Bruising itches – Is that normal?
Normally a bruise does not cause itching. However, if, for example, an insect is responsible for the bruise, itching can occur in addition to coloration of the tissue and pain. An allergic reaction can also cause itching. Products such as arnica, heparin, Voltaren or natural household remedies can also cause an allergic reaction. If no cause for the itching can be identified, the family doctor should be consulted unless the symptoms subside.
What is an encapsulated bruise?
Encapsulated bruises occur, for example, when the haematoma sits deep in the muscle tissue and is not broken down. The bruise eventually encapsulates itself and calcifies over time. An encapsulated bruise can remain as a hardened structure in the muscle tissue and, depending on its location, may even cause pain or impair muscle and/or joint function.
A possible cause of hardening of a haematoma is a location of the effusion deep within the muscle tissue. Deep-seated, stubborn bruises can sometimes be difficult to reduce. Over time, they encapsulate themselves and eventually calcify.
The hardened bruises then remain in the tissue and can cause pain or disrupted muscle and joint functions. If a bruise impairs muscle or joint function, the haematoma should be removed to avoid late effects and complications of the muscles and joints. Surgical interventions or shock wave therapy are possible to mobilize and finally remove the components of the effusion. In summary, it can be said that a hardened effusion can be quite disabling and dangerous, depending on its location. However, there are various surgical or conservative procedures, for example shock wave therapy, to heal the hardened bruise.
Diagnosis of bruising
Bruises on the thigh or knee are gaze diagnoses that normally do not require further clarification. A bruise in the eye can be examined by the ophthalmologist using a slit lamp. The eye is brightly illuminated, which enables the doctor to examine the eye using a combined mirror and lens system.
At the knee, in addition to the external examination, a mirroring may also be performed, in which the knee joint is examined endoscopically. However, this examination, also called “arthroscopy“, is much more time-consuming than the examination of the eye and also involves considerable risks. Fortunately, most bruises are harmless and heal by themselves within a few days without leaving any traces. However, under certain conditions, one should go to a doctor with a bruise. For example, if: the bruise is on a joint the bruise is spreading and pressing on other tissue (compartment syndrome) the bruise occurs together with open wounds the bruise is accompanied by severe pain and swelling (fractures, torn ligaments or similar) a disorder of blood clotting, haemophilia (bleeding disorder) or von Willebrand- snydrome
- The bruise is on a joint
- The bruise spreads and presses on other tissue (compartment syndrome)
- The bruise occurs together with open wounds
- The bruising is accompanied by severe pain and swelling (fractures, torn ligaments or similar)
- There is a disorder of blood coagulation, haemophilia (hemophilia) or von Willebrand–Snydrome
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