What are the types of bruises?

What are the types of bruises?

Your healthcare provider may refer to bruising by its medical term: ecchymosis (ech-e-moe-sis). Bruises are also called contusions. The different types of bruises include:

• Hematoma: Trauma, such as a car accident or major fall, can cause severe bruising and skin and tissue damage. A hematoma is a collection of blood outside the blood vessels that causes pain and swelling..
• Purpura: This type of bruising typically involves small bleeding that occurs under the skin.
• Petechiae: These are pinpoint areas (less than 2 mm) of reddish dots on the skin that do not turn white after applying gentle pressure.
• Senile purpura: As you age, your skin becomes thinner, dryer and more prone to tearing. Your skin also bruises more easily. This condition is known as senile purpura.
• Black eye: A blow to the head can cause a black eye (or two black eyes). Blood and fluids pool under the eye. This condition causes swelling and a bruise, or discolored ring, to form around the eye. A black eye can sometimes indicate a more serious eye injury, such as bleeding in the eye (hyphema), or a facial fracture.