Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypesSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention
Ahematomais an abnormal pooling of blood in the body under the skin that results from a broken or ruptured blood vessel. Pain and swelling are common symptoms of hematomas. A minor injury can cause skin color changes like a mild bruise, but hematomas can be far more serious.
Hematomas can be life-threatening depending on how they were caused and what part of your body is affected. For example, clotted blood linked to a head injury is serious and requires immediate medical attention, as does a rapidly swelling hematoma that cuts off circulation to a limb.
This article will go over what causes hematomas, and treatments that can range from basic first aid to emergency surgery. It also discusses ways to prevent hematoma injuries.
Types of Hematoma
Hematoma types depend on the specific parts of the body where they form.
Which Hematomas Are The Most Serious?
A hematoma in the head is generally considered more serious than a hematoma in other parts of the body because it’s usually associated with traumatic brain injury.
The types of intracranial hematomas are:
Subdural hematomas can be acute or chronic:
Chronic hematomas are less likely than acute hematomas to cause a rapid increase of pressure in the skull. By the time symptoms are noticed, chronic subdural hematoma has often gotten very big.
Intracranial hematomas can grow slowly or quickly, but no matter how fast they grow, they can put pressure on the brain, which can lead to coma and even death if the injury is not treated.
Is It a Bruise or a Hematoma?
Hematoma Symptoms
Hematomas near the skin cause a large patch of skin discoloration (typically dark red or black and blue) that happens because there is damage to thesoft tissue.
Hematomas also can cause symptoms like
Signs of Intracranial Hematomas
Signs of more serious intracranial hematomas include:
Most intracranial hematomas come on fast after an injury and cause symptoms within minutes. However, they can also appear hours, days, or even weeks later.
Intracranial hematomas often happen with a serious head injury, but can also happen with minor head injuries in people who have problems with blood clotting or weakened blood vessels from age and/or excessive alcohol use.
Head injuries that happen in sports should always be treated right away because of the risk oftraumatic brain injury. Any loss of consciousness—even if it does not last long—needs follow-up with a healthcare provider.
Some health conditions can make you more vulnerable to developing a hematoma, including blood disorders likehemophiliaandVon Willebranddisease(VWD). This can occur with acquired hemophilia as well.Age also contributes to risk of an intracranial hematoma with head trauma.
There are medications, supplements, and treatments that also can increase the risk for a hematoma. For example, medications that are used to thin the blood (anticoagulants) to help prevent blood clots (like warfarin) make it easier for you to bleed.
Aspirin is also a common medication that can make bleeding more likely.There are also other kinds of medications that can make you more likely to easily bleed or bruise, including some antidepressants, steroids, and some drugs used to treat cancer.
There are also some herbs and natural supplements that might make you bruise or bleed more easily, like garlic and ginko. The effects of these herbs can be greater if you also take medications that thin your blood (like aspirin).
Hematomas near major organs, especially intracranial hematomas, need to be diagnosed with imaging technology. Head hematomas usually are diagnosed withcomputed tomography (CT) scanormagnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
These scans help providers see the source of the bleeding and the severity of the injury. They can help determine what treatment is necessary, and, in some cases, needed to save a person’s life.
Treating a simple, mild, hematoma is similar to treating other soft tissue injuries. Using theR.I.C.E method(rest, ice, compression, elevation) is recommended. Apply ice to the area for 15 minutes, several times per day.
Hematoma pain and swelling can be treated with over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications.Aspirin should not be usedif you have a hematoma because the drug can make you bleed more easily.
Treatment for more serious hematomas will depend on the size of the hematoma, whether there is still bleeding, and other problems the hematoma might be causing or could cause. Treatment can vary from first aid to major surgery.
Intracranial hematomas may have to be treated with surgery to allow blood to drain and decrease pressure in the brain. This can include drilling a small hole in the skull or performing a craniotomy to make a larger opening.
How to Recognize and Treat a Head Injury
Prognosis
Mild hematomas and contusions will usually heal in about five days. A large hematoma may last weeks to months and as it heals it will change color and slowly shrink.
For more serious hematomas, especially those that involve a head injury, the outlook for recovery depends on how severe the injury was and how soon it was treated.
It can take many months for people to recover from head injuries and in some cases, recovery takes years. Some kinds of brain injuries leave lasting changes that people have to learn to live with.
How to Prevent a Hematoma
The key to preventing hematomas is to make sure that you are safe when doing activities where they’re likely to happen, like sports. That could mean something as simple as wearing a helmet when you’re riding your bike or making changes in your home to help you avoid falls.
