How do bruises happen

These red blood cells that collect under your skin cause that bluish, purplish, reddish, or blackish mark. That's where black-and-blue marks get their name — from their color under the skin.

Bruises go through colorful changes as the body begins to heal itself. The color changes mean that your body is metabolizing say: meh-TAB-oh-lye-zing , or breaking down, the blood cells in the skin. This is the process that your body goes through to repair itself. Most bruises will disappear after 2 weeks, and some go away even sooner. If a bruise does not go away after 2 weeks, let your parent know. To help reduce swelling or the amount of bruising after an injury, apply a cold compress to the bruise for at least 10 minutes.

We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Bruises happen when small blood vessels in the skin are damaged.

Over time, a bruise changes color as the blood under the skin breaks down, and as the bruise heals. Bruising typically occurs when a person receives an injury to an area of their skin, such as from falling or bumping into something. The blood vessels between the skin and other tissues in the body burst. The blood pools under the surface of the skin, causing a bruise.

It is natural for a bruise to change color during the healing process. Read on to learn more about the usual cycle of bruising, and when a person should see their doctor about a bruise, for example, when it does not heal, returns or the pain intensifies. A person may be able to estimate how old a bruise is from the color.

As the body heals and breaks down the hemoglobin, or compound that gives blood its red color, the bruise will change in color. This is a regular part of the healing process. However, skin color affects the appearance of a bruise. Those with medium skin tones had more red and yellow to their bruises, while darker skin tones displayed darker bruises.

During the healing process, a bruise will usually go through the following colors :. Finally, once the bruise has turned a light brown, it will begin to fade. Most bruises will disappear without treatment within about 2 weeks. Bruises are not typically something to cause undue worry.

Often, they are a surface injury that requires no medical attention, and people can treat them at home. One common issue is a hematoma. A hematoma is a large collection of blood that becomes trapped within tissues. It is often related to more significant trauma. When a hematoma occurs, the body cannot heal the bruise as easily or quickly as a minor injury. As a result, a hematoma stays the same color, firmness, and causes the same level of pain even after several days.

People may want to try to speed healing or lessen any pain associated with bruising. 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. Aspirin, anticoagulant medications and anti-platelet agents reduce your blood's ability to clot. Antibiotics might also be associated with clotting problems. As a result, bleeding from capillary damage might take longer than usual to stop — which allows enough blood to leak out to cause a bigger bruise.

Topical and systemic corticosteroids — which can be used to treat various conditions, including allergies, asthma and eczema — cause your skin to thin, making it easier to bruise. Certain dietary supplements, such as ginkgo, also can increase your bruising risk due to a blood-thinning effect. If you experience increased bruising, don't stop taking your medications.

Talk to your doctor about your concerns. Also, make sure your doctor is aware of any supplements you're taking — especially if you're taking them while on a blood-thinning drug. Your doctor might recommend avoiding certain over-the-counter medications or supplements. Easy bruising sometimes indicates a serious underlying condition, such as a blood-clotting problem or a blood disease.

See your doctor if you:. To find the cause of your bruising, your doctor might check your blood platelet levels or do tests that measure the time it takes your blood to clot.

Other serious causes of bruising include domestic violence or abuse. If a loved one has an unexplainable bruise, particularly in an unusual location such as on the face, be aware of the possibility of abuse. 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. There is a problem with information submitted for this request.

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