Difference Between a Bruise and a Hematoma

While they can look similar, bruises and hematomas are not the same. A bruise is the result of small blood vessels breaking and bleeding under the skin. A hematoma is the result of blood pooling outside a blood vessel.Hematomas and bruises can have some of the same causes, though injuries that result in hematomas are often much more serious.

This article discusses the symptoms of bruises and hematomas, some common causes of each, and when to contact a doctor or seek emergency medical care.

A hematoma is a pool of blood trapped outside a blood vessel. It is due to bleeding from a vascular structure, including vital organs.

Hematomas can occur in many places, even deep within the body. When it happens near the skin, you will see discoloration like a bruise.

A bruise, or a contusion, is a bleed into the skin that occurs when small blood vessels break. If there is no break in the skin, the blood stays inside, leading to discoloration. Bruising can involve muscles and bones as well.

Two other types of bleeding under the skin are petechiae and purpura. Petechiae causes small pinpoint spots smaller than 2 millimeters (mm), and purpura are larger than 2 mm.

A large bruise is called ecchymosis, and these are larger than 1 centimeter.

Bruises and some hematomas can look similar, but there are many possible symptoms of a hematoma, depending on the location.

A person can see a hematoma when it affects the skin. The symptoms of a hematoma are more severe than those of a bruise.

Symptoms may appear immediately after the injury, or they may take several days to show up.

Hematoma signs and symptoms include:

• pain
• tenderness
• skin discoloration
• swelling

If a lump appears, it is usually firm to touch.

Symptoms of a serious and life threatening hematoma, such as one that affects the brain, may include:

• headache
• vomiting
• dizziness
• confusion
• unequal pupil size
• slurred speech
• seizures

Get immediate medical attention for these symptoms.
Other hematomas may present different symptoms, including abdominal pain.

Bruises show up soon after the injury takes place.

Signs and symptoms of bruises include:

• skin discoloration, usually dark blue, purple, or black
• tenderness
• minor swelling

As the body breaks down the blood, the bruise color changes from bluish-purple to green to brownish-yellow before completely fading away. This usually takes about 2 weeks.

You will see the same colors for a hematoma near the skin, but these may take longer to fade away completely. A hematoma does not turn into a bruise.

While a bruise is not a hematoma, the two can result from similar things.

The location defines the type of hematoma, such as an abdominal hematoma, which one 2021 article describes.

Some hematomas are medical emergencies. These include intracranial, or subdural, hematomas, which develop due to blood collecting in the space between the skull and the brain.

Other hematoma causes include:

• trauma, such as from a fall
• vaginal delivery
• surgery
• ruptured aneurysm
• spontaneous bleeding

People who are more likely to develop a hematoma from spontaneous bleeding include those who:

• are older
• take blood thinners
• have a bleeding disorder, such as hemophilia

Bruises usually result from accidental injuries, such as bumps and falls.

As with hematomas, people who are more likely to bruise spontaneously, or for no apparent reason, include those who:

• are older
• have a bleeding disorder
• have a vitamin C deficiency
• take blood thinners

Older people, who have thinner skin, may have more noticeable bruises after minor bumps or accidents.

If you develop symptoms of a hematoma after an injury or surgical procedure, contact a healthcare professional promptly.

Your doctor may request medical imaging tests, such as a CT scan or an MRI scan. You may also need treatment to drain the blood or repair the source of any active bleeding.

Some hematomas are life threatening. Hematomas that appear after any type of trauma can develop internally and damage organs, including the brain.

Seek medical attention or call 911 for symptoms of a subdural hematoma, including:

• headache
• vomiting
• dizziness
• confusion
• slurred speech
• paralysis
• loss of consciousness
• seizures

Bruises are harmless in most cases. Depending on the type of injury you sustained, you may want to contact a doctor or nurse to evaluate a bruise.

A telehealth appointment may be sufficient for an initial evaluation. Your doctor will tell you if you need to follow up with an in-person appointment. An X-ray can determine if there is a fracture.

Contact a doctor if:

• The bruise does not go away within 2 weeks.
• You have a pattern of bruising, such as large or frequent bruises or petechiae.
• The bruise is very swollen, painful, or increasing in size.
• You cannot move the bruised area.
• The bruise is affecting your eye or vision.

Also, contact a medical professional for symptoms of infection, such as fever, increased swelling, or pain.

You can treat most bruises and some types of hematoma at home. Ice packs and over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) can help ease any pain.

However, avoid ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and aspirin. These and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs inhibit blood clotting and make bleeding more likely.

For both bruises and hematomas, it is best to rest and avoid strenuous activity until the swelling subsides.

Bruises are often minor and do not typically require professional medical care.

You can treat a bruise by applying a cold compress for 15 minutes every hour. Do not put ice directly on your skin. Instead,

wrap ice or a bag of frozen peas in a towel. Also, elevate the bruised area as much as possible.

After 48 hours or when the swelling subsides, apply moderate heat to the area a few times per day. This helps the body reabsorb the blood.

In people not taking blood thinners, the body’s natural blood clotting ability will stop the bleeding, and the body will reabsorb it with time.

For mild hematomas, treatment can begin at home with the same care options as for bruises.

Medical care for large hematomas, internal hematomas, and spontaneous bleeding may include surgically draining the blood, repairing internal damage, and treating symptoms.

Both bruises and hematomas result from bleeding and can be due to injuries, bleeding disorders, and other conditions.

A bruise involves small blood vessels of skin, muscle, or bone. A hematoma is a buildup of blood that can occur near the skin, such as at a surgical incision, but it can also occur within the skull or deep within the body.

A hematoma is worse than a bruise. In fact, some hematomas are life threatening.

First aid for a bruise or a mild, visible hematoma includes icing the area, elevating the body part, resting, and taking acetaminophen.

Contact a medical professional for a bruise or a hematoma after an impact or in the case of neurological symptoms, severe pain, or an increase in swelling.