Bruising
By the AllHealth UK editorial teamLast reviewed Next review due Compiled from published NHS and NICE guidance. Not reviewed by a clinician.
Key facts
A bruise forms when small blood vessels under the skin break due to impact, causing a blue-purple mark that gradually changes colour as it heals. Easy or unexplained bruising can sometimes indicate an underlying condition.
Most often affects:Elderly adultsWomenPeople on blood thinnersActive children
What commonly causes bruising
- Minor injury, bump, or knock — the most common cause
- Ageing — skin thins and blood vessels become more fragile
- Blood-thinning medication (aspirin, warfarin, clopidogrel)
- Vigorous exercise or contact sports
- A low platelet count or an inherited bleeding disorder — suspect this if you bruise from knocks you don't remember, bleed from your gums or nose, or have heavy periods
- Excessive alcohol consumption — damages liver and affects clotting
What helps at home
- Apply an ice pack wrapped in cloth for 15–20 minutes as soon as possible
- Elevate the bruised area above heart level if possible
- Take paracetamol for pain. If you are on blood thinners such as warfarin or a DOAC, or you bruise very easily for no clear reason, speak to your GP before taking any anti-inflammatory painkiller.
- Eat foods rich in vitamin C (citrus, peppers) and vitamin K (leafy greens)
- Protect the area from further bumps
When to get help
These three levels are different. Getting the level right is the single most useful thing this page can do for you.
Non-urgent advice: see a GP if
- Bruises appear without any obvious cause or from the lightest knock
- Bruises are unusually large, painful, or in unusual places
- You bruise easily and also get frequent nosebleeds, bleeding gums or heavy periods
- A bruise has not started to fade after 2 weeks
- Bleeding disorders run in your family
Urgent advice: ask for an urgent GP appointment or call 111 if
- A bruise is very painful and swollen and the limb feels tight or numb
- Bruises have appeared all over your body for no reason over a few days
- You bruise easily and take a blood thinner such as warfarin or apixaban
- You have bruising with bleeding gums, or a nosebleed that will not stop
- A large bruise has come up after a fall and is still spreading
Immediate action required: call 999 or go to A&E if
- Bruising after a head injury with confusion, drowsiness, or vomiting
- Large area of bruising after a significant accident (possible internal bleeding)
What to do next
Not sure whether bruising needs a doctor? These are your options, cheapest and fastest first.
Questions people ask about bruising
Reducing the chance of it coming back
- Remove tripping hazards at home — especially for elderly relatives
- If on blood thinners, be extra careful with bumps and falls
- Wear protective equipment during contact sports
Conditions this can be part of
Listed alphabetically, not by likelihood — this page does not tell you which one you have.
- Leukaemia
- Thrombocytopenia
- Vitamin deficiency
- Von Willebrand disease
Sources and further reading
This page was written from the following published guidance. All links checked 26 August 2026.
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