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 spill inside your body, under the skin.

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