Bruises and Blood Spots Under the Skin

Emergencies

Yes	Do you have any of the following symptoms that require emergency treatment? Call 911 or other emergency services immediately.

• Signs of shock:
  • In children
  • In adults and older children
• A significant decrease in level of consciousness:
  • In children
  • In adults and older children

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.

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Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS	Last Updated: May 8, 2007
Medical Review:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine Alexander H. Murray, MD, FRCPC - Dermatology
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