Suggest Treatment For Bruise On The Left Arm

Hello, A big bruise on your left arm happen when you get injury to an area of your skin and your small vessels in the skin are damaged.Over time, a bruise changes color as the blood under the skin breaks down, and as the bruise heals, it is natural. As the body heals and breaks down the hemoglobin, or compound that gives blood its red color, the bruise will change in color. Bruise often start with red color because fresh, oxygen-rich blood has newly pooled underneath the skin. After around 1 to 2 days, the blood begins to lose oxygen and change color. A bruise that is a few days old will often appear blue, purple, or even black. And in about 5 to 10 days, it turn a yellow or green color. These color come from compounds called biliverdin and bilirubin that body produces when it breaks down hemoglobin. After 10 to 14 days, it will turn to a shade of yellowish brown or light brown. When bruise has turn to a light brown, it will begin to fade. Most bruises will disappear without treatment within about two weeks. Bruises are not typically something you need to worry about. Often, they are a surface injury that requires no medical attention, and people can treat them at home. But in some case, you may want to seek medical attention like hematoma. Hematoma is a large collection of the blood that becomes trapped within tissues. It is often related to more significant trauma. Hematoma will stay the same color, firmness, and cause same level of pain even after several days. Some warning signs that you need medical attention include bruising that causes your arm become numb, lost of function of joint or muscle, growing bigger in size, broken bone. You need to see your doctor if the symptoms above are happening. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Heang Chan Raksmey, General & Family Physician