What's black and blue and ... ouch?

Bruises — and what you need to know about them it happens to all of us.

You bump into something, and before you know it, you have a bruise that’s tender to the touch. Ouch!

Bruises like these — caused by bumps or injuries — happen when small blood vessels near the skin’s surface are broken. Blood leaks into the surrounding tissues, which causes discoloration under your skin and tenderness. The next thing you see is a black-and-blue mark. Over time, the bruise heals as your body absorbs the blood, the mark grows lighter in color and eventually disappears.

But have you ever had a bruise that won’t seem to go away? Maybe the color doesn’t change, it gets bigger, or feels more painful as time goes on. There could be a few possible reasons for this:

• Hematoma

  A hematoma forms when blood starts to collect in one spot under the skin or in a muscle. You’ll notice a firm lump that can be painful to the touch. In this case, the blood in the hematoma is “walled off” in the body, and you may need to have it drained by a doctor.

• Heterotopic Ossification

  Less common than a hematoma, a heterotopic ossification develops when your body creates a calcium deposit around your injury. Your bruise will become firmer and more tender – and should be seen by your doctor.

  If your bruise hasn’t improved after two weeks, you have pain in the joint next to the bruise, or you notice any signs of infection (streaks of red, drainage or fever), you should see a doctor.

Can I make my bruise heal faster?

While your chances of preventing a bruise from forming are pretty slim, there are things you can do to help it along in the healing process. If you have questions about these tips below, check with your health care provider to make sure they’re safe and appropriate for your situation.

• Ice

  Place a towel-wrapped ice pack on the injury sight as soon as possible after the injury. Do this for 10 minutes at a time, waiting at least 20 minutes in between icing. This should help limit the amount of blood that leaks into the tissue surrounding the injury.

• Heat

  If you can’t ice your injury right away — and a bruise has already formed — applying heat can help to clear away trapped blood. It can also help to loosen tense muscles and relieve pain. Use a heating pad, hot water bottle or soak in a hot bath.

• Elevation

  If you can safely elevate the bruised area above your heart, it can help drain fluid away from the bruise, reduce pain, lessen pressure and compression, and help you relax.

• Vitamin C

  This vitamin has anti-inflammatory properties that can help promote wound healing. You can find vitamin C in citrus fruits and leafy green vegetables, supplements or even topical treatments.

• Compression — only after checking with your doctor first

  If your doctor gives you the OK, you can help lessen pain and swelling by wrapping the bruised area (if possible) with an elastic bandage. This can help prevent blood vessel leakage and reduce the overall severity of the bruise. Be careful not to wrap the bandage too tightly. You only want to avoid swelling, not block blood flow.

What if my bruise isn’t caused by a bump or injury?

Easy bruising, or bruises not caused by bumps or injuries, can sometimes be due to medications. They can also be an indication of an underlying — and potentially serious — health issue. If you notice you’re bruising easier than usual, or bruises suddenly appear for no certain reason, be sure to see your doctor.