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Bruises. Everyone gets them, but what are they exactly? They are discolored bumps of skin that people get after collisions that hurt when someone touches them. Bruises are pretty common after collisions, and discoloration of the skin around the injury is normal. So, what are they? How are they formed? How do they heal? And how are they treated?
Firstly, how do bruises form? The most common bruises come after the impact of a blow, following that one may have a broken blood vessel. The blood vessel, as its name suggests, is a vessel that carries blood around the body. When the blood vessels are broken, blood from the blood vessels begins to congregate around the injury site (“Bruises”). One might notice that the skin sometimes looks a little discolored after a bruise. This is because the blood congeals under the skin near the injury site as a dark mass (“Easy”). In summary, bruises are formed from broken blood vessels that create a discoloration of skin near the injury.
Next, why do some people tend to bruise more than others? Older people have a higher chance of bruising. This is because as people age their skin becomes thinner, and as a result, they have less protection for their blood vessels. A study from Cleveland Clinic specifies that people above the age of 65 have a higher chance of bruising (“Easy”). Other research shows that “there are some bleeding disorders and medical conditions that may make you more prone to bruising” (“Bruises”). Bleeding disorders cause more frequent bruising due to broken blood vessels. Older people and people with health issues have a higher chance of bruising.
Following that is the question: how do bruises heal? Cleveland Clinic states that, like many other parts of the body, blood cells can help patch up broken blood vessels. To be more specific, the blood cells that help repair the blood vessels are called platelets, which stop blood leakage (“Bruises”). As stated in an article by Mayo Clinic, “eventually the body reabsorbs the blood, and the mark disappears” (“Easy”). The length of healing may vary from person to person and injury to injury, as it is directly coordinated with the severity of the injury. This means that large bruises should substantially take much more time to recover compared to smaller bruises (“Bruises”). Therefore, the body uses blood cells called platelets to heal the blood vessels after bruises, and the recovery time is based on the severity of the bruise injury.
Last but not least, what is the first thing to do after a bruise is beginning to form? The first thing to do is to elevate the part that is injured. That way the blood will not travel to this area to prevent swelling. The next step is to apply ice packs to the point of bruising for the next 24 to 48 hours after the impact. Of course, remember not to keep the ice pack on for too long. Afterward, keeping the area warm throughout the next few days is also helpful (“Bruises”). Evaluating, then icing, followed by warming a bruise is the key to treating a bruise.
Bruises are a pool of blood caused by the impact of a blow. Bruises naturally heal by the body but can also be treated to speed up recovery time. Bruises come in all shapes and sizes, and some people may bruise more easily than others. Although bruises are considered minor inconveniences, one should still watch out to stay safe!
References
“Bruises (Ecchymosis): Symptoms, Causes, Treatment and Prevention.” Cleveland
Clinic, 26 Jan. 2023. my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15235-bruises.
Accessed 25 Mar. 2023.
“Easy Bruising: Why Does It Happen?” Mayo Clinic, 20 Apr. 2022.
art-20045762. Accessed 25 Mar. 2023.
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