What is a bruise?
A bruise is a mark on your skin that happens when you bump or hit something. Under your skin there are tiny tubes called blood vessels. When you get a bump, some of those tiny vessels can break and a little bit of blood leaks under the skin. That bit of blood makes the skin look purple, blue, or black at first.
Step-by-step (what happens)
- You bump into something. Ouch! That pushes on your skin and tiny blood vessels under the skin can break.
- Blood collects under the skin. The blood makes a dark mark — that is the bruise.
- The body cleans it up. Over days the body uses special cells to take away the blood, and the bruise changes color (purple → green → yellow) until it disappears.
How long does a bruise last?
Most bruises get better in about 1 to 2 weeks. The color will slowly fade as your body fixes the area.
How to help a bruise feel better
- Tell an adult so they can help.
- Put something cold (like an ice pack wrapped in a cloth) on the bruise for 10–15 minutes soon after you get hurt. This helps reduce swelling and pain.
- Rest the part that is bruised if it hurts to move.
- Keep the area protected so you dont bump it again.
When to see a doctor
Ask an adult to call a doctor if:
- The bruise is very big or getting worse.
- It hurts a lot or you cant move the part that is bruised.
- You get lots of bruises for no reason.
- The skin is cut and bleeding a lot.
Remember: bruises are usually not scary — they are your bodys way of cleaning up after a bump. Always tell a grown-up so they can help you feel better.