Bruises, OUCH!

A bruise, also called a contusion or an ecchymosis, happens when a part of the body is struck and the muscle fibers and connective tissue underneath are crushed but the skin doesn't break. Bruises usually occur after an injury caused by blunt objects. Unexplained bruises can indicate that a child has a bleeding tendency. Blood from damaged blood vessels deep beneath the skin collects near the surface of the skin resulting in what we think of as a black and blue mark.

Home Treatment after Bruise happens:

• Apply ice to the bruised area for 20 to 30 minutes.
• Give acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain.
• Don't use aspirin because it may prolong the bleeding.
• After 48 hours apply a warm washcloth for 10 minutes 3 times a day to help the skin reabsorb the blood.
• Do not open blood blisters because it will increase the possibility of infection. The blisters will dry up and peel off in 1 to 2 weeks.
• If the bruise takes up a large area of the leg or foot, the leg should be kept elevated as much as possible during the first 24 hours after the injury.
• If unsure  see a health care professional.

Causes of Bruise: Anyone can get a bruise however some people bruise easily, whereas others don't.

• Bruises can occur in some people who exercise rigorously, such as athletes and weight lifters.
• Unexplained bruises that occur easily or for no apparent reason may indicate a bleeding disorder, especially if the bruising is accompanied by frequent nosebleeds or bleeding gums.
• lruises in elderly people frequently occur because their skin has become thinner with age. The tissues that support the underlying blood vessels have become more fragile.

Symptoms: When you first get a bruise, it's kind of reddish as the blood appears under the skin. Within 1 or 2 days, the hemoglobin (an iron-containing substance that carries oxygen) in the blood changes and your bruise turns bluish-purple or even blackish. After 5 to 10 days, the bruise turns greenish or yellowish. lhen, after 10 or 14 days, it turns yellowish-brown or light brown and then dissapears.

When is Bruise Dangerous.

• A bruise doesn't go away after 2 weeks.
• You bruise often and you haven't been bumping into things.
• lruises seem to develop for no known reasons.
• A bruise is getting more painful.
• Your bruise is swelling.
• You can't move a joint.
• Some bruises, such as those on the head or the eye, can cause a lot of anxiety.

You must contact doctor if Bruise doesn't fades even after 15 days. Some diseases or conditions will cause you to bruise more easily. Easy bruising may indicate a nutritional deficiency. Hemophilia and von Willebrand disease also cause easy bruising. In both diseases, the blood doesn't clot properly. These diseases can be very serious and require a doctor's care. Bruises can't be prevented completely however taking small care you can prevent yourself from getting hurt.

(Sources: aboutkidshealth.ca, kidshealth.org, emedicinehealth.com, ezinearticles.com)