What is a bruise?

A bruise is caused when tiny blood vessels (capillaries) break or burst under the skin often caused by a bump, knock or fall. When these capillaries get damaged, blood seeps in to the tissue area around it — hence the purple colored appearance of a bruise. There are five stages to a bruise. A fresh bruise is usually bluish purple, after a day or two it will turn blue. The bruise will turn brown to green, then yellow, and finally back to the normal skin color as it heals.  

Some people are naturally more likely to bruise than others such as the elderly as their skin is thinner and the tissue underneath more fragile. If you suddenly start to bruise for no obvious reason it’s best to seek medical advice from your heath care practitioner.