Bruises and bruises are lesions of the skin, sometimes called “bruises” in colloquial terms. They usually appear in children and athletes who are more prone to bruising and vary in size.

 A hematoma is different from a bruise. In either case, blood leaks into the tissues as a result of the damage to the blood vessels.

A bruise or “bruise” is a diffuse, little or no swelling of blood that appears as a purplish blue spot, which turns yellowish and greenish. A hematoma is a “bump”, more precisely it is a bluish lesion due to the presence of blood, more swollen and bulky than a bruise.

These bruises most often appear on the arms and legs, that is, the movable limbs of the body. They can last about 3 to 4 weeks.

In most cases, bruises and bruises result from physical shock. Bruising may be due to mild shock.

Bruises can be caused by:

• A violent shock
• An intense blow
• Light to moderate shocks repeatedly (such as during a long jog for example)
• The fall of a heavy object

For all of these physical factors, the shock damages the blood vessels and therefore blood leaks into the tissues.

Other factors can cause bruising and bruising:

• Diseases that disrupt coagulation (hemophilia, anemia, infectious diseases, liver failure, etc.) can be a source of blood effusion and therefore contusions.
• Certain medications (anticoagulants, corticosteroids taken for a long time, etc.) can prevent clotting and create “bruises”.
• With age, the vessels become more fragile and the skin becomes thinner. These vessels are then more easily damaged and bruises and bruises can appear.
• In women, the thinness of the skin makes it more prone to bruising and bruising. The vessels are softened by estrogen which also promotes bruising.
• Too long exposure to the sun causes significant UV penetration into the deep layers of the skin which can act on small blood vessels and make them more fragile. Bruises and bruises can therefore form.
• Bruises and bruises can appear after a bite such as a blood test, for example, which can tear a fragile vein.

Bruises and bruises are generally harmless in healthy people and go away on their own. However, some complications can take place:

• A bruise on the eyelid can prevent vision by covering all or part of the eye (= “black eye”).
• A hematoma in the ear can swell, turn purple, and distort the ear.
• A hematoma under a nail can cause it to fall out.
• A hematoma in the cranium (= subdural hematoma) can cause neurological damage by taking the place of the brain.

There are different solutions to treat bruises and bruises. One of the first things to do is to put an ice pack on the contusion to fight against the pain and limit its extension. Heat should also be avoided, which tends to swell the bruise or hematoma.

It is also necessary to monitor the evolution of bruises and do not hesitate to consult a doctor if they do not disappear easily or if they are painful.

Some medicines may be prescribed by your doctor to help with the pain caused by bruises and bruises. Aromatherapy can also relieve bruises with Italian helichrysum essential oil for example.

Also remember to see your doctor to determine the cause of the bruise or hematoma if it is not just a simple stroke.