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 treat a bruise on a child?
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).
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 …
What causes a bruise for kids?
Bruises form when the soft tissues of the body get bumped. When they do, small veins and capillaries (the tiniest blood vessels) under the skin sometimes break. Red blood cells leak out of these blood vessels. These red blood cells that collect under your skin cause that bluish, purplish, reddish, or blackish mark.
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.
Is it normal for a hematoma to harden?
Many injuries can develop a hematoma and give the area a firm, lumpy appearance. If you have an injury, you might have more than a bruise. It’s important to see your doctor if your bruise swells or becomes a firm lump, because it might mean something more severe happened under the skin.
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.
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 are the color stages of a bruise?
It often starts red because fresh, oxygen-rich blood has newly pooled underneath the skin. After around 12 days, the blood begins to lose oxygen and change color. A bruise that is a few days old will often appear blue, purple, or even black. In about 510 days, it turns a yellow or green color.
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.
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.
How do you describe a bruise medically?
A bruise is medically referred to as a contusion. A purplish, flat bruise that occurs when blood leaks out into the top layers of skin is referred to as an ecchymosis.
What vitamin is lacking when 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.
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.
Does 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 happens if hematoma goes untreated?
A hematoma is similar to a bruise or blood clot but, if left untreated, it can damage the tissue and lead to infection. An injury to the nose can rupture blood vessels in and around the septum where there is both bone and cartilage.
What is the difference between a bruise and a hematoma?
A bruise, also known as a contusion, typically appears on the skin after trauma such as a blow to the body. It occurs when the small veins and capillaries under the skin break. A hematoma is a collection (or pooling) of blood outside the blood vessel.
When a bruise has a hard lump?
A flat, purple-colored bruise, such as a black eye, is called an ecchymosis. A swollen, painful, raised lump is called a hematoma. Hematomas form when clotted blood develops as a lump under your skin. An example of a hematoma is the proverbial goose egg on your head.
When should you go to the ER for a bruise?
When to Seek Medical Care 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. Call the doctor if a bruise does not improve within two weeks or fails to completely clear after three or four weeks.
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.
How long does it take for a bruise to stop hurting?
Your pain should begin to subside about 3 days after you were bruised. In the meantime, if the bruise really hurts or is swollen, you can take over-the-counter drugs to relieve your pain.
Does Vaseline help heal bruises?
Heals minor skin scrapes and bruises Petroleum jelly keeps the area moist, preventing the wound from drying out and forming an ugly scab. It can also keep the scrape or bruise from getting worse. Remember to clean the area first before applying the jelly.
How painful is a bone bruise?
Bone bruises are usually painful and often last a week or two, but the duration of the bruise can vary greatly and can be altered by the way a person treats the injury. A bone bruise typically occurs when your bone hits something that is hard enough to crack the cortex.
Is it better to put ice or heat on a bruise?
On the day you get a bruise, apply an ice pack to reduce swelling as well as constrict broken blood vessels. Those vessels then may leak less blood. Avoid heat. In the first two or three days after bruising yourself, a very hot bath or shower could cause more bleeding and swelling.
Should you rub bruises?
Caring for a bruise If your bruise is particularly painful, you could: Apply ice wrapped in a cloth to the affected area to reduce swelling and soothe the pain. Rest the injured area. Elevate the injured area.
Why do bruises get worse before better?
Why Bruises Change These changes occur as the blood’s hemoglobin loses oxygen, and is broken down by your body. Bruising can take weeks to fade away, and the amount of time is different for each person. Bruised areas can swell and get worse in the first few days. After that, all symptoms should gradually diminish.
How do you take care of bruises?
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- Rest the bruised area, if possible.
- Ice the bruise with an ice pack wrapped in a towel. Leave it in place for 10 to 20 minutes. Repeat several times a day for a day or two as needed.
- Compress the bruised area if it is swelling, using an elastic bandage. Don’t make it too tight.
- Elevate the injured area.
