Clumsy or not, we all happened to discover a blue on our arm or our leg without remembering at once. These colored spots, often painless, intrigue and sometimes worry. Is it always a simple little accident in everyday life or can it reveal a more serious problem?
Blue, what is it really?
“”What is commonly known as a “blue ‘is actually a bruise, a skin lesion corresponding to a thumb up under the skin”recalled Dr. Johanna Deniel, general practitioner in one of our articles. Concretely, a small blood vessel breaks after a shock and lets go from the blood, which is lodged in the tissues. It is this standing blood that gives the famous blue-violacée shade.
In most cases, these bruises appear after a benign trauma: a fall, a bump in a piece of furniture (the famous corner of the table), a somewhat intense sporting activity. They absorb themselves in two to three weeks.
Why do some make Blues more easily?
“Make Blues easily is often benign”underlines Dr Gérald Kierzek, emergency doctor. “The most common cause is the fragility of the small blood vessels, linked to age, fine skin or minimal trauma that we forget.” In other words, we are sometimes responsible for our Blues … without even realizing it.
But other factors also promote their appearance:
- Certain drugs such as anticoagulants, aspirin, corticosteroids, or even certain food supplements, weaken the vessels or fluidify blood;
- A deficiency in vitamins, in particular vitamin C (which strengthens vascular walls) or vitamin K (essential for coagulation), can also explain these repeated bruises;
- Intense physical activity causes microtrauma that sometimes leaves visible traces.
“In these situations, blue is not worrying in itself, but you have to know how to interpret it in context”insists Dr. Kierzek.
When the Blues appear without blow …
It is when the Blues appear spontaneously that you have to ask questions. “”A blue without obvious cause must alert “warns Dr. Kierzek.
“If there are many, very large, cover large areas, are accompanied by other bleeding (noses, gums, abundant rules), or occur with symptoms such as fatigue, fever, swelling or confusion, you have to consult quickly.”
Among the possible causes, some are urgent:
- A drop in the number of plates in the blood (thrombocytopenia), sometimes linked to a blood disease or certain treatments;
- Coagulation disorders such as hemophilia or Willebrand’s disease;
- Liver disease or hematological pathology (like leukemia);
- Venous insufficiency, frequent in women, where fragile veins promote the appearance of bruises accompanied by heavy or swollen legs.
“A blue may seem trivial, but it can also be the first visible sign of a deeper health problem”warns Dr. Kierzek.
The right reflexes to have
If blue is benign, some simple measures can help relieve:
- Apply cold from the appearance to limit inflammation;
- Raise the reached member;
- Take an analgesic like paracetamol in case of pain.
Dr. Kierzek, however, recalls an essential rule: “If a blue appears at the head, abdomen or around the eyes, you must systematically ask for medical advice. In children, it is also a sign to take very seriously.”
“Never trivialize your Blues”, concludes Dr. Kierzek. “The body often sends signals that you have to know how to listen to”.