bacteria colonizing the site. If the hematoma becomes large enough, it can compress tissues and prevent oxygen from reaching surrounding tissue.
How long for hematoma to heal?
Apply ice to the area for 15 minutes, several times per day. Mild hematomas and contusions typically heal within about five days. For large hematomas, a doctor may drain it surgically to help it heal faster.
What causes hematoma on the leg?
Causes of hematoma in your leg. Although hematomas can show up elsewhere, if they appear on your leg, it’s usually due to injury such as a blow to your leg from a fall or an encounter with a blunt object.
How painful is a hematoma?
Symptoms of Hematoma within the abdominal area that is within the spleen or liver include severe and persistent abdominal pain and flank pain. In some cases even a large hematoma may not produce any symptoms and may be an incidental finding on radiological studies done for some other condition.