Overview
Bruises are a common type of skin injury that causes the appearance of discolored patches on the skin. Here in this blog, we will share some interesting insights on the major causes and symptoms of this medical condition and conclude it with some precise diagnostic measures and effective treatment options to cure it.
Summary
- A bruise is a skin injury that causes the appearance of discolored patches on the skin due to the clustering of ruptured blood cells.
- It is mostly observed in athletes or people who lift heavy weights or old-aged people due to skin thinning with aging.
- The presence of bluish to blackish marks on the skin leads to discolored patches on the skin.
- Your specialist may ask you for an X-ray if you are suffering from severe pain at the bruised site, or he may suggest a blood test if he suspects you are suffering from a bleeding disorder.
- You can treat your bruised area at home by applying ice or heat therapy or elevating it above the heart region to reduce inflammation and pain.
What’s a Bruise?
A bruise is a skin injury that causes the appearance of discolored patches on the skin. It occurs as a result of the clustering of ruptured blood cells beneath the layer of the skin. Often this collection of damaged blood cells leads to bluish or blackish spots on the skin.
Bruising and Blood Spots on the Skin – Why They Happen?
In most people, bruising occurs due to the rupturing of the small blood vessels near the surface of the skin. And this rupturing of the blood vessels usually happens in response to an injury or when a person accidentally hits upon something.
Often they are also observed in athletes or people who lift heavyweights. Such people are more at the edge of getting affected by this medical condition as the tearing up of the blood vessels leads to their skin damage, ultimately leading to the formation of discolored patches or blood spots.
In some people bruising may also happen due to the body’s inability to form blood clots or a bleeding disorder. The most common type of bruising in such people is associated with bleeding of the gums or nose.
Old aged people are also prone to such bruises or the formation of blood spots as in them; skin thinning occurs due to the aging process. Patients who have diabetes take blood thinners as medication. They are also at the edge of suffering from sudden or unexplained bruising.
Other significant causes behind the appearance of your bruises may include sports injuries, concussions, thrombocytopenia, blood cancer, head injury, or a sudden traumatic accident that may occur as a result of an overuse injury.
Symptoms of Bruises
The presence of bluish to blackish marks on the skin leads to discolored patches on the skin. This condition is also associated with a cut, trauma, or a sudden blow on the body’s injured region. Such injuries cause the skin’s tiny capillaries’ bursting, ultimately trapping the blood at its lower surface. The most common symptoms associated with a skin bruise may include:
- A red to the blue appearance of the marks on the skin may turn dark purplish after a few hours.
- Tenderness of the region around the bruised area.
- Sharp or radiating pain at the site of discolored patches.
Diagnostic Testing of the Bruises
The diagnostic testing of your bruised area depends upon the assessment of your orthopedic specialist or doctor. If he does not find any evidence of a broken bone, he may not ask or recommend you any kind of diagnostic tests.
- X-ray: Your specialist may ask you for an X-ray if you suffer from severe pain at the bruised site. It will help him to evaluate whether the bone is broken or not.
- Blood Test: If your specialist does not find any apparent reason behind your bruises, then he may recommend a blood test. Blood testing will help your specialist evaluate whether you are suffering from a bleeding disorder or not.
Prevention from Bruises
It’s almost impossible to avoid a bruise during your whole lifetime. But you can take some preventive measures to prevent bruising from happening. These steps may include:
- Use pads to protect your knee, elbow, or shin region.
- Play carefully to avoid any kind of bruise to occur or wear shin guards while playing.
- Keep your floors dry to avoid any kind of slippage.
- Regularly monitor the dosage of your blood thinners to adjust them accordingly.
Home Treatment for Bruises
Different home remedies can be used for the treatment of bruises. Some of the most commonly available home treatment options for bruises may include:
- Application of ice therapy to the bruised area. Leaving ice wrapped in a cloth for about 10-15 minutes may help in reducing the inflammation.
- The application of heat therapy can also increase your blood flow and improve the circulation of the blood.
- Elevation of the bruised site above the heart region can also help alleviate pain and reduce pressure so you can relax and heal fastly.
- Wrapping the bruised site with a warm cloth or an elastic bandage can also help clear the pathway for the trapped blood.
- By use of OTC medications to alleviate pain.
- Avoidance of aspirin and ibuprofen may also reduce bleeding.
- Use clothes that fully cover your body to avoid any kind of bruising.
Medical Treatment for Bruises
There is no specific medical treatment adopted to treat a bruise as, most of the time, it may occur as a symptom of another associated medical condition. Your specialist may still recommend over-the-counter medications to reduce inflammation and pain.
When to Seek Medical Help?
You must go to a specialist or nearest medical center if the bruise site is inflamed and you are feeling sharp or radiating pain. Don’t take this condition lightly if you are taking blood thinners as a medication. Also, if you don’t find any apparent reason behind your blood spots or bruises, they may probably occur due to a bleeding disorder. Seek medical care immediately for such cases.
Don’t panic. Liberate yourself from pain; consult your healthcare specialist today if your bruise is not healing on its own.