Bruises And Blood Spots Under The Skin: Check Your Symptoms

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Check Your Symptoms

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, click on the "Yes" in front of the question for information about how soon to see a health professional.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

If you have any of the following symptoms, evaluate those symptoms first.

• Bruises on the head or face after a head injury: Go to the topic Head Injury, Age 3 and Younger or Head Injury, Age 4 and Older.
• Bruises on the abdomen after an injury to the abdomen: Go to the topic Abdominal Pain, Age 11 and Younger or Abdominal Pain, Age 12 and Older.
• Bruises on the chest after an injury to the chest: Go to the topic Chest Pain.
• A bruise or blood spot under a fingernail: Go to the topic Nail Problems and Injuries.
• Bleeding: Go to the topic Cuts or Puncture Wounds.
• Blood in your eye after an injury to the eye: Go to the topic Eye Injuries.
• Bruises and moderate to severe pain and swelling after an injury: Go to the most closely related topic listed below:
  • Arm Injuries
  • Facial Injuries
  • Finger, Hand, and Wrist Injuries
  • Hip Problems and Injuries, Age 11 and Younger
  • Hip Problems and Injuries, Age 12 and Older
  • Knee Problems and Injuries
  • Leg Injuries
  • Nose Injuries
  • Shoulder Problems and Injuries
  • Toe, Foot, and Ankle Injuries
  • Male Genital Problems and Injuries
• A scrape, puncture, cut, burn, or bite: Go to the topic Scrapes, Puncture Wounds, Cuts, Burns, or Animal and Human Bites.

Yes

Do you have bruises or blood spots under the skin and other signs of abnormal bleeding?

Yes

Do you have an unexplained increase in the number or size of bruises or red blood spots under the skin?

Yes

Do you think your bruises are caused by a medicine?

Yes

Do you think bruises may have been caused by abuse?

Yes

Do you think you have a skin infection?

Yes

Did a large bruise develop within 30 minutes of an injury?

Yes

Do you bruise easily, or do your bruises seem to last a long time?

If a visit to a health professional is not needed immediately, see the Home Treatment section for self-care information.

Last updated:	May 08, 2007
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Reviewed By:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, Alexander H. Murray, MD, FRCPC - Dermatology
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer