Contusions

• A contusion (kun-to-shun) is a bump that appears under the skin after an injury has taken place. This bump is fluid that collects underneath the skin. A hematoma on the other hand is also a bump that occurs after an injury, but this bump is caused by blood that collects beneath the skin. In both cases this may be referred to as a bruise and it may take 2 or 3 weeks to go away.

• Causes: The most common causes of bruises are bumping into things, falling, being kicked or being hit.

• Signs and Symptoms: The bleeding under the skin causes the skin to look black and blue after the injury, this may also be referred to as ecchymosis (ek-e-mo-sis). As the bruise heals you may experience some pain or swelling and a color change in your skin from purple to green and then to yellow.

• Care: Apply ice on the injured area, and if possible, lift it above the level of your heart. By doing this the amount of pain and swelling to the injured area will diminish. To slow the bleeding you may wrap the injury with an ace wrap.

However, if you scratched or tore some skin, a tetanus shot may be needed along with some antibiotic medicine. For this, you may take acetaminophen or ibuprofen which will help you ease the pain. If you are allergic to asprin, do not take ibuprofen.