Understanding Bruises and Hematomas

When the soft tissues of the body experience mild trauma, small veins and capillaries under the skin can break, causing red blood cells to leak. This pooling of blood beneath the skin results in discoloration—commonly black, blue, purple, brown, or yellow. Unlike cuts, bruises generally do not involve external bleeding. The size and severity of a bruise depend on the force of the injury.

What Do the Different Colors of a Bruise Mean?

The color of a bruise reflects its age and the natural healing process as the body breaks down red blood cells:

• Red: Fresh, oxygen-rich blood pools under the skin immediately after injury.
• Blue, purple, or black: After 1–2 days, the blood loses oxygen and changes color depending on size, location, and severity.
• Yellow or green: Between 5–10 days, the bruise turns yellow or green due to biliverdin and bilirubin produced while breaking down hemoglobin.
• Yellowish-brown or light brown: Around 10–14 days, the bruise enters its final healing stage.

Bruise vs. Hematoma

Bruises (contusions) are typically surface injuries. Hematomas, on the other hand, are larger, deeper, and develop more quickly. They may cause significant swelling and discomfort.

Hematomas in the head, face, or abdomen can be serious:

• Head: Intracranial hematomas may cause headache, nausea, vomiting, slurred speech, or confusion.
• Face: Septal hematomas can cause swelling, bruising, nosebleeds, or clear fluid drainage.
• Abdomen: May lead to swelling, tenderness, or pain, even if symptoms are not immediately noticeable.

When to Seek Medical Attention for a Bruise

Most bruises heal on their own. However, if you suffer a more significant trauma or injury and have bruising that does not heal and disappear after 2 weeks, then it’s time to get medical attention.

• Frequent, very large, or painful bruises
• Numbness or weakness in the injured area
• Swelling or heat around the bruise (especially on your leg)
• Loss of function in the affected limb, joint, or muscle
• Increasing size or density of the bruise
• Lumps under the bruise
• Pain lasting longer than 2–3 days
• Bruising that persists for more than 2 weeks
• Suspected broken bones
• Trauma to the head or neck
• Vision changes
• Unexplained or random bruising, especially in the abdomen, head, or trunk

Easy bruising or frequent unexplained bruising may signal an underlying medical issue that should be evaluated by a healthcare provider.

We’re Here to Help

While most bruises are minor, serious or unexplained bruising deserves prompt medical attention. ConvenientMD providers can evaluate injuries, rule out complications, and recommend appropriate treatment.

Stop into any ConvenientMD Urgent Care location in Maine, New Hampshire, or Massachusetts for fast, walk-in care—no appointment needed.