When you are looking at bruises, whether they are on yourself or someone that you love, it is important to remember that there are different, specific types of bruises out there. If you know a little more about the different kinds of bruises there are, you are likely going to be much more aware of available treatments and what needs to happen. Take some time and really consider how much you know about bruises and how best to treat them. If you know a little about how mild or severe a bruise is, you are going to have a much better idea of how best to treat it.

First, consider where the damage actually is. A subcutaneous bruise is one that happens just beneath the skin and will generally be relatively mild. On the other hand, an intramuscular bruise occurs within the belt of the muscle underneath and can do some more serious damage, while a periosteal bruise refers to a bone bruise, which can be extremely painful.

When rating bruises, medical professionals may use the following scale to denote the severity:

0- a light bruise with no damage at all 1- a less than moderate bruise with a minimal amount of damage done 2- a moderate bruise showing some damage 3- a serious bruise with the possibility of permanent or impermanent harm 4- an extremely serious bruise with the possibility of permanent or impermanent damage 5- a critical bruise containing a risk of death

With a light bruise, you may feel a bit of pain, whether it happens right away or is delayed. An inflammation may occur due to the fact that histamines have been released. Even after the capillaries have been repaired, blood can seep out and make the bruise look darker, and it generally takes about two weeks for a light bruise to heal, while a darker bruise may take longer. Bruises that are mild will tend to need minimal amounts of treatment, though depending on where the bruise is, you may need to do some stretching exercises as it heals so that the muscles underneath don’t become stiff and stubborn.

With bruises that are classified as moderate or severe, however, you could discover that you may have to deal with somewhat more severe complications. Additional bleeding may take place, and this could cause swelling that can cut off the blood flow to the tissues. The blunt trauma that is the foundation of bruises of this severity can result in damage to internal organs or bones, and if the trauma is severe enough, it could result in concussion, coma and even death. If this occurs, emergency treatment becomes essential.

Fortunately enough, most of us only have to deal with light bruises in our day to day lives. Take some time and make sure that your bruises, no matter what their severity, get treated appropriately.