Arm Bruises
Bruises occur when the blood vessels found under the skin rupture or tear due to a bump or fall. The blood will start to leak into the tissues causing skin discoloration of either black or blue. However, these bruises on the arms should heal and disappear within two to four weeks changing colors from purple black to green and yellowish.
Most bruises are not really a source of major concern since they will eventually disappear on their own. Nonetheless, there are bruises which are severe with swelling and pain and appear at least 30 minutes after an injury. These types of bruises may spell a serious condition like fracture or sprain.
If an individual incurs a bruise easily, it does not mean that individual has health problems especially if it happens once in a while and at minimal condition. Sometimes, people have bruises which they do not have knowledge of and how they acquired such.
Arm Bruises Causes
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As mentioned earlier, bruises occur when the blood vessels are ruptured or torn due to a trauma or injury. According to health experts, women bruise more easily than men on their buttocks, upper arms, and thighs usually because of minor injuries.
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As a person ages, the skin becomes less flexible and elastic. The skin will also become thinner as its fat decreases. These inevitable changes together with environmental factors like skin damage due to sun exposure causes the blood vessels to rupture easily. A person who bruises easily may have inherited the condition from genes passed on from parents to child.
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Bruises also happen because of hematoma or when the blood accumulates under the skin after an injury. It renders the skin to be rubbery, lumpy, and spongy. However, this too is not very serious.
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If bruises happen not because of any injury or accident, they can be caused by physical abuse. If such is the matter, better seek immediate help before further abuse occurs.
How to Treat Arm Bruises
Treating arm bruises do not necessarily require medicines unless they are at a more serious condition.
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Primarily, applying an ice or cold compress to the bruised area will help reduce the swelling. Allow the ice packs or cold compress to soothe the bruises for 20 to 30 minutes or until the skin feels numb. Cold compress slows down the blood flow around the injury reducing the severity of bruises. If the pain is too severe to bear, then taking anti-inflammatory pain relievers may be helpful.
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If the bruise comes with severe pain and swelling, it can be a sign of a fracture or sprain. For such conditions, immediate medical attention should be sought.