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Bruise
Medical Questions » Bruise
| Name: Bruise |
| Also known as: Haematoma |
| Leakage of blood into tissue under the skin. |
Causes of Bruise
Occurs due to a surface (eg. body is struck by a blunt object) or internal (eg. fracture of a bone, severe sprain) injury that ruptures blood vessels. If an artery ruptures, a bruise will form very rapidly, but more slowly and with less swelling if a vein ruptures. Patients on medication (eg. warfarin, aspirin) which reduces the speed at which blood clots form will bruise far more easily. Non steroidal anti-inflammatory medications and other less commonly used drugs may also increase bleeding, and therefore bruising. Women bruise more than men, particularly around the menopause, because hormonal changes may make blood vessel walls weaker and allow them to rupture easily. A number of uncommon diseases (eg. hemophilia, scurvy, aplastic anemia) also reduce the speed at which clots form. |
Symptoms of Bruise
Tender swelling with a blue/black tinge to the overlying skin. Blood under pressure can track its way between layers of tissue so that bruising may occur not only at the site of the injury, but some distance away (eg. a kick to the calf may cause a spot bruise on the calf, but a day or two later bruising may appear around the ankle). |
Tests for Bruise
None normally necessary unless a clotting defect is suspected. |
Treatment for Bruise
Initially the affected area should be cooled with ice wrapped inside a cloth, elevated and rested. Paracetamol or codeine should be used as a pain reliever, not aspirin which may increase the amount of bruising. Wrap a firm supportive bandage around the damaged area to give support, reduce movement, and prevent further bleeding.
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Complications of Bruise of its treatment
Patients with excessive bruising should have a blood test to check that their clotting mechanism is working normally. |
Likely Outcome of Bruise
With time and rest the swelling will reduce, the bruise will go from blue/black to purple, brown and finally yellow before disappearing. There may be some residual swelling and firmness at the bruise site due to the formation of fibrous scar tissue and the skin over the area may dry out and flake off. |
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