We've all experienced a bruise or two here and there throughout our lives. Some of us who are a bit clumsier may have seen a few more. Bruising is a very commonly reported symptom at the doctor's office. But it can infrequently be a sign of something more concerning.
How do you know when a bruise is something you should worry about? And what causes them?
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What is a Bruise?
A “bruise,” or “ecchymosis” (the fancy medical term for a bruise), is a collection of blood and fluid underneath the skin where blood vessels lie to feed the skin and nearby tissues in the body (such as muscle). These blood vessels can leak and release blood into the skin layers and become easily visible.
Causes of Easy Bruising
What exactly causes these blood vessels to leak more easily?
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