Walking in the dark in a hotel room, I tripped over a bag on the floor and fell face first (right side) onto the top edge of the dresser. It did not cause any dizziness or unconsciousness. Over the next week, I developed bruising on the lower portion of my face. I assume gravity was pulling blood down to that location. I did develop a lump below the right cheekbone, about 1 inch from my nose and about 1 long, 1/4 to possibly 1/2 thickness. It has been 2 1/2 weeks and doesn t seem to be changing. Is this something I should have checked out by my doctor or might it clear up on its own over time?
Hellos per the description of your clinical symptoms it seems that you have developed a bruise due to the traumatic injury. The injury has caused extravasation of blood into the injured area, but as a rule of gravity the blood collects in the dependent part. This in turn gives a bluish discoloration to the area. Any swelling at the site with bluish discoloration may signify a hematoma. Management would have been ice compression initial followed by local application of some thrombolytic gel (Thrombophob gel)Bruise is usually self limiting and resolves automatically, but a hematoma if complicated (large size, infected or formed abscess) may need surgical intervention. Please consult your doctor for further evaluation and management. Thank you.