Treatment and prevention In most cases, treatment for bruising is minimal. The body normally absorbs the leaked blood and the bruise will go away on its own, but it may take anywhere from a couple of weeks to several months for the marks to disappear on senior citizens.

How long will bruise stay purple?

When you first get a bruise, it’s kind of reddish as the blood appears under the skin. Within 1 or 2 days, the hemoglobin (an iron-containing substance that carries oxygen) in the blood changes and your bruise turns bluish-purple or even blackish. After 5 to 10 days, the bruise turns greenish or yellowish.

How do you treat bruises in the elderly?

Blood leaks into tissues under the skin and causes the black-and-blue color. As bruises (contusions) heal, usually within 2 to 4 weeks, they often turn colors, including purplish black, reddish blue, or yellowish green.

What causes purple spots on elderly skin?

Aging skin is thought to be the most common cause of senile purpura. As the body ages, the skin becomes thinner and more delicate. Over time, exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays weakens the connective tissues that hold the blood vessels in their place.

Whats the longest a bruise should last?

Bone bruises are the most serious. It can take months for a bruise to fade, but most last about two weeks. They start off a reddish color, and then turn bluish-purple and greenish-yellow before returning to normal.

Can a bruise last for months?

Bruises can last from days to months and vary from mild to severe. Bone bruises are among the most serious and painful. They usually heal in a couple of months, although larger bone bruises may take longer.

Why is my bruise getting more purple?

Within a day or so of impact, your bruise will darken to blue or purple. This is caused by both low oxygen supplies and swelling at the bruising site. As a result, hemoglobin, which is typically red, begins a gradual change to blue. This darkening can last through the fifth day after injury.

Does senile purpura go away?

Senile purpura is not dangerous and is completely benign, but unless changes are made, the condition is likely to be recurring. Wearing sunblock can help protect your skin from further sun damage. Most purpuric lesions last between one and three weeks, though the discoloration may be permanent after they fade.

Do elderly bruise easily?

Share this article: As they age, seniors experience physical changes inside and out. Aging skin bruises easily, which can be sensitive and painful. Bruises, also called contusions, occur when trauma damages or ruptures tiny blood vessels beneath the skin.

Why does my elderly mother bruise so easily?

According to the Mayo Clinic, skin becomes thinner with age, resulting in a smaller barrier between skin and the blood vessels that burst to cause bruising. Skin also loses some of its fatty layer as the body ages, and this fatty layer cushions blood vessels, allowing them to absorb impact rather than burst.

How long do purpura spots last?

Most purpuric lesions last between one and three weeks, though the discoloration may be permanent after they fade. You can talk to your dermatologist about how to reduce their appearance.

How long does it take for blood under the skin to go away?

A hematoma is not a bruise. It is a pooling of blood outside of the blood vessels deeper in the skin than a bruise occurs. Trauma is the most common cause of a hematoma. Depending on the cause, it can take anywhere from 1 to 4 weeks for a hematoma to go away.

How do you know if a bruise is serious?

See your doctor or visit State Urgent Care right away if you notice any of the following symptoms:

1. Abnormal bleeding in the gums, frequent nose bleeds or blood in the urine or stool.
2. Frequent very large, very painful bruises.
3. Numbness or weakness anywhere in the injured limb.
4. Swelling around the bruised skin.

How do you treat a deep bruise?

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1. Rest the bruised area, if possible.
2. Ice the bruise with an ice pack wrapped in a towel. Leave it in place for 10 to 20 minutes. Repeat several times a day for a day or two as needed.
3. Compress the bruised area if it is swelling, using an elastic bandage. Don’t make it too tight.
4. Elevate the injured area.

How do you speed up the healing of a bruised bone?

Treatment for a bone bruise may include:

1. Resting the bone or joint.
2. Applying ice to the area several times a day.
3. Raising the injury above the level of your heart to reduce swelling.
4. Taking medicine to reduce pain and swelling.
5. Wearing a brace or other device to limit movement, if needed.