Differential Diagnosis for Areas of Bleeding or Hematoma Under the Skin on the Neck
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Senile Purpura: This condition is characterized by bleeding under the skin, often appearing as bruises or hematomas, without any history of trauma. It is common in older adults due to age-related changes in blood vessels and skin.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Vitamin Deficiencies (Vitamin C or K): Deficiencies in these vitamins can lead to impaired blood clotting and vessel integrity, resulting in easy bruising or bleeding under the skin.
- Medication Side Effects (Anticoagulants, Aspirin, etc.): Certain medications can increase the risk of bleeding by affecting blood clotting mechanisms.
- Blood Disorders (Thrombocytopenia, etc.): Conditions that affect platelet count or function can lead to an increased tendency to bleed, even without trauma.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Malignancy (Leukemia, Lymphoma): Certain cancers can cause bleeding due to bone marrow suppression or direct invasion of blood vessels.
- Infectious Diseases (Endocarditis, etc.): Some infections, particularly those affecting the heart valves, can lead to bleeding under the skin due to immune complex deposition or septic emboli.
- Vasculitis: Inflammation of blood vessels can cause bleeding under the skin, and it is crucial to identify and treat the underlying cause to prevent further complications.
Rare Diagnoses
- Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome: A genetic disorder affecting connective tissue, which can lead to fragile blood vessels and easy bruising.
- Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum: A rare genetic disorder that affects the elastic fibers present in some tissues, including skin and blood vessels, leading to easy bruising and bleeding.
- Amyloidosis: A condition characterized by the deposition of abnormal proteins (amyloid) in various tissues, including blood vessels, which can lead to bleeding under the skin.