Prognosis of bruising
Depending on its severity, a bruise can remain for up to several weeks. However, the pain usually decreases so much within the first week that it is no longer noticed. Only the discoloration of the skin then remains, which many patients find annoying.
The resorption of the blood can be accelerated with an ointment containing heparin if the bruise has to disappear soon for cosmetic reasons. Depending on the location, size and cause of the haematoma, a bruise may become dangerous. A thrombosis is a blood clot that blocks the blood flow in a vessel.
The risk of thrombosis is posed by large bruises that spread further and further. Equally dangerous are bruises in patients with blood coagulation disorders. In case of doubt, one should go to the family doctor and have a look at the hematoma.
Duration of bruising
Depending on the size and location of the bruise, it can heal faster or last a little longer. This depends on various factors. On the one hand, the site of the bruise determines the duration, as bruises that occur in areas with less blood circulation usually take longer to heal.
On the other hand, in places with good blood circulation, such as the lip, it can take much longer. In general, it can be said that a bruise can last between one and three weeks, depending on where it has developed. The pain usually subsides much earlier, but the body needs up to three weeks to break down the bruise and transport it away.
When a bruise occurs, the first thing that appears is a red coloration. A small capillary is ruptured and blood leaks into the surrounding tissue areas. The area then turns dark red-blue as the blood begins to clot.
A brown-black coloration indicates that the body is beginning to break down and transport the hemoglobin. This is followed by a dark green coloration, which is replaced by a yellowish-brown coloration. In these steps the blood continues to be broken down and transported away until there are no more residues at the site of the bruise.
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