What causes a bruise and what can you do about it?

What causes a bruise and what can you do about it?

What is a bruise, and what can you do about it? A bruise is caused when tiny blood vessels are damaged or broken as the result of trauma to the skin (be it bumping against something or hitting yourself with a hammer).

What’s the difference between a bruise and subcutaneous bruise?

As the bruise heals, the color of the bruise will change, becoming red, green, or yellow before it disappears. Bruises just under the skin are called “subcutaneous.”

How long does it take for a bruise to change color?

When it first appears, a bruise will be reddish looking, reflecting the color of the blood in the skin. By one to two days, the reddish iron from the blood undergoes a change and the bruise will appear blue or purple. By day six, the color changes to green and by day eight to nine, the bruise will appear yellowish-brown.

What causes a bruise or blood clot on the skin?

They occur when small blood vessels called “capillaries” burst. This traps blood below the skin’s surface. Bruises often occur due to trauma to the bruised area from a cut, blunt force, or bone fractures.

What happens if you don’t have a bruise on your skin?

Your skin isn’t broken, so the blood doesn’t have anywhere to go. It pools and forms clots and changes the color of the skin above the injury. Harder blows tend to cause bigger bruises — also called contusions. They may be tender or hurt badly.

Why are some people more prone to bruising than others?

However, if you bruise easily, a minor bump — one you might not even notice — can result in a substantial bruise. Some people — especially women — are more prone to bruising than others. As you get older, your skin also becomes thinner and loses some of the protective fatty layer that helps cushion your blood vessels from injury.

Is there anything you can do about easy bruising?

Unfortunately, once a bruise has formed, not much can be done to treat it. Most bruises eventually disappear as your body reabsorbs the blood, although healing might take longer as you age. It might help to elevate the affected area and apply ice. Kraut EH. Easy bruising. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Jan. 4, 2017. Skin care and aging.

What’s the difference between a bruise and a bruise?

Bumps and bruises facts. A bruise is medically referred to as a contusion. Bruises occur when tiny blood vessels are damaged or broken. The injury required to produce a bruise varies with age and certain medications. Individual bruises change in appearance over time.