Bumps on the skin can take many forms and colors, and have a range of causes, including injury, allergies and underlying health conditions, notes the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Bumps that are blue in color are usually bruises, and not generally considered serious, according to FamilyDoctor.org. However, they may also be melanoma, a type of skin cancer that is serious and requires medical attention.
About Skin Bumps
Skin bumps can take the form of a rash containing many small bumps covering a particular area or be larger, singular swollen areas, according to FamilyDoctor.org. They can appear on top of or under the surface of the skin, and may be tender, hard or soft to the touch.
Signs and Symptoms
Blue bumps that are bruises are usually tender to the touch and may appear to be slightly swollen, notes MedlinePlus. They usually first appear as red marks on the skin that turn blue or black over time, and may last up to two weeks. Melanoma, however, start out looking like a mole or freckle but, as the melanocyte cells mutate, the mole can turn blue, purple, red, white or gray in color, according to FamilyDoctor.org. Other signs of melanoma are a mole changing shape, looking jagged around the edges, becoming raised or asymmetrical. It may also feel itchy, look scaly and feel rough to the touch.
Causes
Bruises appear because of a significant impact that has caused the blood vessels just under the skin to burst, according to MayoClinic.com. The impact may come in the form of a fall or knock, for example, while playing a contact sport. A small amount of blood from the broken blood vessels leaks into the skin, creating the blue, slightly swollen appearance. Melanoma are caused by melanocytes -- the cells that give your skin color -- mutating and clustering together, notes FamilyDoctor.org. This process often coincides with risk factors such as being over-exposed to the sun, having a family history of cancerous moles, being prone to sunburn or having numerous moles.
Treatment
To treat bruises, keep the injured area elevated to encourage blood to flow away from the bruise and apply ice to it to reduce the bleeding and swelling under the skin, advises MayoClinic.com. If the skin is broken, you may need to apply a bandage. If the injury is painful or particularly swollen, take a painkiller or anti-inflammatory. With melanoma, if left untreated, it can spread thorughout your body and kill off healthy cells, warns FamilyDoctor.org. If you suspect a mole has changed in appearance, you should see a doctor immediately.
Precautions
If you bruise regularly, or if your bruises are especially large, particularly painful and/or appear for no apparent reason, you should see a doctor. These symptoms may indicate a more serious health condition, such as a problem with blood clotting. When it comes to preventing melanoma, the best method is to limit your time in the sun, notes FamilyDoctor.org. Try wearing long-sleeved shirts, sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses when out of doors, and avoid tanning beds.
