If 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.

You should be concerned about a bruise spreading if the expansion is rapid and accompanied by extreme pain, swelling, or heat, as this could indicate an internal hemorrhage or a "hematoma" that requires medical drainage. In 2026, medical guidelines suggest seeking immediate attention if a bruise spreads without a clear injury or if "blood spots" (petechiae) appear in areas far from the original site, which can be a sign of a blood-clotting disorder or a serious underlying infection. Another major red flag is if the spreading bruise is accompanied by systemic symptoms like fever, dizziness, or a decrease in alertness. If you have a pre-existing condition such as diabetes or are taking blood-thinning medications, you should monitor bruises even more closely. While most bruises naturally change color and slightly "pool" downward due to gravity as they heal, a bruise that continues to grow in surface area after 48 hours, or one that develops red streaks leading away from it, warrants a visit to a doctor or an urgent care facility to rule out complications like cellulitis or deep vein thrombosis.