Bruises: when are they dangerous?

Everyone has bruises - some more, some less. Although hematomas can be painful, in most cases they are not a cause for concern. However, rarely it can be caused by a serious illness or may require treatment. You can tell when the bruising is serious.

If you fall off your bike or hit yourself at home, you will get a bruise soon afterward. Even days later, this can be visible and hurt - but in most cases the bruising isn't bad.

How does a bruise form?

A contusion (hematoma) is a bruise under the skin. For example, if you injure yourself, small vessels under the skin can rupture, allowing blood to leak into the surrounding tissue. As the blood clots, the tear closes and becomes visible as a discoloration of the skin. Hematomas can be caused by bruising and stress, but also by strong negative pressure. When leaking blood puts pressure on the skin and surrounding nerves, swelling occurs. When the blood is broken down, the hematoma changes color - from dark red, blue, green and yellow to a shade of brown.

Bruising: when serious

Although dark spots are usually harmless bruises, they are rarely a sign of health problems. You can tell from the following characteristics that bruising can be serious.

Frequent bruising for no apparent reason

Particularly clumsy people can expect to bruise more than others. However, if you suddenly notice darker spots than usual, the cause of which you do not know, you should consult a doctor. If the blood becomes thinner, which can happen, for example, when taking certain medications, this can be observed by the occurrence of frequent bruising. In the worst cases, the causes can also be a blood clotting disorder or blood cancer (leukemia).

Hematoma in the head, in a joint, or near an organ

If the bruise is on the wrong part of the body, it can be just as serious. If a hematoma is present in joints such as the knees or elbows, it is possible for blood to circulate between the bones and the capsules, causing pain and restricted movement there. In the long term, this can lead to joint distortion. Stains in the head area should always be considered as a precaution because the brain is sensitive to impact and you may sustain a concussion. There is also a risk of cerebral hemorrhage. The same applies to bruises near the organs, which can also become infected 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, it is reddish-blue and the area in question swells and becomes warm, this may be a thrombosis, that is, a blockage of a blood vessel. Because thrombosis can also spread to other areas of the body and cause a pulmonary embolism, for example, you should contact an emergency physician if in doubt.

Bruises on the skin in old age

Age can also be a cause of bruising. As we age, the protective layer of fat beneath the surface of the skin diminishes. For this reason, in elderly people, even minor trauma can cause rupture of blood vessels and the formation of a hematoma.

When does a bruise need medical treatment?

In severe cases, the affected part of the body can be cooled and elevated independently after a fall or injury. The fact that vessels constrict when it is cold can prevent the spread of discoloration and reduce swelling. If other symptoms such as circulation problems, restricted freedom of movement, fever or nausea appear in addition to the hematoma, you should also consult a doctor.