Bruises are caused when the small capillaries under the skin burst releasing blood into the skin. Bruising can occur for all manner of play including anything which breaks the skin (needles / knives), Blunt force trauma (whips, canes floggers punching), Falling, prolonged pressure on one area (kneeling for a long time.)

The main symptoms are pain, swelling, and skin discolouration. The bruise begins as a pink/ red colour that can be very painful to touch. It id often difficult to use muscles that have been bruised, for some time.

First Aid for Bruises

• Apply an ice pack to reduce swelling and to relieve pain. The sooner you do so, the smaller the bruise will be. Make an ice pack by wrapping crushed ice or frozen peas in a damp cloth. Don’t put it directly onto the skin as this could cause damage. Apply the ice pack for 15 minutes every two hours for the first 24 hours. After 48 hours, apply a heat pad a few times a day to dilate the blood vessels to speed up the absorption of the bruise. Do not place ice directly on to a bruise. If the bruise is on the leg or arm, elevate the limb to limit more bruising and swelling. Arnica oil or witch hazel ointment speeds up healing. Pineapple in the diet helps to speed up healing and prevents easy bruising. * If you need a pain killer, take Paracetamol. Do not use aspirin or ibuprofen for the first 24 hours.

See a doctor if:

• The pain is severe or limits normal movement. The bruise occurs on the abdomen or loin and is due to a high-speed fall or other traumatic accident. There may be less obvious underlying injuries. There is a bruise behind the ear following a head injury. It may be a sign of a skull fracture. There are signs of infection. Bruises occur without any apparent reason. Repeated, spontaneous bruises may indicate a blood problem or due to certain medications * A bruise does not start to fade within a week