What is a hematoma? A hematoma is a closed wound where blood collects and fills a space inside your body because it can’t flow or drain out. And if blood fills a space, it can start pushing surrounding tissues outward.

Understanding the Context

Minor hematomas are common, and you can have them almost anywhere in your body. A hematoma is a collection of blood outside of a blood vessel. Learn about causes, symptoms, and treatment as well as when emergency treatment is necessary. A hematoma is similar to a bruise, but the damage that causes it occurs in larger blood vessels.

Key Insights

It can lead to swelling, discoloration, and warmth, and may require medical treatment. A hematoma occurs when blood leaks from ruptured vessels, creating a pocket or pool. Depending on location and cause, a hematoma can range from a simple bruise to a critical condition requiring emergency care. A hematoma is an abnormal collection of blood outside of a blood vessel. It occurs when the wall of a blood vessel, artery, vein or capillary gets damaged and blood leaks into tissues where it does not belong.

Final Thoughts

Hematoma is a very common problem encountered by many people at some time in their lives. Hematomas can be seen under the skin or nails as purplish bruises of different sizes. Skin bruises can also be called contusions. Hematomas can also happen deep inside the body where they may not be visible. Learn when a hematoma requires drainage. Understand symptoms such as swelling, pain, and pressure, along with the types, risks, and treatment options.

A hematoma, also spelled haematoma, or blood suffusion is a localized bleeding outside of blood vessels, due to either disease or trauma including injury or surgery [1] and may involve blood continuing to seep from broken capillaries.