Bruises · Dermatologist · Cosmetic Laser Dermatology NYC

Bruises

Bruises are one of the most common skin conditions in the world. Most everyone experiences bruising during their lifetimes, and you may see bruises quite regularly, from young childhood into old age. Bruises are visible signs of trauma to your skin. They are caused by blood trapped underneath your skin.

A bruise happens when small blood vessels become crushed, but the injury isn’t bad enough to break the skin. Instead, the tiny vessels pop open and spread inside your body, under the skin. Bruises — also referred to as contusions or by the medical term ecchymosis — can occur on your bones, muscles or skin. Your New York dermatologist treats those bruises that are most apparent on the skin.

All symptoms and skin findings should always evaluated with a thorough consultation and physical examination for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan in order to exclude any underlying serious condition.

Signs and Symptoms

Bone bruises are the most painful, but skin bruises can cause swelling and pain, especially when touched. Most skin bruises last only about two weeks, although they can last for months. Bruises typically:

• Begin as a red-colored splotch
• Then turn a purple-blue color
• Finally change into a greenish-yellow hue
• After this progression, your skin returns to its normal color

Anyone from a newborn infant to a centenarian can get a bruise. Many people bruise more easily than others. Why you bruise depends on a number of factors, including:

• If you have certain medical conditions
• Whether you’re taking blood thinners
• How tough your skin is
• How old you are, because as you age, your blood vessels become much more fragile

Steps to Healing

You can take steps right after an incident to help your bruises heal faster:

• Apply ice to the area to slow down the rate of blood flow.
• Keep inflammation and swelling down with cold packs.
• Wrap ice in a towel or cloth before applying it to your skin.
• Elevate the injured part of your body above your heart to reduce blood pooling.

Because bruising happens so frequently and is such a common mishap, you usually don’t have to see your dermatologist in New York every time you get a bruise. If the discoloration subsides within two weeks, you probably won’t have any lasting complications. You should, however, call your Manhattan dermatologist if you experience:

• Swelling that’s unusually painful
• No noticeable improvements after two weeks
• The tissue under the bruise becomes hardened
• Your joints become stiff
• You’re concerned that you may have broken a bone
• Vison problems for bruises that occur near your eye
• You seem to be bruising more often than usual
• Bruising when you have a blood clotting disorder
• Bruises appearing for no apparent reason

You may be a higher risk of bruising if you:

• Have an autoimmune disease
• Have a history of broken bones
• Have endocarditis, a heart valve infection
• Have cirrhosis of the liver

Hand and Arm Bruising

It’s common to get bruises on the backs of your hands and on your arms. Your NYC dermatologist sees this kind of bruising on a regular basis, especially as you age. Called solar purpura, actinic purpura or Bateman’s purpura, these vary from normal bruises that happen after you’ve been hit, bumped into something or dropped a heavy object on your hands.

Actinic purpura bruises seem to pop up for no reason whatsoever. They don’t hurt either, but just seem to go through the colorful stages, and last longer than two weeks. This kind of bruising is the result of weakened blood vessels. Additionally, the skin usually is damaged from years of sun exposure, which is why the condition is more common among the elderly. The skin typically is thin and papery. Other contributors to actinic purpura include:

• Taking steroids in pill form or inhaled to treat lung disease
• Using blood thinners such as Coumadin or aspirin
• Excessive use of alcohol

Treatment May Pose Difficulties

Hand and arm bruising on flimsy skin can be hard to treat. Your dermatologist in New York City may recommend that you talk to your internist about lowering your blood thinner dosage. A midtown Manhattan dermatologist may prescribe a tretinoin or alpha-hydroxy cream that you apply daily. The lotions, when used in small amounts, can thicken your skin so you don’t bruise so easily.

Your NYC dermatologist also may suggest various cosmetics to cover up unsightly bruises if you aren’t in a position to change your medicine regimen. Of course, you should do everything you can to protect your hands and arms from even the slightest trauma. Special sleeves are available to give you added protection.

Bruising from Cosmetic Procedures

It’s not uncommon to develop bruising when you visit your Manhattan dermatologist for cosmetic procedures, such as derma fillers or Botox. You may be especially at risk for bruising if you fall into one the categories above, yet enjoy the results you get from cosmetic procedures. Tell your skin doctor about any history you have with bruising so that he can take extra precautions.

Your dermatologist in New York may, for example, choose an injectable filler that’s least likely to cause bruising. Collagen-based fillers usually are more forgiving than hyaluronic fillers. You also may be instructed to rely on non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen or naproxen, which inhibit coagulation. Applying ice for about a minute prior to getting your cosmetic treatment also may reduce the amount of bruising you experience.

Reducing the Appearance of a Black Eye

Another common condition that New York dermatologists encounter is a black eye, usually formed as the result of trauma to the face. The bruising around your eye, called a periorbital hematoma, typically is accompanied by swelling and tenderness, although you may also experience headaches or blurred vision.

Doctors usually refer you to a home care regimen that includes ice packs and keeping your head elevated until the swelling goes down. Black eyes, like bruises on other parts of your body, should run the normal gamut of about two weeks to heal completely. If the bruise doesn’t heal, however, you may have undergone more serious head trauma and need to see a neurologist.

An dermatologist may be needed if you continue to have unstable vision after the bruise clears up. Your dermatologist can best treat you when the trauma to your face also includes scarring or cuts that require cosmetic treatment.

All symptoms and skin findings should always evaluated with a thorough consultation and physical examination for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan in order to exclude any underlying serious condition.

Important Reminder: This information is only intended to provide guidance, not a definitive medical advice. Please consult dermatologist NYC about your specific condition. Only a trained, experienced board certified dermatology doctor or pediatric dermatologist can determine an accurate diagnosis and proper treatment.

Do you have any questions about Bruises? Would like to schedule an appointment with an internationally recognized, best laser dermatologist in NYC, Dr. James Taft of Manhattan Dermatology Specialists, please contact our Midtown NYC office for consultation with cosmetic and laser dermatologist.