When is bruising abnormal

A hematoma usually is not a cause for concern. It is not the same thing as a blood clot in a vein, and it does not cause blood clots. Bruises that do not appear to be caused by an accidental injury may be caused by abuse.

It is important to consider this possibility, especially if the bruises can't be explained or if the explanations change or do not match the injury. Report this type of bruising and seek help to prevent further abuse. Blood spots under the skin may be either purpura or petechiae. Purpura might look like bruises, but they are not caused by an injury as most regular bruises are.

Petechiae don't look like bruises. They are tiny, flat, red or purple spots in the skin, but they are different than the tiny, flat, red spots or birthmarks hemangiomas that are present all the time.

Sudden unexplained bruising or blood spots under the skin or a sudden increase in the frequency of bruising may be caused by:. Medical treatment for abnormal bruising or blood spots focuses on preventing or stopping bleeding, changing or adjusting a medicine that may be causing the bruising, or treating the medical problem that is causing the bruising. If the skin is injured over a bruise, be sure to watch for signs of a skin infection.

Check your symptoms to decide if and when you should see a doctor. Many things can affect how your body responds to a symptom and what kind of care you may need. These include:. You have answered all the questions. Based on your answers, you may be able to take care of this problem at home. Abnormal bleeding means any heavy or frequent bleeding or any bleeding that is not normal for you.

Examples of abnormal bleeding include:. When you have abnormal bleeding in one area of your body, it's important to think about whether you have been bleeding anywhere else. This can be a symptom of a more serious health problem.

Many prescription and nonprescription medicines may reduce your blood's ability to clot and cause bruising or bleeding under the skin.

A few examples are:. Certain health conditions and medicines weaken the immune system's ability to fight off infection and illness. Some examples in adults are:. Call or other emergency services now. Sometimes people don't want to call They may think that their symptoms aren't serious or that they can just get someone else to drive them.

Or they might be concerned about the cost. But based on your answers, the safest and quickest way for you to get the care you need is to call for medical transport to the hospital. Based on your answers, you may need care soon. The problem probably will not get better without medical care. Based on your answers, you may need care right away. The problem is likely to get worse without medical care.

If your bruise does not require an evaluation by a doctor, you may be able to use home treatment to help relieve pain, swelling, and stiffness.

Call your doctor if any of the following occur during home treatment:. You can't always prevent bruises , but most of the time bruises are not a cause for concern. Bruises are often the first sign of abuse. You may be able to prevent further abuse by reporting it and seeking help. To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment. You can help your doctor diagnose and treat your condition by being prepared to answer the following questions:.

Author: Healthwise Staff. Medical Review: William H. Blahd Jr. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information.

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Health and Wellness. Wellness Library. Bruises and Blood Spots Under the Skin. Bruise Contusion of the Skin. Topic Overview Bruises Bruises develop when small blood vessels under the skin tear or rupture, most often from a bump or fall. After a day or two, a bruise usually turns into a deep blue to purple shade as the oxygen in the pooled blood disappears.

However, none of this timing is always exact. Apply ice to the area and elevate an injury in order to lessen the blood flow so a smaller amount of blood pools in the area and results in less intense bruising.

Also important is good nutrition , such as foods like leafy greens and broccoli that are high in blood-clot-helper vitamin K to prevent blood vessels from becoming brittle and therefore bruises heal more easily. Unless your child lives in a bubble, probably not.

However, adding some child-proofing to your home may soften the blow. There is also the obvious advice to make sure your child has a well-fitting helmet and knee pads when riding a scooter or bike.

Also, bruising in infants who are not crawling or pulling to stand is not a normal occurrence. These ruptures cause blood from the vessels to seep into the surrounding tissue; a larger trauma causes more vessels to break and a smaller trauma causes fewer to break. A bruise forms when enough blood collects in the area to be visible through the skin. For the most part, bruises are a minor annoyance that goes away on its own after a few days. For some adults and children, though, bruising can happen much more easily; the same intensity bump that causes a bruise on one child might cause no discernable bruise at all on another child.

When a child or anyone gets a bruise, it tends to follow a typical progression. These colors are visible because hemoglobin in the blood has lost oxygen and changed color. While bodies react in different ways, the dark colors from the initial impact will start to fade approximately days later. Eventually, the bruised area will gradually return to the normal skin color.

Bruising that follows the above progression should be regarded as a normal, healthy response to an injury; the changing colors are an indication that the body is healing as it should. There are, however, other signs and red flags related to bruising that parents should watch out for that may require medical attention or point to an underlying problem:. You may also experience nosebleeds or clear fluid draining from the nose.

Abdomen Abdominal hematomas may not initially cause any symptoms but can lead to swelling, tenderness and pain. When to get a bruise checked out Bruises are typically surface injuries that heal on their own without medical attention, and people can treat them safely at home.

See your doctor or visit State Urgent Care right away if you notice any of the following symptoms: Abnormal bleeding in the gums, frequent nose bleeds or blood in the urine or stool Frequent very large, very painful bruises Numbness or weakness anywhere in the injured limb Swelling around the bruised skin Loss of function in the affected area joint, limb or muscle Increased size or density Lump under the bruise Pain that lasts longer than days Persistent bruising for more than 2 weeks Potential broken bone Trauma in the head or neck Vision impairment Unexplained or random bruising, especially in the abdomen, head, or trunk, as this may signal a problem with an internal organ Conditions that increase your risk of bruising People taking prescription blood thinners should also talk to their doctor if they suffer a fall or significant injury, as they have a higher risk of bruising and complications from bruising.

Here are additional conditions that increase your risk of significant bruising and complications: Aged 50 years or older Bleeding disorders e. How to help a bruise heal faster at home Mild to moderate bruises typically heal after 2 weeks, though some may heal more quickly. If you have mild to moderate bruising and would like to speed the healing process or lessen any pain associated with it, here are a few things you can try at home: Cold compress One of the first steps to helping a bruise heal more quickly is icing the affected area.

Wrap the ice pack with a clean, dry cloth and press it on the bruise. The compress should never be applied directly to the skin as it could lead to further injury. Ice slows the bleeding because it shrinks the blood vessels and reduces inflammation, which can help reduce the overall size of the bruise as well.

Topical creams Over-the-counter topical healing creams like arnica, quercetin, vitamin B3, or vitamin K offer anti-inflammatory benefits to help speed up healing times. Talk to your doctor to find out which cream is right for you.