Health Guide©

Bruise (Contusion)

A bruise (contusion) occurs when a fall or trauma damages soft tissues including capillaries (blood vessels that carry blood between the smallest arteries and smallest veins). The capillaries leak blood just below the surface of the skin and right above the muscle, causing a discoloration. Contusion is usually not serious and heals by themselves. However, head blows must receive extra attention, as these may result in a broken skull resulting in serious internal injury. Bruises, which appear for no apparent reason, may be signs of a bleeding disorder or a more serious underlying systematic disease.

Symptoms

• Red or purple discoloration of the skin, which turns black and blue, then greenish yellow, as the body slowly reabsorbs the blood. This takes from 10-14 days.
• Swelling.
• Pain and tenderness.

Common Causes:

• Injury against a hard, even surface (e.g., falling down).
• A blow from blunt objects.

What you can do

• Nothing. A bruise usually heals by itself.
• Apply cold, e.g., an ice pack (ice cubes wrapped in a towel) to stop the bleeding faster at the time of injury.
• Apply warmth and heat after 24 hours to hasten the reabsorption of the blood into the body.
• Keep the damaged area higher than the heart to minimize the swelling.
• The bystander: Bring the victim to the emergency room of the nearest hospital if:
  >He has suffered a head blow and vomits, is drowsy, or loses consciousness.
  >He has suffered a blow to the body and there is localized tenderness,
  or pain upon coughing, as he may have broken a rib(s) or sustained injuries to other internal organs.