Damage to the skin and subcutaneous tissues, but without breaking the skin, usually caused by a blow from a blunt instrument or object. Damage to the underlying local blood vessels allows blood to escape into the tissues, resulting in swelling and the red, blue, and yellow discolouration over the affected area.
BruiseClassifications and external resources
| ICD-10 | S00 - S90 |
|---|
A bruise or contusion or ecchymosis is a kind of injury, usually caused by blunt impact, in which the capillaries are damaged, allowing blood to seep into the surrounding tissue. Sometimes, however, bruises can be serious, leading to other more life threatening forms of hematoma, or can be associated with serious injuries, including fractures and internal bleeding. Minor bruises are easily recognized by their characteristic blue or purple color in the days following the injury.
The word "bruise" is also used for fruit — a fruit is considered bruised when an impact breaks its internal water-containing structures, leading to a soft spot. More generally, "bruise" is used metaphorically to mean any minor injury: one's ego might be "bruised" if one's painting was not included in a gallery showing, for example.
The presence of bruises may be seen in patients with platelet or coagulation disorders.
The extent of bruising depends on many factors. People also vary in the sturdiness of their capillaries — some people bruise more easily than others.
Light bruises
When struck, the victim normally feels some pain, although it may not be sharp and may even go unnoticed. Over the course of a week or two, the bruise darkens to a livid red, then fades to purple, black, or blue, eventually fading to yellow and disappearing as healing progresses. more severe or deeper bruises may take longer.
The treatment for light bruises is minimal. Do not massage the bruised area if it causes pain."
Severe bruises
If bruising is severe, complications may arise. More seriously, the impacts that cause severe bruising can also cause other damage: impacts to the torso may damage internal organs, and impacts to the head can be very dangerous. The symptoms of these injuries may appear to be those of simple bruising; if there is any possibility of one of these more severe injuries (difficulty moving an injured limb, severe abdominal bruising or a feeling of liquid under the skin) see a doctor immediately.
Treatments for severe bruising can include RICE: Rest, Ice, Compression bandages and Elevation, and painkillers (particularly NSAIDs). Massaging severe bruises will worsen the injury. If a severely bruised muscle is used too early in the recovery process, bone tissue may be formed inside the muscle, leading to lasting stiffness and pain. Severe bruises can be expected to take longer to heal.
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