Bruises are a common sign of injuries, especially among those who are physically active. Runners might encounter uneven terrain or objects within their path, resulting in an injury that causes a bruise. Fortunately, most cases of bruised legs are not a cause for medical concern and are treatable with self-care at home and preventable with changes in your running routine.
Symptoms
The bruises you notice on your leg skin after running are usually subcutaneous bruises, although you can also experience intramuscular or periosteal bruises from severe injuries. The bruises on your legs can show up in a variety of colors, including red, blackish, purple, blue, green, yellow and brown, depending on how old the bruise is, explains the Kids Health website. You could have bruises of many different colors on your legs at a single time due to the different ages of the injuries. Touching your bruised skin often results in pain, and you might also notice mild swelling and skin warmth in the area of the bruise.
Causes
Running into an object during your run, even a skinny tree branch, could result in a bruise. A fall during your run could cause you to develop bruises on one or both legs, especially on your knees. According to the National Library of Medicine website, taking aspirin for a recent running injury could cause you to experience bruising after a run, as it thins the blood, allowing you to bleed more easily. If your bruises are unusually large or painful, or you did not fall or run into any objects, if you notice bleeding in other soft tissues such as your gums or from your nose, or you suddenly start getting bruises after running and you never experienced these symptoms before, you could have a serious blood-related disorder such as hemophilia.
Treatments
Once you arrive home, applying a bag of frozen vegetables, an ice pack, or a cold, wet wash cloth can help reduce the size of your bruise and decrease swelling, advises the Kids Health website. Resting your legs after running can also help speed the healing process. Elevating your legs above the level of your heart can reduce blood flow to the area and decrease the size and painfulness of your bruise. Taking an over-the-counter pain reliever such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help treat any pain or swelling related to your bruise. Bruises resulting from blood disorders require expert medical treatment.
Prevention
Running on even, paved surfaces with good lighting can help prevent you from crashing into objects or falling as a result of uneven terrain. If you must run on uneven surfaces or are prone to tripping or running into objects along your running trail, wearing knee pads or shin guards during your run can help prevent you from getting bruised.
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