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The bruise is a consequence of extravasation (hemorrhage) of blood into the subcutaneous tissue and possibly deeper tissues, it gives a bluish-blue color of the skin. The cause of bruising can be various types of mechanical injuries or it can occur spontaneously in people prone to bleeding. In place of a bloody run, you can apply a cold compress made of sour water or sour milk.
What is a bruise?
Bruising (ecchymosis) is most often caused by rupture of small vessels and bleeding into the subcutaneous tissue (sometimes deeper tissues). Bruises can be of various shades, but most often they turn blue and blue. People who actively engage in physical activity, exposed to spontaneous blows and falls, face the problem of bruises in particular. It also happens that the bruises are the result of an injury that we completely do not remember. Fortunately, bruises are not dangerous. However, you should not ignore the bruises “without cause”, which are formed even with a little pressure and take a long time to heal. In this case, it is necessary to consult a doctor.
Siniec – causes of occurrence
Bruising occurs most often as a consequence of contusion (mechanical trauma) or spontaneously in the case of an existing bleeding disorder (bleeding tendency). Their mechanism of formation is associated with extravasation of blood to the subcutaneous tissues, and sometimes the deeper ones. There are certain factors that increase the risk of bruising.
The following are predisposing factors for the occurrence of bruises:
- hemorrhagic diathesis,
- hardening and “brittleness” of vessel walls in old age,
- inflammation of blood vessels, especially veins,
- avitaminosis C,
- chronic treatment with corticosteroids,
- neoplastic diseases of the hematopoietic system.
A blow or a fall damages the capillaries, and the contusion itself hurts a lot at first, although no wound is visible. The bruise does not appear immediately because hemoglobin from the damaged vessels must first be absorbed, causing the site of impact to change color. The color of the bruises ranges from navy blue, through purple, to yellow.
Bruising and vitamin K.
Vitamin K is responsible for proper clotting. Therefore, there is a belief that its deficiency may contribute to the formation of bruises. It is true that one of the symptoms of vitamin K deficiency is bruising, but in healthy people this is unlikely to happen. A small amount of this vitamin usually suggests a different problem. In people with diagnosed deficiency, causes such as diseases of the liver, pancreas and thyroid as well as disorders in fat absorption and bile production should be excluded.
Vitamin C deficiency and routine are of greater importance in the formation of bruises. These are substances that support our immunity, and their task is to strengthen the walls of the blood vessels so that the blood does not spill into the tissues. A large amount of vitamin C and routine can be found in vegetables and fruits. In addition, you should take care of the appropriate supplementation of vitamin B12 and folic acid, which in the human body are necessary for the formation of red blood cells and platelets (thrombocytes), which are crucial in the blood clotting process.
The formation of bruises is also influenced by obesity and the consumption of excessive amounts of alcohol, which, in addition to lowering the level of vitamin C, also thin the blood. The predisposition to bruise increases with age. Older people with light taps are especially predisposed, because their blood vessels are much more fragile than those of people with darker skin tones. In the elderly, bruises may even appear spontaneously. Sometimes medications taken by the patient (including those without a prescription), e.g. aspirin, increase the risk of bruising.
Siniec – diagnostics
People with frequent bruises and other disturbing symptoms should always consult a doctor. They will conduct a medical interview with you and order basic tests, including urine and blood tests. Based on these actions, it will be possible to find out the cause of bruises. Prophylactic morphology and general urinalysis are recommended for everyone, at least once a year. This often makes it possible to diagnose diseases that can develop asymptomatically and insidiously.
Occasionally, a basic analysis may initiate a long-term diagnosis, e.g. when leukemia is suspected due to low platelet levels.
The problem with blood clotting is often diagnosed already in the infant. Then there are characteristic symptoms such as prolonged umbilical cord bleeding and are characterized by a family occurrence. Sometimes this problem is very little intense, so it is diagnosed only in a few-year-old or an adult. Most often after tooth extraction, which is characterized by profuse and difficult to stop bleeding, or after surgery.
Bruising (haemorrhage) – treatment and prevention
Bruises usually heal on their own (depending on the body), although there are methods that speed up the process. Cold compresses made of sour or cold water, sour milk or whey are used. Crushed cabbage, ice packs and frozen food are also often used. Cold methods are very effective because cold constricts blood vessels and thus prevents blood from spilling out.
Take advantage of the special compresses for making compresses that you can buy on Medonet Market:
- FLEX Mini compress for cold and warm compresses,
- FLEX Standard compress for cold and warm compresses,
- FLEX Medium compress for cold and warm compresses,
- FLEX Max compress for cold and warm compresses.
Another way to treat bruises are ointments (e.g. with arnica) and massaging sore spots. Rarely used, but effective are urine compresses that speed up the healing of bruises.
A visit to a doctor is necessary in patients whose bruises appear spontaneously and are accompanied by severe pain or swelling. Check for a more serious injury. Do not take large amounts of painkillers as some of them can make your blood thinner and thus make your bruise bigger. Preparations based on paracetamol are safer to use.
Read also: Plasma hemorrhagic blemishes
Vascular hemorrhagic diathesis
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