A contusion occurs when blood vessels are damaged or broken after an injury. The raised area of the contusion is the result of blood and fluid leaking from the injured blood vessels into the tissue. You usually see a discolored, purplish area that takes 2-3 weeks to go away.
The condition is a minor problem that usually needs little treatment. Consult with your doctor if the injury does not clear up within a few weeks or if it is severe.
Contusion of Skin
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Contusions are caused by minor accidents to your skin, such as falling, bumping into something, or being hit or kicked.
Almost everyone suffers contusions as a result of routine bumps. People who are at higher risk include:
Symptoms of minor contusions usually include:
The skin discoloration, pain, and swelling of a contusion are enough to diagnose the condition.
Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. Treatment options to help lessen the swelling and pain include:
You may need addition treatment from your doctor if you:
If you are diagnosed with a contusion, follow your doctor's instructions .
RESOURCES:
American Academy of Family Physicians
http://www.aafp.org/
National Center for Injury Prevention and Control
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Health Network
http://www.canadian-health-network.ca/
Health Canada
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/
References:
Bruise control. University of Rochester, Medical Center website. Available at: http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/Encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentTypeID=ContentID=1384 . Accessed July 23, 2012.
Common childhood injuries and poisonings. Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital web site. Available at: http://www.lpch.org/DiseaseHealthInfo/HealthLibrary/poison/bruises.html . Accessed July 23, 2012.
Contusion. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/ . Updated September 27, 2011. Accessed July 23, 2012.
Last reviewed September 2012 by Brian Randall, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Copyright © 2012 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.
