Definition of Bruise:

A bruise is an area of skin discoloration. A bruise occurs when small blood vessels break and leak their contents into the soft tissue beneath the skin.

Considerations:

There are three types of bruises:

1. Subcutaneous -- beneath the skin,
2. Intramuscular -- within the belly of the underlying muscle
3. Periosteal -- bone bruise

Bruises can last from days to months, with the bone bruise being the most severe and painful.

Causes:

Bruises are often caused by falls, sports injuries, car accidents, or blows received by other people or objects.

If you take a blood thinner, like aspirin or warfarin (Coumadin), you are likely to bruise more easily.