Bruises (Contusions): Types, First Aid Awareness & Healing Timeline (Canada)

A bruise (contusion) forms when tiny blood vessels under the skin break after an impact or injury, causing discoloration and tenderness. Bruises are common in sports, recreation, day-to-day bumps, and workplace activities involving injury, tools or equipment.

First Aid & Workplace Relevance

Bruises are frequent in sports programs, schools, physical jobs, and active households. Awareness helps people respond calmly, support comfort, and recognize when medical assessment might be useful.

Scenario

During a gym class, a student collided with a teammate and developed a bruise on their thigh. A trained first aid rescuer checked for swelling and movement, suggested resting from running for the day, and applied a cool compress. The bruise changed from bluish to greenish over the next week before fading.

Types of Bruises

Bruises can affect different layers of tissue:

• Subcutaneous: beneath the skin

• Intramuscular: within muscle tissue

• Periosteal: over the bone (often more painful and long-lasting)

Healing times vary depending on depth and location.

Symptoms & Appearance

Bruises often involve:

• Pain or tenderness

• Swelling over the area

• Blue or purple discoloration that fades to green/yellow with time

Some bruises appear immediately; others appear hours later.

First Aid Awareness (Non-Prescriptive)

Public first aid education frequently highlights:

• Rest of the affected area to minimize irritation

• Cool compresses (for short intervals) soon after injury

• Elevation when practical to reduce swelling

• Monitoring movement if located near a joint

Warm compresses are sometimes used later in the healing phase, depending on comfort and advice from healthcare providers.

Bruises typically heal on their own, though discomfort can last days to weeks.

Healing Timeline

Bruise coloration may progress from:
Blue/Purple → Green → Yellow → Faded
Timeframes vary depending on depth, age, nutrition, medications, and activity level.

When to Seek Medical Assessment

Healthcare assessment may be considered for bruises that:

• Are unusually large without clear injury

• Occur frequently or easily

• Cause difficulty walking or using a limb

• Follow a high-impact injury (e.g., sport, fall, vehicle collision)

• Do not improve over time

Frequent bruising can sometimes relate to medical or nutritional factors and can be evaluated by a clinician.

FAQ

Can bruises be serious?
Most are mild, but deeper bruises or those from major impacts can take longer and may need assessment.

Do bruises always hurt?
Many do, but some are painless and noticed only when discoloration appears.

Can nutrition affect bruising?
Yes. Low iron or other nutritional factors can influence bruising in some individuals.

Are children more prone to bruising?
Active children often bump into objects during play, making bruises common. Healthcare assessment may be helpful if bruising is excessive or unexplained.

How long do bruises last?
Superficial bruises may fade within days; deeper bruises may take weeks.

Educational Note

This material supports public and workplace understanding of bruises and first aid awareness. It emphasizes calm decision-making and encourages medical evaluation when symptoms are unusual or persistent.