Bruises turn interesting colours – purplish black, reddish blue, or yellowish green. Some seem to get bigger, and some last for ages. What should you watch out for, and when should you contact a doctor?
- Severe bruising, swelling, and pain that start within 30 minutes of an injury may mean a more serious problem, such as a severe sprain or fracture.
- After an injury, blood collects and pools under the skin (called a hematoma). This gives the skin a spongy, rubbery, lumpy feel. A hematoma usually isn’t a cause for concern – it’s not serious like a a blood clot in a vein. A heratoma or bruise doesn’t cause blood clots.
- Blood spots under the skin may be either purpura or petechiae – they are difficult to identify, and aren’t related to injury.
Do you bruise easily?
- Older adults often bruise easily from minor injuries. Bruises are most common in injuries to the forearms, hands, legs, and feet. As a person ages, the skin becomes less flexible and thinner because there is less fat under the skin. The cushioning effect of the skin decreases as the fat under the skin decreases. These changes, along with skin damage from exposure to the sun, cause blood vessels to break easily. When blood vessels break, bruising occurs.
- Women bruise more easily than men, especially from minor injuries on the thighs, buttocks, and upper arms.
- A tendency to bruise easily sometimes runs in families.
Do you see regular bruising on a friend, family member or child? It’s important to at least consider abuse as a cause, especially if the bruises can’t be explained or if the explanations change or don’t match the injury. It would be kind to mention this type of bruising to an appropriate authority figure who is in a position to monitor the situation.