Understand Bruise in Kids
Bruises are almost like a rite of passage for kids. It is impossible to go through childhood without picking up a bruise or two. Kids just can’t help it! Their natural curiosity, love of play, and bottomless energy are why they inevitably end up with bruises somewhere along the way. As parents, you’d often find your sons and daughters running home crying in pain with blue, brown, and yellow spots on their elbows, knees or limbs.
While we all know it is a natural part of childhood and growing up, it wouldn’t hurt to pick up some knowledge on bruises, how they occur and possible ways to treat them. Read on to find out more and help your kids manage them effectively.
What is a Bruise?
A bruise is normally a mark or spot on your skin that is caused by trapped blood underneath the surface of the skin1. Bruises happen when an injury (mainly from blunt trauma) crushes small blood vessels without breaking the skin. These crushed vessels break and leak blood under the skin which is why we see discoloration on the affected area.
Often swollen and painful, bruises can take time to heal. There are many kinds of bruises that you can get. You can experience skin, muscle, and bone bruises - the latter being the most serious and requires immediate medical attention.
How Do Bruises Occur in Children and How Long Does it Take to Heal?
Children normally get bruises from accidents that happen when they are playing such as tripping, falling off of heights, or bumping hard into objects. Some children are naturally more prone to bruising than others4, 7. Children with leukemia or anemia for example, bruise more easily2, 3.
A bruise will normally start out as red or purplish in color because of the blood flowing to the injured area5, 6. The bruise might also swell because of the blood that is collecting in the tissue. This red or purplish color can then transition to blue or black as oxygen disappears from the collected blood. Within a week, it can then turn to green or yellow in color. Don’t worry, this simply means that it is healing. Within two weeks, this green or yellow color will fade to a light brown until it completely fades away.
When Should You See a Doctor?
Bruises in children normally take around two weeks to heal completely. If you notice that your child’s bruise is taking a while to heal or if your child is experiencing too much pain, consult your doctor or healthcare provider immediately.
Also consult your doctor if you notice these signs in your child8:
- Very painful swelling at the bruised area
- Lingering pain three days after a minor injury
- Your child has frequent, large, and painful bruises. Especially if they appear on the trunk, back or face and they seem to appear without any reason
- You notice that your child bruises easily and has a history of significant bleeding
- There is a lump (hematoma) forming over the bruise
- Your child is experiencing abnormal bleeding in other areas such as the gums or nose
- Your child suddenly starts to bruise without prior medical conditions
- You have a family history of easy bruising and/or bleeding
Consult your doctor immediately as these symptoms may point to more serious problems like blood clotting or other blood related diseases.
Treatment and Medicine for Bruises in Children
While bruises in children can go away easily, bruising medicine and treatment can certainly alleviate pain or discomfort. You can treat bruises by resting the bruised area as much as possible and icing it to reduce the swelling8.
If the pain is too much for your child to bear, there is medicine for bruises in children. Consider using ointments containing eucalyptus oil and camphor which possess anti-inflammatory properties that can help relieve minor pain from bruises.
Don’t worry too much if your child has a bruise from a minor injury. It should heal and go away on its own within two weeks! If other associated problems persist, consult a healthcare professional for immediate medical attention.
References:
- Bruises ( n.d. ) retrieved September 9,2020 from https://medlineplus.gov/bruises.html
- Leukemia in Children ( n.d. ) retrieved September 21,2020 from https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=leukemia-90-P02324
- How to Tell if You Have Iron Deficiency Anemia ( 2020 ) retrieved September 21,2020 frpm https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-to-tell-if-you-have-iron-deficiency-anemia/
- Bruises ( 2020 ) retrieved September 21,2020 from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15235-bruises
- What’s a Bruise ( For Kids ) ( n.d. ) retrieved September 21,2020 from https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/bruise.html
- Bruises in Children and When Should I Worry ( n.d. ) retrieved September 21,2020 from https://www.rileychildrens.org/connections/bruises-in-children-whats-normal-and-when-to-worry
- What are Bruises ( 2019 ) retrieved September 21,2020 from https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/accidents-first-aid-and-treatments/what-are-bruises/
- Bruise: First Aid ( 2017. ) retrieved September 21,2020 from https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-bruise/basics/art-20056663
