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Bruise

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What is Bruise?

Contusion; Hematoma



Alternative names

A bruise is an area of skin discoloration. A bruise occurs when small blood vessels break and leak their contents into the soft tissue beneath the skin.



Causes

Bruises are often caused by falls, sports injuries, car accidents, or blows received by other people or objects. If you take a blood thinner, like aspirin or warfarin (Coumadin), you are likely to bruise more easily.



What is Bruise?

Contusion; Hematoma

Alternative names

A bruise is an area of skin discoloration. A bruise occurs when small blood vessels break and leak their contents into the soft tissue beneath the skin.

Causes

Bruises are often caused by falls, sports injuries, car accidents, or blows received by other people or objects.

If you take a blood thinner, like aspirin or warfarin (Coumadin), you are likely to bruise more easily.

Symptoms & Signs

The main symptoms are pain, swelling, and skin discoloration. The bruise begins as a pinkish red color that can be very tender to touch. It is often difficult to use the muscle that has been bruised. For example, a deep thigh bruise is painful when you walk or run.

Eventually, the bruise changes to a bluish color, then greenish-yellow, and finally returns to the normal skin color as it heals.

Considerations

There are three types of bruises:

  1. Subcutaneous -- beneath the skin
  2. Intramuscular -- within the belly of the underlying muscle
  3. Periosteal -- bone bruise

Bruises can last from days to months, with the bone bruise being the most severe and painful.

First Aid

  • DO NOT attempt to drain the bruise with a needle.
  • DO NOT continue running, playing, or otherwise using the painful, bruised part of your body.
  • DO NOT ignore the pain or swelling.

Do Not

Call your doctor immediately if you feel extreme pressure in a bruised part of your body, especially if the area is large or very painful. This may be due to a condition known as "compartment syndrome." Increased pressure on the soft tissues and structures beneath the skin can decrease the supply of vital blood and oxygen to the tissues. This is potentially life-threatening and you should receive emergency care promptly.

Also call your doctor if:

  • You are bruising spontaneously without any injury, fall, or other reason.
  • There are signs of infection around the bruised area including streaks of redness, pus or other drainage, or fever.

When to contact a medical professional

  1. Place ice on the bruise to help it heal faster and to reduce swelling. Place the ice in a cloth -- DO NOT place ice directly on the skin. Apply the ice for up to 15 minutes per hour.
  2. Keep the bruised area raised above the heart, if practical. This helps keep blood from pooling in the bruised tissue.
  3. Try to rest the bruised body part by not overworking your muscles in that area.
  4. If needed, take acetaminophen (Tylenol) to help reduce pain.

In the rare instance of "compartment syndrome," surgery frequently needs to be performed to relieve the extreme buildup of pressure.

Prevention

Because bruises are usually the direct result of an injury, the following are important safety recommendations:

  • Teach children how to be safe.
  • Be mindful to avoid falls around the house. For example, be careful when climbing on ladders or other objects. Avoid standing or kneeling on counter-tops.
  • Wear seat belts in motor vehicles.
  • Wear proper sports equipment to pad those areas most frequently bruised (thigh pads, hip guards, and elbow pads in football and hockey; shin guards and knee pads in soccer and basketball).

References

Schafer Al. Approach to the patient with bleeding and thrombosis. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap 178.

Buttaravoli P. Contusion: (Bruise). In: Buttaravoli P, ed. Minor Emergencies. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2007: chap 137.

Content provided by:

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch). The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- 2008 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

Review Date: .5/2/2009

Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.5/2/2009

Bruise Videos

Bruise Articles

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Conversations On Bruise

  • Weird bruise looking like thing on my leg and stomach


    • Posted On August 11, 2008 11:35:47 AM

      ... very recently... and I've noticed this bruise looknig like thing right on the v-cut(area) of my stomach and the other on my thigh. What can this be? It doesnt hurt or anything...? Pic below... Read More

    • Posted On August 11, 2008 01:58:58 PM

      i bet it's nothing, i wouldnt worry : ) Read More

  • Bruises


    • Posted On June 27, 2008 11:43:06 PM

      Recently I have started bruising really easily i'll bump something then I'll have a bruise the next day...what does that mean..? Read More

    • Posted On June 28, 2008 06:51:43 AM

      ...8;//www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/Bruises-and-blood-spots-under-the-skin-topic-overview:1h8jyduc]Web MD Bruises and Blood Spots Under the Skin Read More

  • Where Did these Nasty Bruises Come From!?


    • Posted On August 12, 2007 06:00:36 AM

      The other day I noticed 2 huge bruises on the inside of my right thigh. They are are about the size of a large round tostito chip. The color is purple and black. This morning there are 3 more and o... Read More

    • Posted On August 12, 2007 07:42:54 AM

      ... them from a bicycle? I have some nasty bruises on my leg and skin torn off my ankle from peddaling to fast on a stationery bike. Usually, when you get hit, you don't notice until way after when... Read More

  • Bruising/pain - why???


    • Posted On September 26, 2008 04:50:26 AM

      ...if the side that I'm lying on in bed is bruised (no physical bruising though). It hurts to touch (just like a bruise would) but no black/purple or even red marks (I don't think - but it's prett... Read More

    • Posted On September 26, 2008 06:34:38 PM

      you could be getting a bruise and it isn't showing yet. some say the memory foam mattress helps that. tho if unable to get one, you could look into getting a memory foam top cover for you mattres... Read More

  • WHO SAYS HULA HOOPING ISN'T INTENSE?! lol


    • Posted On March 22, 2008 08:51:32 AM

      ...!!! I just noticed that I too have a bruise on my stomach from hooping it up!!! Being that I have been sick all week, I haven't done mine in a week... Hope to get back to it by Monday!!! Read More

    • Posted On March 22, 2008 05:02:36 PM

      ...CH!!! I just noticed that I too have a bruise on my stomach from hooping it up!!! Being that I have been sick all week, I haven't done mine in a week... Hope to get back to it by Monday!!![col... Read More

  • Stupid ice screwed up my exercise routine...


    • Posted On February 21, 2008 09:51:29 AM

      ... fell on some ice and now I have a bone bruise on my hip. I can't move my lower body without feeling horrible pain on my left side. But I'm stubborn and I still want to exercise. What can I do t... Read More

    • Posted On February 21, 2008 09:52:40 AM

      Any sort of upper body strength training. Make sure you clear it with your doctor first though. Read More

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