You may also experience pain and tenderness in the area of bruising. These symptoms generally improve as the bruise heals. Read more about the colorful stages of bruises.
Blue bruises on your legs may come from varicose veins , but black bruises can indicate deep vein thrombosis DVT , which is the development of a blood clot. This can be life-threatening. Unexplained bruises that appear on the shin or knee may come from bumping the area on a doorframe, bedframe, post, or chair without noticing. Bruises that develop after a cut , burn , fall, or injury are normal.
However, if you have a wound that bruises, reopens , and produces pus, clear liquid, or blood, see a healthcare provider promptly. These can be signs of an infection. If a child has unexplained bruising, take them to their healthcare provider to determine the cause. Unexplained bruising on a child can be a sign of serious illness or even abuse. Certain medications also make it more likely for you to bruise.
This is especially the case with blood thinners and corticosteroids. Some herbal supplements, such as fish oil, have similar blood-thinning effects and may lead to bruises. You may also notice bruising after receiving an injection or wearing tight clothing. Bruises also tend to be more common in older adults. As you age, your skin becomes thinner, and the capillaries under your skin become more prone to breaking.
Some people bruise easily , with little impact to their body. Women are also more prone to bruising. Avoid aspirin , as it can increase bleeding. Avoiding NSAIDs may also be necessary when bruising occurs after surgery or with extensive bruises, as these drugs risk worsening the bleeding. The use of a soft elastic wrap, during waking hours, for the first 1—2 days can help decrease bruising and discomfort after an injury.
The wrap should be firm but not tight. Numbness, tingling or increased discomfort means the wrap should be loosened or removed. Elevating the bruised area has a similar effect to icing the bruise. It helps prevent the bruise from getting bigger. The individual should raise the affected area to a comfortable position. A person should seek medical attention any time they have the following symptoms or issues associated with bruising:.
Those taking prescription blood thinners, such as warfarin Coumadin , should notify their doctor if they experience any falls or signficant injuries. A doctor can help determine if there is a more severe condition or cause of the bruising that the person does not know about themselves. Bruising takes on many colors as the body works to heal an injury. It is normal for a bruise to change color over time. A person can expect about four phases of colors to a bruise before it fades away.
If a bruise does not fade, becomes worse, or other issues accompany it, a person should consult a doctor. Otherwise, most bruises should heal within about 2 weeks with no medical treatment. Some of the at-home methods to speed up healing that we list in this article are available online:.
Different skin types require different skin care products. This will help prevent blood from pooling in the area because more of the blood will flow back toward your heart. If you keep standing, more blood will flow to your bruised shin and the bruise will be larger. Bruises are kind of hard to avoid completely.
But if you're playing sports, riding your bike, inline skating, or doing anything where you might bump, bang, crash, or smash into something, it's smart to wear protective gear like pads, shin guards, and helmets. Taking just a few extra seconds to put on that gear might save you from a couple of weeks of aches and pains.
Reviewed by: Mary L. Gavin, MD. Larger text size Large text size Regular text size. What Is a Bruise? How Long Do Bruises Last? The color of the bruise can give you an idea how old it is: When you first get a bruise, it's kind of reddish as the blood appears under the skin. Find out what role aging plays and when to consult a doctor.
Yet another unsightly bruise. You don't recall bumping into anything, but lately you seem to be bruising frequently. Is this cause for concern? Easy bruising is common with age. Although most bruises are harmless and go away without treatment, easy bruising can sometimes be a sign of a more serious problem.
Most bruises form when small blood vessels capillaries near the skin's surface are broken by the impact of a blow or injury — often on the arms or legs. When this happens, blood leaks out of the vessels and initially appears as a black-and-blue mark. Eventually your body reabsorbs the blood, and the mark disappears. Generally, harder blows cause larger bruises.
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.
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.
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