It is common to get occasional bruises from minor injuries. However, you can also develop bruises from more serious health conditions, including varicose veins and leukemia.
Black and blue marks are often associated with bruises, although the appearance can differ based on your skin tone. A bruise, or contusion, appears on the skin due to trauma. Examples of trauma are a cut or a blow to an area of the body. The injury causes tiny blood vessels called capillaries to burst. Blood gets trapped below the skin’s surface, which causes a bruise.
Bruises can occur at any age. Some bruises appear with very little pain, and you might not notice them. While bruises are common, it’s important to know your treatment options and whether your condition warrants emergency medical attention.
There are
of bruises based on their location on your body:
subcutaneous, bruises occur just beneath the skin
intramuscular, bruises occur in the underlying muscles
periosteal, bruises occur on the bones
Symptoms of a bruise differ depending on the cause.
is often the first sign. Bruises can vary in appearance depending on your skin tone.
on dark skin tones, bruises
brown, purple, or darker than the surrounding skin
on medium skin tones, bruises may appear red or yellow
on light skin tones, bruises may appear red or purple
It is important to remember that bruises change color throughout the healing stage. On dark skin tones, they may at first be difficult to make out.
Most bruises heal on their own. You can typically treat associated symptoms, such as pain and swelling, at home with some of the following options:
Use an
to reduce swelling. Wrap the pack in cloth to avoid putting it directly on your bruised skin. Leave the ice on your bruise for 15 minutes. Repeat this every hour as needed.
Rest the bruised area.
If practical, raise the bruised area above your heart to keep blood from settling into the bruised tissue.
Take an over-the-counter medication, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), to reduce pain in the area.
Some people may bruise more easily. This includes:
Older adults: Bruises tend to be
in older adults. As you age, your skin becomes thinner, and the capillaries under your skin become more prone to breaking.
Women: Women can be
to bruising as their skin typically has less fat and collagen, and more estrogen.
You may also notice bruising after receiving an injection or wearing tight clothing.
In most cases, easy bruising is nothing to be alarmed about. However, if this is a recent development, you should talk with a healthcare professional about potential causes and treatment options.
Bruises that develop after a
,
, fall, or injury are normal. It’s not uncommon to develop a knot in the area of bruising. These bruises form as part of your body’s natural healing process. In most cases, they’re nothing to worry about.
However, some symptoms can indicate a more severe condition. You should seek medical attention if you have:
increased bruising while taking aspirin (Bayer) or other
and pain in the area of bruising
bruising that occurs after a hard blow or fall
bruising that occurs along with a suspected
bruising for no reason
bruising accompanied by bleeding from your
,
, or mouth
bruising accompanied by blood in your
,
, or
a wound that bruises,
, and produces pus, clear liquid, or blood
If a child has unexplained bruising, you should speak with a healthcare professional to determine the cause. Unexplained bruising on a child can be a sign of serious illness or even
.
It is common to get occasional bruises from minor injuries, such as accidentally bumping a body part on a doorframe. However, you can also develop bruises from more serious health conditions, including varicose veins and leukemia.
If you have bruising that occurs repeatedly or for no reason or burning that has not gone away after months, it is important to speak with a healthcare professional. It may be the result of an underlying health condition that needs to be treated promptly.