Bruising Easily? – Tips to Treat and Prevent Bruises
Do you bruise often or easily? Explore the causes of bruising and take simple steps to prevent bruising. Read our tips for prevention and treatment here.
What is a Bruise?
Bruising can be painful and unpleasant. They commonly occur following an injury, such as a fall or collision with a hard surface. This causes the small blood vessels under the skin (capillaries), to break and leak red blood cells just under the surface of the skin.
Sometimes unexplained bruises can occur due to certain health conditions, medications, or underlying conditions. We would recommend to visit your GP for a physical exam if you notice frequent or sudden bruises, or if you have a hereditary condition of easy bruising or bleeding.
As your body heals itself, the bruise will generally turn from a dark blue or black to a greenish yellow and then it will disappear. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to speed up the healing process as well as some simple steps we can take to prevent bruises from surfacing altogether.
Causes of Easy Bruising: Why do I bruise so easily?
If you are one of the many people who bruise easily, then you might have wondered why it happens. There are many reasons why some people are more prone to severe or long-lasting bruising, including:
Excessive Straining - When we put out bodies under strain, through exercise or excessive lifting and moving, blood vessels may burst and create bruising on your body.
Sun Damage - Extended exposure to the sun can burn your skin, which causes it to lose resilience. This means that any knocks and bangs are more likely to lead to bruising.
Medications - Certain medicine can reduce your blood’s ability to clot, which makes bruising more likely. Medications to be mindful of are aspirin, prednisone, and prednisolone.
Diseases and Disorders - If you bruise easily and often, with no strong identifiable cause, it’s a good idea to see a medical professional to rule out certain blood disorders or illnesses, such as diabetes.
Treatment for Bruises: How to get rid of bruises?
When it comes to treating a bruise, it helps to remember R.I.C.E.R
Rest - Remove yourself from any danger and rest the affected area to protect it from further damage or straining.
Ice - Cold will reduce the swelling and sooth the pain. Apply and wrap an ice pack around the bruise using our Hi-Stretch Support and Compression Bandages for 10 to 20 minutes, as needed.
Compression - Another way to decrease swelling is to wrap the bruised area, gently but thoroughly, with a medium weight Elastoplast’s Crepe Bandage.
Elevation - Keeping the bruised area at the level of your heart, or higher, will minimise swelling.
Rest – Resting the injured area will help to reduce further damage or swelling.
Steps to Prevent Bruising: How to Prevent Bruising
One of the best ways to prevent a bruise is to make sure our capillaries are strong and flexible. A balanced diet, with plenty of bioflavonoids is your best bet. Good sources of bioflavonoids include dark, leafy greens, garlic, onions, and dark-coloured berries. To supplement this, you may wish to look at increasing your intake of vitamin C, hesperidin, and rutin, which have all been shown to reduce incidences of bruising.
When to Worry About Bruises in Adults:
Adults should be concerned about random bruises on legs, bruised knees, unexplained bruising on arms, or recurring random bruises, especially if they occur often without obvious cause. This is because they could be indicative of underlying health issues, such as blood clotting disorders or certain medical conditions, in which case medical evaluation may be necessary.
How Long Do Bruises Last?
The duration of bruises can vary depending on several factors, including the severity of the injury, your healing process, and your overall health. In general, minor bruises may last around 1 to 2 weeks, while more severe bruises can take up to several weeks to fully heal. However, it’s essential to monitor the bruise for any signs of infection, such as increasing pain, redness, or warmth around the area. For example, bruised ribs take several weeks to several months to heal completely, depending on the severity of the injury and if you are providing proper rest and care. If you’re concerned about a bruise or if it’s not healing as expected, it’s always a good idea to consult with a healthcare professional for proper evaluation and advice.
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1. What can bruising easily be a sign of?
Bruising easily can be a sign of various underlying health conditions, such as vitamin deficiencies, blood clotting disorders or medications.
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2. How long to heal a bruised heel?
Healing time for a bruised heel typically ranges from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the severity of the injury and proper rest and care.
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3. How long does a hip bone bruise take to heal?
The healing time for a hip bone can vary, but generally ranges from a few weeks to several months, depending on the severity of the injury and the individual’s healing process.
Always see your doctor if the wound is deep, bleeding or shows signs of infection like reddening, swelling or warmth.
Also make sure to seek medical help if you are not able to clean the wound properly.
In case you have diabetes, a proper wound care is of special importance. Always discuss any concerns you may have with your doctor and/or podiatrist, even for the care of minor wounds and skin cracks – especially on your feet.
Please note that none of the above given tips or recommendations substitute medical advice. Carefully read the instructions for use given in our products‘ packages. Important: consult a health professional in case of any uncertainty of treating your wound properly.
The information provided through this website should not be used to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease. It is not a substitute for professional care or advice. If you have or suspect a health problem, you should consult your doctor. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it, because of something you have read on this website.
For further information on Elastoplast products, please contact us via email on anz.consumerservices@beiersdorf.com. Carefully read the instructions for use given in our products' packages.