"Ouch! That’s going to leave a mark!"

When our bruises are "earned" — like when a softball wakes us from a daydream while playing catch in the backyard — we accept them as part of an active lifestyle. But what about a black-and-blue mark that appears for no apparent reason? Here’s what you should know about them, do about them, and when you should seek medical advice.

Taking the mystery out of bruises

After an impact or injury, the small veins or blood vessels close to the surface of your skin can break. The bruise it leaves is actually the blood released from these broken vessels showing through your skin. Over a few days, the mark will turn colour (green, blue, brown or yellow) and will disappear as your blood is absorbed back into your system.

And while you may know that the harder the bump, the bigger the bruise, you may not know that:

• Most bruises occur on our legs and arms.
• As they heal, gravity may cause a bruise to seem to travel downward.
• It’s quite normal for blood to pool in one spot under the bruise and cause it to feel lumpy or spongy. Don’t worry if this happens; it’s not likely a blood clot and it is not likely to cause blood clots either.

It’s a personal thing

Some people — not just klutzes or extreme athletes — are more prone to bruising than others:

• Genetics — easy bruising can run in families
• Gender — women tend to bruise more readily than men
• Age — as we age, our blood vessels (capillaries) become more delicate, our skin gets thinner and losses it’s fatty layer to cushion bumps
• Medical conditions — such as bleeding or blood clotting disorders
• Medication — blood thinners (such as aspirin or warfarin) and corticosteroids can cause an increase in bruising
• Supplements — ginko, garlic, fish oil and ginger are also linked to blood thinning

Healing self-help

The occasional bruise (where the skin isn’t broken) is no cause for alarm. Try these simple steps to help heal normal bruising:

• Elevate the area — above your heart, if possible, to prevent blood from pooling to the area
• Apply a cold pack several times a day for a few days — to help speed up healing and help reduce swelling
• Try to rest the bruised area
• Try an over-the-counter pain medication — such as acetaminophen for pain relief
• Speak to your pharmacist for first-aid and pain relief advice and recommendations

When to seek medical attention

Speak to your healthcare provider if you:

• Show signs of infection (pus, redness) around the bruise or start to run a fever
• Suffer consistently from large or painful bruises for no apparent reason
• Have other types of bleeding from your nose, eyes, abdominal tract or gums
• Have developed regular bruising after starting a new medication