A or '''contusion''' or '''ecchymosis''' is a kind of
Injury , usually caused by blunt impact, in which the
Capillaries are damaged, allowing
Blood to seep into the surrounding
Tissue . They often induce
Pain but are not normally dangerous. Sometimes, however, bruises can be serious, leading to
Hematoma , or can be associated with serious injuries, including
Fracture s and
Internal Bleeding . Minor bruises are easily recognized by their characteristic
Blue or
Purple color in the days following the injury.
The word "bruise" is also used for might be bruised if one's
Painting was not included in a
Gallery showing, for example. The implication is that the injury is painful but minor and will recover on its own.
The presence of bruises may be seen in patients with
Platelet or
Coagulation disorders. Unexplained bruising may be a warning sign of
Child Abuse or serious medical problems, such as
Leukemia and
Meningoccocal infection. Anybody with unexplained bruising needs urgent examination by a
Doctor .
The extent of bruising depends on many factors. The state of the tissue (tensed muscle versus relaxed muscle, for example) can make a large difference, as can the effect of being crushed against underlying
Bone . People also vary in the sturdiness of their capillaries — some people bruise more easily than others. A deficiency in
Vitamin C can make a person more susceptible to bruises.
When struck, the victim normally feels some pain, although it may not be sharp and may even go unnoticed. The flesh quickly becomes red, tender, and swollen (this, like other effects, varies with the intensity of the bruising). Repeated impacts aggravate the bruising. Over the course of a day, blood seeps into the surrounding tissue while the capillaries are being repaired. The bruise gradually darkens. Over the course of a week or two, the bruise darkens to a livid red, then fades to purple, black, or blue, eventually fading to yellow and disappearing as healing progresses. Normal, light bruises heal completely in a week or two; more severe or deeper bruises may take longer. The striking colors of a bruise are due to
Hemoglobin and its breakdown products,
Bilirubin and
Biliverdin .
The treatment for light bruises is minimal. If swelling is severe, it might be reduced by applying
Ice or by elevating the affected area. Avoiding re-injury is essential to quick recovery, so rest is probably called for; usually the pain of having a bruise bumped is a sufficient reminder. The bruises should not be massaged.
If bruising is severe, complications may arise. Excess fluid may accumulate, forming a hard lump called a , and impacts to the
Head can be very dangerous. Bones may be
Broken by similar impacts, and joints can be
Sprain ed or otherwise damaged as well. The symptoms of these injuries may appear to be those of simple bruising; if there is any possibility of one of these more severe injuries (difficulty moving an injured limb, severe abdominal bruising or a feeling of liquid under the skin) ''see a doctor immediately''.
Treatments for severe bruising can include ice, elevation, rest,
Painkiller s (particularly
NSAID s), and
Compression Bandages . Massaging severe bruises will worsen the injury. Later in recovery, some light stretching exercises may be appropriate, but it is probably best to consult a
Doctor or
Physiotherapist about longer-term recovery. If a severely bruised muscle is used too early in the recovery process,
Bone tissue may be formed inside the muscle, leading to lasting stiffness and pain. Severe bruises can be expected to take longer to heal.
