Definition
The bruise on the finger is a collection of blood under the skin. The blood has leaked from a blood vessel and collects in the tissue of the finger. This causes the blood to coagulate and is gradually broken down without leaving an open wound. Bruises are usually harmless and heal quickly.
What are possible causes of bruising on the finger?
The causes of bruising are usually mechanical in nature. High pressure on the tissue and the blood vessels contained in it causes them to burst and blood escapes. This can be caused by blows (e.g. hammer blows) or by pressure loads (entrapment).
If blood thinners (e.g. heparin or Marcumar) are used, which restrict blood clotting, the bleeding and subsequent bruising is more pronounced. This effect also occurs in diseases such as haemophilia, which influence blood coagulation. There are also people in whom vascular injury occurs quickly.
This is called the Achenbach syndrome. The exact cause of the increased risk of bleeding is still controversial. A local weakness of the vascular wall is assumed.
Hormonal imbalances are also held responsible. It is conspicuous that middle-aged women are more frequently affected by Achenbach syndrome. Fingers on which a ring is worn are particularly affected, which can be explained by an increase in pressure in the blood vessels.
Bruise on finger for no reason
It can also happen that people find a bruise on their finger for no explainable reason. In this case the Achenbach syndrome may be present, in which a limited stability of the blood vessels is probably responsible for the bleeding. Frequently a bruise occurs here due to the carrying of a shopping bag.
The constant pressure on the finger causes a small vein (venule) to burst and the bruise develops. Diseases such as haemophilia also sometimes cause spontaneous bleeding, which can also occur on the finger. Symptoms.
Symptoms of bruising on the finger
Often affected persons feel a short, stabbing pain when the bleeding starts. This is due to the bursting of the vessel. In the case of a mechanical impact, the pain is of course also associated with the use of force.
Subsequently, a violet discolouration of the skin quickly forms, which can take up the entire finger or even part of the palm. The pain usually disappears after a short time. What remains is a slight pain under pressure or strain on the finger. It is also characteristic that the mobility of the finger may be restricted. Especially the bending of the finger can be made more difficult due to the increased pressure in the tissue.
What does it mean if the finger is black?
A black discolored finger is no longer expected to bruise. The colouring of the bruise does not usually reach a darker shade than a violet or blue tone. Especially when the black discolouration starts at the fingertip, but also generally when the finger is black, necrosis, i.e. the death of the tissue, can be assumed.
This occurs due to infections with bacteria or an undersupply of the tissue. It takes some time until the finger is really black and necrotic. Primary symptoms of an undersupply are cold and paleness of the finger. A doctor should be consulted urgently.