If you have a medical condition or take a medication that affects blood clotting, check with your healthcare provider. Talk with them about your risk for hematomas and other bleeding problems and steps you should take if you get hurt.
Summary
Hematomas can range from harmless to life-threatening, depending on what caused them and what part of the body they affect.
People who are most at risk for hematomas, like older adults, people with bleeding disorders, or people taking blood-thinning medications, need to take preventive steps to avoid these injuries.
Head injuries that cause hematomas can be very serious, which is why you should always wear a helmet when doing sports or other activities that put your head at risk.
15 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Shikhman A, Tuma F.Abdominal Hematoma. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing.Krogmann RJ, King KC.Auricular Hematoma. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing.Gupta G, Mahajan K.Nasal Septal Hematoma. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing.American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Subungual hematoma.Wilberger, JE, Mao, G.Intracranial hematomas.Merck Manual Consumer Version. Kenilworth, NJ: Merck & Co., Inc.U.S. National Library of Medicine. MedlinePlus.Epidural hematoma.U.S. National Library of Medicine. MedlinePlus.Subdural hematoma.Tiede A, Collins P, Knoebl P, Teitel J, Kessler C, Shima M,et al.International recommendations on the diagnosis and treatment of acquired hemophilia A.Haematologica. 2020 Jul;105(7):1791-1801. doi:10.3324/haematol.2019.230771.MedlinePlus.Blood thinners.American Family Physician.Drug-induced bleeding.Abebe W.Review of herbal medications with the potential to cause bleeding: dental implications, and risk prediction and prevention avenues.EPMA J. 2019;10(1):51-64. Published 2019 Jan 8. doi:10.1007/s13167-018-0158-2Kim NY, Kim JY, Pyen JS, Whan K, Cho SM, Choi JW.Treatment of Pseudoaneurysm of Internal Maxillary Artery Resulting from Needle Injury.Korean J Neurotrauma. 2019 Oct 18;15(2):176-181. doi:10.13004/kjnt.2019.15.e33.Tatano M, Hayashi S, Yunoki M, Umakoshi M, Hirashita K, Yoshino K.A Case of Pseudoaneurysm of the Superficial Temporal Artery Causing a Massive Subcutaneous Hematoma after Craniotomy.Asian J Neurosurg. 2022 Dec 15;17(4):672-675. doi:10.1055/s-0042-1757222.Cowell N, Kalnow A.Upper Extremity Hematoma: An Atypical Case of Compartment Syndrome.Cureus. 2021 Jan 3;13(1):e12453. doi:10.7759/cureus.12453.Mount Sinai.Subdural hematoma.Additional ReadingMercyHealth.Bruise or hematoma.
15 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Shikhman A, Tuma F.Abdominal Hematoma. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing.Krogmann RJ, King KC.Auricular Hematoma. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing.Gupta G, Mahajan K.Nasal Septal Hematoma. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing.American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Subungual hematoma.Wilberger, JE, Mao, G.Intracranial hematomas.Merck Manual Consumer Version. Kenilworth, NJ: Merck & Co., Inc.U.S. National Library of Medicine. MedlinePlus.Epidural hematoma.U.S. National Library of Medicine. MedlinePlus.Subdural hematoma.Tiede A, Collins P, Knoebl P, Teitel J, Kessler C, Shima M,et al.International recommendations on the diagnosis and treatment of acquired hemophilia A.Haematologica. 2020 Jul;105(7):1791-1801. doi:10.3324/haematol.2019.230771.MedlinePlus.Blood thinners.American Family Physician.Drug-induced bleeding.Abebe W.Review of herbal medications with the potential to cause bleeding: dental implications, and risk prediction and prevention avenues.EPMA J. 2019;10(1):51-64. Published 2019 Jan 8. doi:10.1007/s13167-018-0158-2Kim NY, Kim JY, Pyen JS, Whan K, Cho SM, Choi JW.Treatment of Pseudoaneurysm of Internal Maxillary Artery Resulting from Needle Injury.Korean J Neurotrauma. 2019 Oct 18;15(2):176-181. doi:10.13004/kjnt.2019.15.e33.Tatano M, Hayashi S, Yunoki M, Umakoshi M, Hirashita K, Yoshino K.A Case of Pseudoaneurysm of the Superficial Temporal Artery Causing a Massive Subcutaneous Hematoma after Craniotomy.Asian J Neurosurg. 