A bruise, also known as a contusion or ecchymosis, is an injury that results in purple, black or blue discolouration on the surface of the skin covering the injured area. The discolouration occurs when blood vessels known as capillaries burst as a result of a cut, bump, or trauma of some sort, and the blood gets trapped under the upper layers of your skin.
Bruises usually change colour over time and fade away gradually. Fresh trauma may appear red at first, before turning blue or black due to low oxygen levels at the site. Over time the bruise will turn green and then yellow as the injury heals and the haemoglobin in your blood starts to break down.
Bruises can be categorised depending on where they occur. The three most common types of bruises are:
Subcutaneous: Subcutaneous bruises occur under your skin
Periosteal: Periosteal bruises or periosteal contusion are bruises that occur on your bones. Because a periosteum has nerve endings and a periosteal bruise is an injury to its blood vessels, you may feel quite a bit of pain in the injured area.
Intramuscular: Intramuscular bruises occur when trauma causes blood to collect around your muscles. This can interfere with a muscle’s ability to function properly
Bruise on woman’s knee
Bruises are usually harmless. They’re common and often heal on their own without medical intervention. However, it’s important to seek medical attention if you notice your bruises are not healing, seem unusually frequent, or appear without any clear reason.
Sometimes, a bruise may come with a cut, which might require a closer look. Cuts, depending on their severity, can pose a risk of complications such as infection or significant bleeding.
If you experience a cut along with your bruise, visit the Urgent Care Centre (UCC) if:
Your cut is deep and the bleeding does not stop
You see exposed bone or tendon tissues in your wound
You suspect a foreign body is left in the wound
You develop an infection from the cut with symptoms such as fever, swelling, pain, or pus in the wound
The cut is caused by an animal or rusty object
You have been hit on the head or ear
You feel dizzy, nauseous or faint
By understanding when to seek medcal help for bruises or cuts, you can prevent complications and focus on healing effectively.
