Bruises are usually nothing to worry about. But you should take your child to see your GP if they have bruises that don’t seem related to everyday childhood bumps and falls. For example, you might want to see your GP if your child: seems to bruise more easily than other children.
How do you decide if a bruise on a child is cause for concern or not?
Distinguishing accidental from inflicted trauma requires recognizing injuries that suggest abuse: bruises on soft parts of the body such as the ears or neck, patterned or clustered bruises, bruises that are not consistent with the mechanism of injury reported, and bruises that are not consistent with a child’s …
How do you know if a bruise is serious?
See your doctor or visit State Urgent Care right away if you notice any of the following symptoms:
- Abnormal bleeding in the gums, frequent nose bleeds or blood in the urine or stool.
- Frequent very large, very painful bruises.
- Numbness or weakness anywhere in the injured limb.
- Swelling around the bruised skin.
Do kids bruise too easily?
Most of the time, there’s no need to worry. Even so, if your child has excessive bruising, easy bruising, or other signs of a bleeding disorder, it’s important to talk to your pediatrician. A thorough exam and testing can help your child’s physician determine whether the bruising is something that requires treatment.
What to do if a child has bruises?
Your child has a fever.
- Apply Ice. Wrap a cold pack in a towel or washcloth and hold it against the bruise for 10 to 15 minutes. Repeat, but no more than once an hour. …
- Elevate the Area. If possible, raise the bruised area above the heart to reduce swelling.
- Reduce Pain. Use infant or child-formula acetaminophen (Tylenol).
What is the Ten 4 bruising rule?
Pierce et al15 previously derived a bruising clinical decision rule (BCDR) named the TEN-4 (bruising to the torso, ear, or neck or any bruising on an infant <4 months of age), which is applicable to children younger than 4 years who have bruising.
Why is my child covered in bruises?
Possible reasons for frequent bruising in children include: Vascular disorders: a problem with your child’s blood vessels. Platelet disorders: a problem with the blood cells that help blood to clot (platelets), such as low platelets following an illness), or more rarely, a serious conditions such as leukaemia.
Is bruising caused by a vitamin deficiency?
Deficiencies in vitamins that help your blood clot, including vitamin K, vitamin C, and vitamin B-12 may also contribute to easy bruising.
What bruises should you worry about?
Call the doctor if the bruise is accompanied by swelling and extreme pain, especially if you take a blood-thinning medication for a medical condition. Call the doctor if bruising occurs easily or for no apparent reason. Call the doctor if the bruise is painful and under a toenail or fingernail.
Do bruises get worse as they heal?
Bruising takes on many colors as the body works to heal an injury. It is normal for a bruise to change color over time. A person can expect about four phases of colors to a bruise before it fades away. If a bruise does not fade, becomes worse, or other issues accompany it, a person should consult a doctor.
What happens when a bruise turns purple?
Within hours a bruise will turn into a dark blue or purple color. As the bruise begins to heal it changes colors. The color change is due to the biochemical breakdown of hemoglobin that is found in the blood. As the different components of the blood are broken down, different colors will appear in the bruise.
Can low iron cause bruising?
You may begin to bruise easily if you aren’t getting enough iron. That’s because your body needs iron to keep your blood cells healthy. If your blood cells aren’t healthy, your body won’t be able to get the oxygen that it needs to function. This may make your skin more susceptible to bruising.
What does a leukemia bruise look like?
Small red spots (petechiae) Small, pinhead-sized red spots on the skin (called petechiae) may be a sign of leukaemia. These small red spots are actually very small bruises that cluster so that they look like a rash.
What does it mean when you start to bruise easy?
Easy bruising sometimes indicates a serious underlying condition, such as a blood-clotting problem or a blood disease. See your doctor if you: Have frequent, large bruises, especially if your bruises appear on your trunk, back or face, or seem to develop for no known reasons.
Can you go to jail for leaving a bruise on a child?
Advice from a former D.A. In Penal Code 273d PC, California law defines child abuse, or corporal injury on a child, as imposing physical injury or cruel punishment on a minor under the age of 18. The offense may be filed as a misdemeanor or a felony and is punishable by up to 6 years in jail or prison.
What is the fastest way to heal a bruise at home?
The following treatments can be done at home:
- Ice therapy. Apply ice immediately after the injury to reduce blood flow around the area. …
- Heat. You can apply heat to boost circulation and increase blood flow. …
- Compression. Wrap the bruised area in an elastic bandage. …
- Elevation. …
- Arnica. …
- Vitamin K cream. …
- Aloe vera. …
- Vitamin C.
What mnemonic is used for spotting signs of child exploitation?
There are a number of warning signs that can indicate a child may be being groomed for sexual exploitation. To assist you in remembering and assessing these signs and behaviours, we have created the mnemonic – SAFEGUARD.
What is a physical abuse exam?
The physical examination should focus on bruising patterns, injuries or findings concerning for abuse, and palpation for tenderness or other evidence of occult injury. Skeletal survey imaging is indicated for suspected abuse in children younger than two years.
What is bucket handle fracture?
Metaphyseal fractures are also known as corner fractures, bucket handle fractures or metaphyseal lesions. It refers to an injury to the metaphysis which is the growing plate at each end of a long bone (such as tibia, femur, etc).
What are you lacking if you bruise easily?
Low on Vitamin C This essential vitamin helps make collagen, an important protein that keeps your blood vessels healthy. If you don’t get enough vitamin C in your diet, you may notice that you bruise easily.
How long does it take for a bruise to go away?
Bruises usually fade away in about 2 weeks. Over that time, the bruise changes color as the body breaks down and reabsorbs the blood. The color of the bruise can give you an idea how old it is: When you first get a bruise, it’s kind of reddish as the blood appears under the skin.
What do Leukemia spots look like?
Tiny red spots called petechiae One symptom that people with leukemia might notice is tiny red spots on their skin. These pinpoints of blood are called petechiae. On light skin, these may appear as red dots. On darker skin they may be darker than the surrounding skin and less noticeable.
Does vitamin D deficiency cause easy bruising?
Fatigue, constipation, bruising, and muscle soreness are also indicators of possible vitamin deficiencies.
What to eat to stop bruising?
A diet that includes vitamin K will prevent deficiency and may help a person bruise less. Good sources include kale, spinach, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, lettuce, soybeans, strawberries, and blueberries. Lean protein. Fish, poultry, tofu, and lean meat provide protein to help strengthen capillaries.
What would cause bruises to appear without injury?
Unexplained bruising on the legs can occur in both adults and children due to a variety of factors, including injury, age, an underlying health condition, or even things like medication. For example, in adults, bruising can occur more easily as we age due to thinning of the skin.
Do leukemia bruises hurt?
Examples of common early leukemia symptoms include: loss of appetite. bone pain. easily bruising.