2022 Dec 15;17(4):672-675. doi:10.1055/s-0042-1757222.Cowell N, Kalnow A.Upper Extremity Hematoma: An Atypical Case of Compartment Syndrome.Cureus. 2021 Jan 3;13(1):e12453. doi:10.7759/cureus.12453.Mount Sinai.Subdural hematoma.Additional ReadingMercyHealth.Bruise or hematoma.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Shikhman A, Tuma F.Abdominal Hematoma. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing.Krogmann RJ, King KC.Auricular Hematoma. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing.Gupta G, Mahajan K.Nasal Septal Hematoma. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing.American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Subungual hematoma.Wilberger, JE, Mao, G.Intracranial hematomas.Merck Manual Consumer Version. Kenilworth, NJ: Merck & Co., Inc.U.S. National Library of Medicine. MedlinePlus.Epidural hematoma.U.S. National Library of Medicine. MedlinePlus.Subdural hematoma.Tiede A, Collins P, Knoebl P, Teitel J, Kessler C, Shima M,et al.International recommendations on the diagnosis and treatment of acquired hemophilia A.Haematologica. 2020 Jul;105(7):1791-1801. doi:10.3324/haematol.2019.230771.MedlinePlus.Blood thinners.American Family Physician.Drug-induced bleeding.Abebe W.Review of herbal medications with the potential to cause bleeding: dental implications, and risk prediction and prevention avenues.EPMA J. 2019;10(1):51-64. Published 2019 Jan 8. doi:10.1007/s13167-018-0158-2Kim NY, Kim JY, Pyen JS, Whan K, Cho SM, Choi JW.Treatment of Pseudoaneurysm of Internal Maxillary Artery Resulting from Needle Injury.Korean J Neurotrauma. 2019 Oct 18;15(2):176-181. doi:10.13004/kjnt.2019.15.e33.Tatano M, Hayashi S, Yunoki M, Umakoshi M, Hirashita K, Yoshino K.A Case of Pseudoaneurysm of the Superficial Temporal Artery Causing a Massive Subcutaneous Hematoma after Craniotomy.Asian J Neurosurg. 2022 Dec 15;17(4):672-675. doi:10.1055/s-0042-1757222.Cowell N, Kalnow A.Upper Extremity Hematoma: An Atypical Case of Compartment Syndrome.Cureus. 2021 Jan 3;13(1):e12453. doi:10.7759/cureus.12453.Mount Sinai.Subdural hematoma.
Shikhman A, Tuma F.Abdominal Hematoma. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing.
Krogmann RJ, King KC.Auricular Hematoma. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing.
Gupta G, Mahajan K.Nasal Septal Hematoma. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing.
American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Subungual hematoma.
Wilberger, JE, Mao, G.Intracranial hematomas.Merck Manual Consumer Version. Kenilworth, NJ: Merck & Co., Inc.
U.S. National Library of Medicine. MedlinePlus.Epidural hematoma.
U.S. National Library of Medicine. MedlinePlus.Subdural hematoma.
Tiede A, Collins P, Knoebl P, Teitel J, Kessler C, Shima M,et al.International recommendations on the diagnosis and treatment of acquired hemophilia A.Haematologica. 2020 Jul;105(7):1791-1801. doi:10.3324/haematol.2019.230771.
MedlinePlus.Blood thinners.
American Family Physician.Drug-induced bleeding.
Abebe W.Review of herbal medications with the potential to cause bleeding: dental implications, and risk prediction and prevention avenues.EPMA J. 2019;10(1):51-64. Published 2019 Jan 8. doi:10.1007/s13167-018-0158-2
Kim NY, Kim JY, Pyen JS, Whan K, Cho SM, Choi JW.Treatment of Pseudoaneurysm of Internal Maxillary Artery Resulting from Needle Injury.Korean J Neurotrauma. 2019 Oct 18;15(2):176-181. doi:10.13004/kjnt.2019.15.e33.
Tatano M, Hayashi S, Yunoki M, Umakoshi M, Hirashita K, Yoshino K.A Case of Pseudoaneurysm of the Superficial Temporal Artery Causing a Massive Subcutaneous Hematoma after Craniotomy.Asian J Neurosurg. 2022 Dec 15;17(4):672-675. doi:10.1055/s-0042-1757222.
Cowell N, Kalnow A.Upper Extremity Hematoma: An Atypical Case of Compartment Syndrome.Cureus. 2021 Jan 3;13(1):e12453. doi:10.7759/cureus.12453.
Mount Sinai.Subdural hematoma.
MercyHealth.Bruise or hematoma.
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