BRUISES

A bruise is an injury to underlying tissues in which the skin is not broken. There are broken blood vessels that bleed into the tissues and cause discoloration. Bruises often result when skin is struck hard, as in a fall or blow. Bruises are usually purple at first, then gradually fade over several weeks to various shades of brown, yellow, and green.

Most bruises require no special treatment. The bruised area will be repaired by the body and the skin will return to a normal color. There are a few steps you can take to relieve pain and reduce swelling.

To treat a bruise:

rest the injured part, particularly if it causes pain
apply a cold wet cloth, ice pack, or package of frozen vegetables from your freezer for 10 to 20 minutes at a time for 1 to 2 days after the injury
wrap the cold pack in a cloth to protect the skin from too much cold
elevate the injured part above the level of the heart
after the first day or two apply warm compresses to help the absorption of the blood

Certain medical conditions can cause excessive bruising.

Seek medical care if any of the following conditions develop:

bruises appear for no reason
a bruise does not heal
bruising in the eye area
bruising with abnormal bleeding in other areas (nose, gums, eyes, or blood in urine)
bruising is significant but the injury is minor

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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