Definition of Bruise:
A bruise is an area of skin discoloration. A bruise occurs when small blood vessels break and leak their contents into the soft tissue beneath the skin.
Considerations:
There are three types of bruises:
- Subcutaneous -- beneath the skin,
- Intramuscular -- within the belly of the underlying muscle
- Periosteal -- bone bruise
Bruises can last from days to months, with the bone bruise being the most severe and painful.
Causes:
Bruises are often caused by falls, sports injuries, car accidents, or blows received by other people or objects.
If you take a blood thinner, like aspirin or warfarin (Coumadin), you are likely to bruise more easily.
