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Having known what is a bruise, you will be interested to know its types. Subcutaneous, intramuscular and periosteal are the three types of bruises. Subcutaneous bruises last only for short time and are less painful than other types as it is just a minor one. It affects the blood vessels which are under the skin and so you see it appear as dark purple or brown in color. It turns yellowish or light brown before vanishing completely. Next, you have the intramuscular bruise which appears in the muscles under the skin. It appears deeper under the skin because it happens due to a hard hit. So, it can be painful and larger also. The last one is periosteal bruise which affects not only the blood vessels but also the cortex. Sometimes it can lead to a fracture or a bone bruise and mostly it is diagnosed with the help of an X-ray. Here you can know all about bruises.
Well having said so much about what is a bruise, how are you to know the symptoms? A fresh bruise will appear reddish in color which after a few hours turns into blue or dark purple. And after a few days, turns into yellow or green. Usually a bruise is tender but sometimes painful and as the color fades, the pain also decreases.
You need to consult a doctor if the bruise seems to be extremely painful and if it swells. Care should be taken if the bruise occurs under a toe nail or finger nail. Even after two weeks, if you don’t find any relief from the pain a bruise inflicts, get things checked with a doctor. If for some reason the bruise appears on the head and if the person seems to lose his memory, immediate medical aid should be given. In the same way, bruises above the eye are also dangerous as it can spread all about bruises.
There are examinations and tests for bruises. One of these is the X-ray, and it is taken when the swelling doesn't decrease or when there is severe pain. If the bruises appear often without any specific reasons, the doctor may advise you to go for a blood test to check for any disorders.
Just knowing what is a bruise is not enough; you also have to be aware of the treatments. An icepack or a bag of frozen peas should be kept on the affected area for nearly 20-30 minutes to reduce the swelling and also for quick healing. If the bruise is on the leg or foot, rest your leg on a higher position for atleast 24 hours. Taking some pain killers can reduce pain caused by the bruise. After 48 hours, keep a warm wash cloth on the bruise for 2 to 3 times to increase blood flow to the bruised area.
