How do you know when a bruise is serious?

Swelling around the bruised skin. Loss of function in the affected area (joint, limb or muscle) Increased size or density. Lump under the bruise.

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At what point should I go to the doctor for a bruise?

Call your doctor or nurse advice line now or seek immediate medical care if: You have signs of infection, such as: Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness. Red streaks leading from the bruise.

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How do you know if a bruise is too bad?

A bruise can need medical care if: You think a sprain or broken bone may have caused it. It keeps getting bigger after the first day. It makes your arm or leg swollen or tight.

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What are the color stages of a bad bruise?

Within 1–2 days, the hemoglobin (an iron-containing substance that carries oxygen) in the blood changes and the bruise turns bluish-purple or even black. After 5–10 days, the bruise looks green or yellow. Then, after 10–14 days, it turns yellow-brown or light brown.

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How do you tell if a bruise is a hematoma?

A hematoma is a bad bruise. It happens when an injury causes blood to collect and pool under the skin. The pooling blood gives the skin a spongy, rubbery, lumpy feel. A hematoma usually is not a cause for concern.

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How to tell if a bone is fractured or bruised

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What kind of bruises should I worry about?

Increased size or density. Lump under the bruise. Pain that lasts longer than 2-3 days. Persistent bruising for more than 2 weeks.

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What does a blood clot bruise look like?

Redness on your skin

While it's true that a bruise is a type of blood clot, it's not the kind you have to worry about. You can't see a DVT. You might see some bruise-like discoloration, but you're more likely to see red. A DVT causes redness in the affected limb and makes your arm or leg feel warm to the touch.

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What does a concerning bruise look like?

Increased size or density. Lump under the bruise. Pain that lasts longer than 2-3 days. Persistent bruising for more than 2 weeks.

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What color is blood clot bruise?

As a result, people may confuse the symptoms of bruises with those of hematomas or certain types of blood clots. Bruises may appear red at the point of trauma before turning blue, black, or purple. As bruises heal, they will typically progress to a yellow or green color before turning brown as they begin to fade.

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Can a bruise cause a blood clot?

Can't bad bruises cause blood clots? The bruise itself won't cause a blood clot. In very rare circumstances, the hit that caused the bruise can. If a deep-seated vein is damaged during the collision, it could lead to a deep-vein clot.

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How do you tell if bruise is getting better or worse?

After around 1–2 days, the blood begins to lose oxygen and change color. A bruise that is a few days old will often appear blue, purple, or even black. In about 5–10 days, it turns a yellow or green color.

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What do deep purple bruises mean?

It could be ecchymosis. That's the medical term for a type of bruise. This dark purple spot forms on your skin when blood leaks out of your blood vessels into the top layer of your skin. It's usually from an injury, and it's 1/2 inch long or bigger.

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How do you treat a deep bruise?

How are bruises (ecchymosis) treated?
  1. Resting and elevating the injured area to prevent swelling and to relieve pain.
  2. Applying ice packs for the first 24 to 48 hours after injury. ...
  3. Applying a heating pad or warm compress to the injured area after two days. ...
  4. Taking over-the-counter pain medication, such as acetaminophen.

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How long does it take for a deep tissue bruise to heal?

Moderate-to-severe contusions take an average of 4-6 weeks to heal. Minor contusions take considerably less time. If your child puts too much stress on the injured area before it is healed, excessive scar tissue may develop.

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Why is my bruise spreading?

What actually happens is that once the bruise occurs, it causes the injury at the specific site and the site then swells. After a period of time, that swelling dissipates with the body's help. When this occurs, instead of being confined to one area, it will spread out, so to speak.

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What does bleeding under the skin look like?

Bleeding into the skin happens when small blood vessels burst just below your skin's surface. These broken blood vessels may look like small red dots. Or they may be larger purple, blue or black patches. Usually, bleeding into the skin is minor and heals in about two weeks.

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What are the first signs of a blood clot?

throbbing or cramping pain, swelling, redness and warmth in a leg or arm. sudden breathlessness, sharp chest pain (may be worse when you breathe in) and a cough or coughing up blood.

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What are the 10 signs of a blood clot in your leg?

Get medical help right away if you notice any of these symptoms:
  • Swelling. This can happen in the exact spot where the blood clot forms, or your entire leg or arm could puff up.
  • Change in color. ...
  • Pain. ...
  • Warm skin. ...
  • Trouble breathing. ...
  • Lower leg cramp. ...
  • Pitting edema. ...
  • Swollen, painful veins.

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What does a hematoma look like?

With a hematoma, the leaking blood will pool and clot, or form clumps of blood. This can cause a hard and tender mass. When it is closer to the surface of the skin, a hematoma may look like a painful red, black, or blue lump. As it breaks down, the skin will eventually change to a yellow or brown color.

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What happens if a hematoma is left untreated?

Any bruise or other hematoma of the skin that increases in size over time could also present a danger. If a clot from a hematoma reenters the bloodstream, it can block an artery, cutting off blood flow to part of the body. Without prompt treatment, this can result in permanent tissue damage.

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Can a bad bruise turn into something worse?

A severe bruise can lead to painful swelling known as compartment syndrome. You may need surgery to relieve pressure on the muscles, blood vessels, and nerves. Myositis Ossificans. Sometimes when an athlete has a deep muscle bruise, the body heals incorrectly.

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What's the longest a bruise should last?

It can take months for a bruise to fade, but most last about two weeks. They start off a reddish color, and then turn bluish-purple and greenish-yellow before returning to normal. To reduce bruising, ice the injured area and elevate it above your heart.

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Do bruises look worse the next day?

Bruised areas can swell and get worse in the first few days. After that, all symptoms should gradually diminish. If you have severe or increasing pain and swelling, fever, call your doctor for advice (and treatment if needed).

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How long after a bruise can a blood clot form?

When a blood vessel is damaged due to broken bones, blunt force trauma, severe bruises or significant muscle injuries, the blood around the vessel can become sticky and form a clot. These clots do not necessarily show up immediately, but may occur several days or weeks later.

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