bruising

Bruising is an area of discolored skin. Bruising develops when the lining of small blood vessels is damaged, allowing blood cells to escape into the skin and tissues. This condition most often occurs after a person injures a particular part of the body.

 

A person may notice several stages of bruising. A bruise usually starts out as a red area or as tiny red dots or splotches on the skin. Within days to a week or so, the bruise becomes more purple. As it heals, the breakdown products of blood cells begin to show, turning the bruise brownish-yellow. Generally, bruises heal and disappear within 2 to 3 weeks.

 

Symptoms of bruising vary depending on the cause of the bruising. The bruise may be very small and may blend in with the texture of the skin, or it may be large, swollen, and painful.

 

When evaluating bruising, the healthcare professional may want to know:

 

As a person ages, he or she will bruise more easily. The layer of protective fat just under the skin becomes thinner. The small blood vessels also become more fragile and are more easily damaged. Frequent long-term exposure to the sun can also cause the skin to be more fragile and likely to bruise. The tendency to bruise easily may run in families.

The causes of bruising will determine whether there are ways to prevent it. Wearing protective clothing may prevent some bruising. Avoiding excessive exposure to the sun may minimize skin damage. Other cases of bruising may be prevented or decreased if the cause is eliminated, such as replacing vitamins in someone who has vitamin deficiency.

Tests used to diagnose bruising will vary, depending on the suspected cause. First, the healthcare professional will take a complete medical history, including any other symptoms or conditions that are present and any history of injury. Generally, bruising is most worrisome if an otherwise healthy individual develops severe or multiple bruises and cannot tell how he or she got them.