Search results
- DictionaryBruise/bro͞oz/
noun
- 1. an injury appearing as an area of discolored skin on the body, caused by a blow or impact rupturing underlying blood vessels: "his body was a mass of bruises after he had been attacked"
verb
- 1. inflict a bruise or bruises on (a part of the body): "I fell and bruised my knee"
- 2. crush or pound (food): "add the beans, tomatoes, and lime wedges and roughly bruise with the pestle"
People also ask
What does bruise mean?
What causes a bruise?
What does a bruise look like?
Learn the noun and verb meanings of bruise, an injury involving rupture of small blood vessels and discoloration without a break in the overlying skin. See synonyms, examples, etymology, and related words for bruise.
A bruise is an injury or mark where the skin has not been broken but is darker in colour, often as a result of being hit by something. The web page provides the definition, synonyms, examples, and translations of bruise in English and other languages.
- Overview
- Symptoms and Causes
- Diagnosis and Tests
- Management and Treatment
- Prevention
- Outlook / Prognosis
- Living With
- Additional Common Questions
- GeneratedCaptionsTabForHeroSec
“Ecchymosis” is the medical term for bruises. These form when blood pools under your skin. They’re caused by a blood vessel break. Bruises look like a mark on your skin that’s black and blue or red to purple. Bruises change color as they heal and most don’t need treatment. Unexplained bruises could be a sign of an underlying medical condition.
Contents
Arrow Down
OverviewSymptoms and CausesDiagnosis and TestsManagement and TreatmentPreventionOutlook / PrognosisLiving WithAdditional Common Questions
Contents
Arrow Down
What are the symptoms of a bruise (ecchymosis)?
Bruises range in size, shape and color depending on the type of bruise, cause and location. Symptoms of a bruise include: Pain or tenderness (sore feeling) when you touch the bruise. Skin discoloration (red to purple, black, brown or yellow). Swelling or a raised bump on your skin (hematoma).
What causes bruises (ecchymosis)?
Broken blood vessels cause bruises to form on your skin. Blood vessels are tubes that carry blood throughout your body. Blood vessels can break or leak like a cracked pipe. This causes blood to seep out of your blood vessel and pool underneath your skin, as there isn’t an opening (wound) for your blood to get out of your body. The pooling of blood causes a visible sign of a bruise on your skin (skin discoloration). Your blood cells (platelets) are your body’s plumbers to repair the leak in your blood vessels. Platelets stop bleeding within your body to heal your bruise. There are several ways that your blood vessels could break, including: An injury or physical trauma to your body. Aging skin. A symptom of taking a medication (like anticoagulants, antiplatelet medicine, aspirin or steroids). Having a condition or receiving treatment that affects your blood platelet count (such as autoimmune diseases, leukemia or hemophilia).
How are bruises (ecchymosis) diagnosed?
You and your healthcare provider can identify a bruise by your symptoms, especially the look and color of the mark on your skin. Your provider can further identify what type of ecchymosis you have based on your symptoms. If you experience frequent or unexplained bruising, your provider may order tests to rule out possible causes. These tests include: X-ray to check for bone fractures. Blood tests to check for clotting conditions and vitamin deficiencies. Advertisement
How are bruises (ecchymosis) treated?
Most bruises fade away and don’t need treatment. More severe bruises might need treatment. You can help your bruises heal faster by: Resting and elevating the injured area to prevent swelling and to relieve pain. Applying ice packs for the first 24 to 48 hours after injury. Wrap the ice pack in a towel and apply ice for no more than 15 minutes at a time. Repeat throughout the day. Applying a heating pad or warm compress to the injured area after two days. You can apply heat several times throughout the day. Taking over-the-counter pain medication, such as acetaminophen. Check with your provider before using NSAIDs. Care at Cleveland Clinic Find a Primary Care Provider Schedule an Appointment
How can I prevent bruises (ecchymosis)?
Everyone experiences bruising. You can take these steps to lower your risk of injury and bruising by: Keeping floors and rooms clear of tripping hazards. Moving furniture away from doorways and walkways to avoid bumping into hard surfaces. Turning on a light or flashlight when walking through poorly lit areas. Getting enough vitamins in your diet. Wearing protective gear like helmets and pads when playing contact sports, bicycling or riding a motorcycle.
What can I expect if I have a bruise (ecchymosis)?
Bruises can be unsightly, but most bruises fade without treatment. Sometimes, bruising is a sign of a more serious issue, so talk to a healthcare provider if you experience unexplained or large bruises. Certain types of bruises, such as hematomas, may require medical attention.
When should I see my healthcare provider about a bruise?
You should call a healthcare provider if you experience: A black eye with vision problems. Bruising that lasts more than two weeks. Frequent, large bruises. A lump in the bruised area (hematoma). Painful swelling. Pain that lingers days after the injury. A recurring bruise in the same location. Unexplained bruising. Unusual bleeding, such as nosebleeds, blood in your pee or blood with bowel movements.
What questions should I ask my doctor?
You may want to ask your healthcare provider: What’s causing the bruising? Why am I prone to bruising? Should I have blood tests to see if a condition is causing the bruises? What steps can I take to lower my risk of bruising? Should I look out for signs of complications?
What is the ICD for ecchymosis?
The International Classification of Diseases (ICD) is a tool for healthcare providers to diagnose and classify conditions for clinical settings. The ICD-10-CM code for ecchymosis is R58. A note from Cleveland Clinic Ecchymosis (bruising) is a common condition that affects everyone at some point. You should see your healthcare provider if you seem to bruise easily or have unexplained bruising. They’ll want to rule out certain conditions that may require treatment. Applying ice soon after an injury can minimize bruising. Most bruises go away without treatment within a couple of weeks. Medically Reviewed Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 01/26/2023. Learn more about our editorial process.
A bruise is skin discoloration from damaged, leaking blood vessels underneath your skin. It can be black, blue, purple, brown or yellow. Bruises are caused by a blood vessel break and heal with your body's blood cells. Learn about symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of bruises.
Apr 13, 2023 · A bruise is a black and blue mark on the skin caused by trauma to the blood vessels. It can be caused by physical injury, sports, concussion, leukemia, or other conditions. Learn about the symptoms, causes, treatment, and prevention of bruises from this web page.
Bruise. A bruise, also known as a contusion, is a type of hematoma of tissue, [3] the most common cause being capillaries damaged by trauma, causing localized bleeding that extravasates into the surrounding interstitial tissues. Most bruises occur close enough to the epidermis such that the bleeding causes a visible discoloration.
- Contusion, ecchymosis
A bruise is an injury to the skin or tissues that causes discoloration or swelling. Learn how to use the word bruise as a verb or a noun, and see synonyms, origin, and related words.
A bruise is an injury or mark where the skin is darker in color, often from being hit by something. Learn how to use the word bruise as a noun and a verb, and see related words and phrases in the Cambridge Dictionary.
