Hematoma

Synonyms

Bruise, bruise

General

A bruise (Hematoma) denotes the often visible collection of blood in the subcutaneous tissue (Subcutis) or deeper lying skin tissue, more rarely in a pre-existing body cavity. In general, a hematoma is a symptom that indicates injury or violence. However, in rare cases, it can also be due to a more serious underlying condition. Depending on the extent, a hematoma either requires no therapy, in-house care or hospital treatment.

The dead spots must be clearly separated from the hematoma, some of which look similar and are also caused by blood in the tissue, but unlike the hematoma only occur on cadavers.

Generally a hematoma is one common symptom, since even minor injuries in everyday life can trigger such in otherwise healthy people. However, they are particularly common among those who learn to walk Toddlers and unsteady elderly expected.

Read on here: How do you treat a bruise?

causes

Most often, hematomas occur as a direct result of vascular injury from violence. Whether this was done by someone else with malicious intent, through an accident or as part of a medical intervention (surgery) is made, is initially secondary. The bruise caused by a sports injury is also known as a horse kiss.

If you have a disease that affects blood clotting (Hemostasis) influences, such as the hereditary (hereditaryHaemophilia disease or blood cancer (leukemia), can occur after a minor trauma or even without an accident (trauma) a bruise (Hematoma) arise.

Depending on its location, size and shape, a hematoma may be able to draw conclusions about the type of injury, such as a specific fracture (fracture) of a bone or, in forensic medicine, the type of weapon used.

Another factor that promotes the development of hematomas, which should not be neglected, is the use of anticoagulant medication (such as Apixaban or Marcumar).

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Symptoms

The main symptom of a hematoma is the Discoloration through the blood that has leaked into the tissue, more precisely through the blood in the red blood cells (Erythrocytes) occurring blood pigments (hemoglobin). In the course of time, both the color and the color intensity of the hematoma change from intensive to primarily due to the body's own degradation steps Red Blue over greenish to pale yellowish.

Depending on the location, the size of the hematoma and the individual metabolic rate, this change of color takes a few days to several weeks. The color design of an existing hematoma therefore only allows very limited conclusions to be drawn about the time at which it occurred.

In addition to the color change, there is also a Swelling of the region expected. Depending on the extent of the hematoma, a feeling of tension and pain (especially from touching or pressure on the affected area) may occur.

Complications of a hematoma are to be expected above all if the swelling caused by the hematoma exerts pressure surrounding structures exerts, which then, for example, in the case of a spatial confinement to an indentation (compression) of the surrounding structures, such as the Brain at a Cerebral hemorrhage or the vessels and nerves in a so-called Compartment syndrome can lead.

If there is a hematoma in Joints, especially im Knee joint, hip joint or that Ankle joint, occurs, the emergence of a premature Joint wear (arthrosis) are favored.

If the hematoma is particularly severe and large in relation to the amount of blood that has leaked, a short-term potential is also due to the correspondingly high blood loss life-threatening shock possible. Medium term is due to the lack of oxygen transporting red blood cells (Erythrocytes) a Anemia (anemia) to be expected, which among other things Fatigue, paleness, weakness, tiredness, dizziness and a headache can express.

Undiscovered larger hematomas are especially possible with internal bleeding in the hip, stomach or chest area.

therapy

A simple bruise (Hematoma) in an otherwise healthy person usually needs no therapy. With subjective discomfort, a small hematoma can be made more discreet with simple home remedies such as cooling and Elevation of the affected area are treated.

A doctor's visit is advisable above all if the hematoma is one greater extent there is no plausible explanation for its occurrence, or it has still not disappeared after several weeks. The attending physician may then conclude one more serious injury like one Broken bone (fracture) or the occurrence of complications, or if the cause of the bleeding is unknown, it investigates the cause.

For larger hematomas, a topically applied ointment may be included anticoagulant Active additives are used to make the blood that has clotted to a greater extent more accessible to the body for faster breakdown.

In the event that complications arise, these must of course be treated separately.

forecast

The prognosis for a hematoma is generally very good. However, if complications arise, or if the hematoma is just a sign of another disease, the prognosis of the person affected will of course depend on the complication in question or the underlying disease.

Usually, however, in an otherwise healthy patient, complete healing of the hematoma can be expected within a few days to weeks.

prophylaxis

Primarily, of course, hematomas are to be avoided by avoiding the accidents or injuries that cause them. Especially at limited coagulability of the blood due to a previous illness or a anticoagulant medication is also to pay attention to an increased attention in everyday life, as with restricted mobility or Coordination skills.

Once an injury has occurred, for example in the context of a shock, fall or entrapment, the extent of the hematoma to be expected can be contained by rapid cooling of the affected area, since the removal of heat in the cooled region leads to a narrowing of the vessels located there leads.