All About Bruises And What To Do About Them

Bruises happen to the best of us. Maybe you tripped over the dog or rushed through the house and slipped. It can be a simple accident or pure clumsiness! Whatever the reason, regular bruises aren’t a big deal. But when some are caused by more serious reasons, it helps to know more about what’s happening.

What Is A Bruise?

A bruise develops when an injury breaks the blood vessels, not the skin. Since the blood doesn’t have anywhere to go, a colored mark shows up. It’ll feel tender and sore, but the pain goes away over time. You can bruise the skin, muscle, and bone. Skin bruises are common and benign, while bone bruises are the most common.

What Are The Types Of Bruises?

1. Ecchymosis

An ecchymosis is flat and turns black or purple. The coloration is a result of bleeding underneath the skin. For example, a black eye is a type of ecchymosis.

2. Hematoma

Sometimes, the blood may pool under the skin. This turns the area spongy and lumpy. Thankfully, horrifying as it might sound, it isn’t a major cause of concern.¹

3. Purpura

Unlike normal bruises, purpura bruises are not caused by injury. They develop from within the body and are most likely caused by bleeding or clotting disorders. If a purpura shows up suddenly, a serious infection might be at play.²

Why Do Some People Bruise Easily?

1. Old Age Makes People Weaker

As people age, blood vessels become weaker and more fragile. The risk for bruising increases. Plus, after a getting a bruise, it also might take longer to heal.³

2. Medicines Might Have Side Effects

Side effects of some medicines include easy bruising. Examples can be anticoagulants such as blood thinners or aspirin. If you become prone to bruising, talk to your doctor about different options.

3. Bleeding Or Clotting Diseases Can Cause Bruising

Certain diseases might make you bruise easily. Hemophilia, von Willebrand’s disease, and thrombocytopenia are common conditions. Chronic inflammatory diseases, liver diseases, and some types of cancer may also affect clotting.

4. Vasculitis Might Make You Bruise Easily

Vasculitis, or the inflammation of blood vessels, may also cause bruises. Other symptoms of the condition include purple or red spots, bumps, groups of small dots, hives, or itchiness. As treatment progresses, bruising should occur less and less.⁴

5. Deficiencies Weaken Your Body

Folic acid and vitamins B12, C, and K are needed for healthy clotting. Without enough, you’ll bruise easily. Sources of folic acid, or vitamin B9, include dark leafy greens and lentils. Vitamin B12 is only found in animal foods, like fish and dairy.⁵ You can get vitamin C from fruits and veggies and vitamin K from leafy greens.^{6 7}

6. Genetics Can Make You Susceptible To Bruising

Easy bruising may simply run in families. Compared to men, women are more likely to bruise. This is especially common on the thighs, buttocks, and upper arms.⁸

Find The Age Of A Bruise By Color

• 0 to 2 days: red, swollen, tender
• 2 to 5 days: blue, purple
• 5 to 7 days: green
• 7 to 10 days: yellow
• 10 to 14 days: brown

By 2 to 4 weeks, the bruise heals and is no longer noticeable.⁹

How To Treat A Bruise

1. Use A Cold Compress

Apply a cold item to slow down the blood flow in the area. This will reduce the amount of leaking blood.

• To make a cold compress, place ice cubes in a plastic bag and wrap it with a towel.
• Apply for up to 20 minutes at a time.
• You can also use a bag of frozen vegetables, such as broccoli or peas.
• This should ideally be done when you first get the bruise.

2. Elevate The Affected Area

Raise the bruised spot so that it’s above your heart. Prop it up on pillows, couch, or bed. It’ll help the blood to flow toward your heart and reduce swelling and bruise size.

Bruises on the legs take longer to heal, thanks to gravity. Lift up a bruised leg as much as possible. If needed, take acetaminophen for the pain.

When To Call A Doctor

Call a doctor in case of the following events:

1. The bruise lasts more than 4 weeks.
2. It returns without reason or second injury.
3. It gets bigger or stays red, swollen, and tender.
4. It was possibly caused by a sprain, broken bone, or other injuries.
5. Your head, torso, or stomach was hit.
6. You can’t move the body part.
7. The affected part is swollen.

To prevent future bruises, practice mindfulness. Be aware of your surroundings and keep the floor clear of clutter. At night, turn on the light so you can see properly.