When you get a blood test, it's possible that you could be left with a bruise. Learn how it can happen, and what to do if it does. If your doctor orders a blood sample, your blood will be collected by either a doctor, nurse, or phlebotomist. That's someone who's specially trained to collect
blood samples. First, the person taking your blood will place a tourniquet around your arm above where your elbow sits. This helps your veins become easier to see and work with. Then they'll clean and disinfect the area on the inside of your elbow. After that, a small needle gets placed into your arm. Once the needle is in your arm, samples of your blood will be collected in small vials or
bottles. Next, they will take the needle out of your arm and apply pressure with a gauze or a cotton ball over the spot where the needle was inserted. They'll ask you to keep applying pressure until the area stops bleeding, and then they will put a clean bandage over it. Getting blood drawn is a simple process, but the most common complication associated with it is
bruising. Your doctor might call this kind of bruise is also called a hematoma. That's a swollen area filled with blood. A hematoma that you get after a blood test often looks more serious than it is. Over the following days, the blood inside the hematoma will absorb back into your body. The blood that surfaces closest to the skin is what causes its purple appearance. As the days pass, the
bruise will fade in color, turning yellow or green until it eventually disappears. To help your bruise heal properly, you can: You should seek medical attention if: What is a bruise or a hematoma?Although bruises and hematomas may present similarly, they are different conditions. A bruise, also known as a contusion, typically appears on the skin after trauma such as a blow to the body. It occurs when the small veins and capillaries under the skin break. A hematoma is a collection (or pooling) of blood outside the blood vessel. Hematomas are classified as subdural, spinal, subungual (under the finder or toenail bed) or hepatic (liver). Causes of bruise or hematomaCauses of a bruise
Causes of a hematomaTrauma is the primary cause of a hematoma. Trauma can be the result of a car accident, fall, broken bones, gunshot wound or head injury. Hematomas may also be caused by:
Risk factors for bruise or hematomaRisk factors for a bruisePeople who have any of the following factors are at higher risk for developing a bruise.
Risk factors for a hematoma
Symptoms of bruise or hematomaSymptoms of a bruise
Symptoms of a hematoma
Diagnosis of bruise or hematomaDiagnosing a bruiseMost people can self-diagnose a mild bruise after evaluating the signs or symptoms. If you have a severe bruise and suspect you may have more serious injuries, your doctor may order an x-ray of the area to ensure you do not have broken bones. If you have frequent bruising, your primary care doctor may order a blood test to check for a bleeding disorder. Diagnosing a hematomaIf the hematoma symptoms are severe or if it continues to expand over the course of a few days, you should visit your doctor right away. Emergency medicine, urgent care, primary care physicians frequently care for patients with hematomas. A primary care doctor can diagnose a soft tissue hematoma in a physical exam. If you are experiencing more serious symptoms, your doctor may order any of the following diagnostic tests:
Treatment for a bruise or a hematomaTreatment should begin as quickly as possible after injury. First-line therapy is rest, ice, compression and elevation (RICE method). If the injured area is painful, the injury can be treated with OTC medications like Tylenol or Advil. If you have a hematoma that involves other organs in the body, your treatment will be tailored to your situation. Find a primary care doctor nearbyMercy Health locations that can treat youWhat causes a hematoma after a blood draw?A bruise usually appears because small blood vessels are accidentally damaged as your healthcare provider inserts the needle. A bruise might also form if there wasn't enough pressure applied after the needle is removed. Bruising after a blood draw is typically harmless and doesn't require treatment.
Can you get a hematoma from a blood draw?Getting blood drawn is a simple process, but the most common complication associated with it is bruising. Your doctor might call this kind of bruise is also called a hematoma. That's a swollen area filled with blood. A hematoma that you get after a blood test often looks more serious than it is.
What is the most common cause of hematoma formation during a blood draw group of answer choices?The most common cause of a hematoma is injury or trauma to blood vessels. This can happen as a result of any damage to blood vessels that can disrupt the integrity of the blood vessel wall. Even minimal damage to a small blood vessel can result in a hematoma.
Which of the following may cause hematoma?Trauma is the primary cause of a hematoma. Trauma can be the result of a car accident, fall, broken bones, gunshot wound or head injury. Hematomas may also be caused by: Aneurysm.
|