What Is a Bruise? Simple Explanation for a 6-year-old

Corrected sentence

A bruise is a dark or purple mark on your skin that can appear after you bump into something or fall. It happens when tiny blood vessels under the skin break and a little blood leaks out under the skin.

Explained for a 6-year-old

When you bump your arm or leg, the tiny tubes that carry blood (they are called blood vessels) can get a little hurt. Some blood goes under your skin and makes a colored spot called a bruise. Bruises often turn different colors as they heal.

What to do if you get a bruise

• Tell a grown-up.
• Put something cold (like a wrapped ice pack or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel) on it for 10–15 minutes to help it feel better.
• Rest the spot and let it heal—most bruises get better in a week or two.

If a bruise is very big, hurts a lot, or you get bruises without bumping into things, tell a grown-up or see a doctor.