Bruises – causes, symptoms and remedies

Bruises

Bruises are bluish or purple-coloured patches that appear on the skin when tiny blood vessels, called capillaries, break or burst underneath. The blood from the capillaries leaks into the soft tissue under your skin, causing the discolouration. Over time this fades through shades of yellow or green.

Bruises often feel tender or swollen at first.

Causes

Bruising is caused by internal bleeding (under the skin) due to a person injuring themselves. Some people are naturally more likely to bruise than others, for example, elderly people may bruise more easily because their skin is thinner and the tissue underneath is more fragile.