Bruises (contusions) develop when small blood vessels under the skin tear or rupture, most often from a bump or fall. Blood leaks into tissues under the skin and causes the black-and-blue color. As bruises heal, usually within 2 to 4 weeks, they often turn colors, including purplish black, reddish blue, or yellowish green. Sometimes the area of the bruise spreads down the body in the direction of gravity. A bruise on a leg usually will take longer to heal than a bruise on the face or arms.

Most bruises are not a cause for concern and will go away on their own. Home treatment may speed healing and relieve the swelling and soreness that often accompany bruises that are caused by injury. However, severe bruising, swelling, and pain that begin within 30 minutes of an injury may mean a more serious problem, such as a severe sprain or fracture.

If you bruise easily, you may not even remember what caused a bruise. Bruising easily does not mean you have a serious health problem, especially if bruising is minimal or only shows up once in a while.

·       Older adults often bruise easily from minor injuries, especially injuries to the forearms, hands, legs, and feet. As a person ages, the skin becomes less flexible and thinner because there is less fat under the skin. The cushioning effect of the skin decreases as the fat under the skin decreases. These changes, along with skin damage from exposure to the sun, cause blood vessels to break easily. When blood vessels break, bruising occurs.

·       Women bruise more easily than men, especially from minor injuries on the thighs, buttocks, and upper arms.

·       A tendency to bruise easily sometimes runs in families.

Occasionally after an injury, blood collects and pools under the skin (hematoma), giving the skin a spongy, rubbery, lumpy feel. A regular bruise is more spread out and may not feel like a firm lump. 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.

Sudden unexplained bruising or blood spots under the skin (purpura or petechiae) or a sudden increase in the frequency of bruising may be caused by:

·       A medication, such as aspirin or blood thinners (anticoagulants).

·       Infection that causes the buildup of toxin in the blood or tissues (sepsis).

·       A Bleeding or clotting disorder, such as hemophilia, von Willebrand's disease, thrombocytopenia, or another less common Bleeding or clotting disorder.

·       Chronic inflammatory diseases, such as lupus.

·       Liver disease, such as cirrhosis.

·       Some types of Cancer, such as Hodgkin's disease, leukemia, or multiple myeloma.

·       Inflammation of a blood vessel (vasculitis).

·       Malnutrition, such as deficiencies of vitamins B₁₂, C, or K, or folic Acid.

Treatment

Arnica (Arnica Montana)

Arnica is the most commonly-used of the herbs for traumatic injuries and is said to speed the disappearance of bruises.  Many gels, creams, ointments, and salves contain arnica.  You can also make your own compress with arnica flowers you purchase in bulk.  Just steep 2 teaspoons of dried flowers in 1 cup of hot water for 10 minutes, strain and cool; or add 1 dropperful of Tincture to 1 cup of water.  Wet a clean cloth with the solution and apply to the injured area for half an hour, 3 times a day, preferably beginning as soon as the injury occurs.  (Caution:  Do not apply products containing arnica to broken skin or wounds.)

Comfrey (Symphytum officinale)

Comfrey contains allantoin, a substance that helps “knit” cells back together.  It’s also anti-inflammatory.  The Commission E endorses its external use in treating bruises, sprains, and strains.  You can make poultice to apply to an injury by wrapping wet Comfrey leaves in a clean cloth and apply to the injury.  Or make a tea of the roots or leaves (steep ¼ cup of dried roots or leaves in 2 cups of hot water for 15 minutes), cool, strain, and moisten a cloth with this solution.  Apply for about an hour at a time 4 times a day or as needed.  Comfrey is in many commercial first-aid salves; apply these as the manufacturer recommends.

Calendula (Calendula officinalis)

Anti-inflammatory, astringent, Antiseptic and cooling, these pretty flowers have all of these properties plus it inhibits Bleeding.  Steep the dried flowers in the same way as for arnica to make a compress and apply to the injured area 3 times a day.