How do you differentiate between blood clots and bruises?

Blood clots can be "extremely dangerous" and have serious consequences if not treated quickly. Sometimes it causes a "discoloration" of the skin; But how do you distinguish between bruises and blood clots?

Blood clots can be "life-threatening if not treated quickly", according to the NHS. However, blood clots do not always have immediate and visible symptoms.

Blood clots usually occur within a large blood vessel, such as an artery or vein. This is known as venous thrombosis.
"Symptoms of a blood clot may become visible or palpable, especially if the blood clots develop near the surface of the skin or if they block blood flow deep in a limb," Medical News Today says.
Blood clots can present obvious symptoms, most often if they form in the leg, although this can also occur in the arms or even the abdomen.

In the leg, the NHS describes symptoms of a blood clot as 'swelling and redness'.

Web MD explains: "If a vein clot in your arms or legs becomes blocked, it may look bluish or red. Your skin may also change color due to damage to blood vessels afterward. A pulmonary embolism in your lungs can make your skin pale, bluish, and moist."

In some cases, damage to the blood vessels can also lead to what is known as a hematoma.

Medical News Today describes this as when “large amounts of blood seep into the surrounding tissues. This pool of blood can then become sticky and harden.

A hematoma is not a blood clot, although it can have one result.

How to Know the difference between bruising and symptoms of a blood clot

Although bruises also cause some changes in skin color and sometimes even lead to swelling, the broader causes and symptoms of a blood clot are quite different.

Bruises tend to cause a change in skin color that changes over time. It can also be painful when touched during healing.
As the signs of a bruise fade, the pain also tends to ease.

On the other hand, blood clots can occur for a number of reasons. Sometimes this is part of the natural process of healing after an injury.

Medical News Today states that: "Damage to the area that causes blood to clot in the blood called platelets to clump together near the injury, helping to stop the bleeding. Blood can also clot for no apparent reason. Small clots that form may disappear from "However, some blood clots become too large or form in places where there is no injury."

And unlike bruises, blood clots don't necessarily follow a precise pattern because they heal and can become more serious.

In addition to changes in skin color and swelling, people with blood clots may also notice that the area feels tender or even tender.

The NHS also lists some of the more serious symptoms of a blood clot which, if they occur, will require urgent medical help.
These include: throbbing or cramping pain, swelling, redness and warmth in the leg or arm. As well as sudden shortness of breath and sharp chest pain that may worsen when inhaling or coughing accompanied by blood.