What does it mean when your leg looks bruised?

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.

How do you know if you have a bruised leg?

It typically starts with a pinkish red color, becomes bluish, and then turns a yellow-green color. Pain is often present with bruising and is typically worse with bone bruises than with muscle or surface bruises. Swelling may occur, although muscle and bone bruises may not cause visible symptoms.

What does bruised skin look like?

Blood leaks into tissues under the skin and causes the black-and-blue colour. As bruises (contusions) heal, usually within 2 to 4 weeks, they often turn colours, including purplish black, reddish blue, or yellowish green. Sometimes the area of the bruise spreads down the body in the direction of gravity.

What does a bruised muscle look like?

Contusions cause swelling and pain and can limit joint range of motion near the injury. Torn blood vessels may cause bluish discoloration. The injured muscle may feel weak and stiff. Sometimes a pool of blood collects within damaged tissue, forming a lump over the injury (hematoma).

When should you go to the doctor for a bruised leg?

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 if your bruise turns red?

During the healing process, a bruise will usually go through the following colors: It often starts red because fresh, oxygen-rich blood has newly pooled underneath the skin. After around 1–2 days, the blood begins to lose oxygen and change color.

How long does a badly bruised muscle take to heal?

Recovery time can range between a few days to a few weeks. Though many cases of muscle bruising heal on their own, more severe muscle injuries may require medical attention. If your symptoms don’t improve within a few days of developing the injury, see your doctor.

How do you treat a badly bruised leg?

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1. Rest the bruised area, if possible.
2. 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.
3. Compress the bruised area if it is swelling, using an elastic bandage. Don’t make it too tight.
4. Elevate the injured area.

What causes a bruise on the leg?

Aging. Your skin and tissue of your limbs become thinner and less flexible as you age ( 1 ). Due to this, a minor injury can easily damage the skin, leading to excessive bruising of the arms and legs. Also, longtime sun exposure makes blood vessels particularly vulnerable to rupturing causing bruising…

What would cause a bruise without injury?

Bruising without an injury can be a sign of diseases of the kidney, liver and blood such as hemophilia, leukemia, Hodgkin’s disease, multiple myeloma, scurvy and thrombocytopenia.

What causes bruising without injury?

Bruises without injuries can be caused by thinning of the skin which could be caused by a number of factors. Some medication when taken for too long could lead to bruising without injuries. Aspirin is one such drug. It leads to coagulation changes which then lead to spontaneous hematoma.

Why do I have random bruises on my thighs?

Random or unexplained bruising on legs can happen for a number of reasons. For example, being in the sun too long, aging, or a vitamin deficiency can weaken small blood vessels near the skin’s surface.