What is Hematoma?

A hematoma is a more serious injury that occurs when blood leaks out of blood vessels and accumulates in an area outside of them. Hematomas can happen anywhere in the body and can be caused by a variety of factors such as trauma, medical conditions, or medications. 

Characteristics of Hematoma

• Collection of blood outside of blood vessels
• Can occur in any part of the body
• Can be caused by trauma, such as a fall, a car accident, surgery, or injury from medical procedures.
• Can also occur as a result of certain medical conditions or medications that affect blood clotting

Features of Hematoma

• Hematomas can be classified into two types: subcutaneous and deep tissue
• Subcutaneous hematomas appear as a swelling or lump under the skin and can range in color from red to purple to black
• Deep tissue hematomas occur within the muscle or other internal organs and can cause serious damage to the surrounding tissue if not treated promptly
• Hematomas can lead to pain, swelling, and tenderness and can cause muscle or nerve damage or even death if not treated promptly.

More Information on Hematoma

• Recovery time for hematomas depends on the size and location of the hematoma and can take several weeks or even months
• Hematomas may require surgical drainage and/or blood transfusion
• Hematomas can be prevented by taking precautions to avoid trauma and managing medical conditions that affect blood clotting
• It’s important to seek medical attention if experiencing severe symptoms such as difficulty breathing, loss of consciousness, or severe pain.

Important Terms

• Trauma: Physical damage or injury to the body caused by an external force, such as a fall or a car accident.
• Medical conditions: Health issues that affect the body, such as bleeding disorders or the use of blood-thinning medications.
• Over-the-counter pain medication: Medications that can be purchased without a prescription and used to relieve pain and swelling, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
• Subcutaneous Hematoma: A hematoma that appears as a swelling or lump under the skin.
• Deep Tissue Hematoma: A hematoma that occurs within a muscle or other internal organs.

Difference Between Contusion and Hematoma: Contusions and Hematomas are both injuries that affect the skin and tissues of the body, but they are distinct in their causes, symptoms, and treatment methods. A contusion is a bruise caused by blunt force to tissue without breaking the skin, while a hematoma is a localized collection of blood outside the blood vessels.

Both types of injuries can be caused by trauma, medical conditions or medications, and can lead to pain, swelling, and tenderness in the affected area. In this article, we will compare and learn the difference between contusions and hematomas.