What is Ecchymosis?

Isn't it true that it's only called a bruise if it's from trauma? So when you bump into something, or there is blunt force trauma then you have a bruise. Ecchymosis is not caused by trauma, though it looks the same. Purpura, ecchymosis, and petichiae are not bruises in that they are not caused by blunt force trauma.

I had a local trauma on my right foot. The ecchymosis thing has regressed, but still some remains about a year later now. It hasn't faded completely, and if I walk very fast, I will feel pain at the site of the ecchymosis.

I don't take it seriously because I know it will fade, but it has been a year and there is still pain. I'm worried!

A fall made my whole leg turn black, from blood gathering under the skin. The open part of the wound has almost healed, but the bruised part still remains. What can I do to speed up the process?

@Oceana - Try taking vitamin K. If you have a vitamin K deficiency, your blood might be unable to clot normally, and you need to clot in order to prevent bruising.

Supplements are good, but eating actual foods that contain vitamin K is better. Vitamin K-rich foods include cabbage and leafy greens like broccoli and spinach.

It could also be possible that you do not have enough vitamin C in your diet. You could take a multivitamin, but also eat citrus fruits like oranges, papaya, and strawberries. Drinking orange juice will help you as well.

I started eating a more vitamin-rich diet just because I felt lousy most of the time. Now I feel much better, and maybe the things I learned about vitamins will help you.

I went to my family reunion last weekend, and I had multiple bruises on my arms and legs, just from bumping into chairs or the edges of other furniture. I got very embarrassed when my paranoid cousin asked me right in front of my husband if he had been abusing me.

I don’t ever want people to think that. Does anyone know of any vitamins I could take or foods I could eat to prevent getting bruises so easily? Iron supplements make me sick, so I can’t take those. I’d hate to have to wear long sleeves and jeans all summer to prevent suspicions of abuse.

@shell4life - Try applying freshly crushed parsley leaves. I have read that parsley is supposed to encourage healing and that it can help blue and black bruises fade away in a day or two.

Crush them immediately before spreading them on your bruises. Use either bandages or gauze and tape to hold the leaves on the bruise. Leave them on until you shower. After the shower, dry the bruised area off and apply freshly crushed leaves again. Hopefully, you will be clear of doggy abuse marks by the time you arrive at your destination.

I have two playful, rather large dogs that keep me bruised constantly. They are enthusiastic and play rather rough. Is there some type of herbal remedy that will help bruises heal more quickly?

I will be going on vacation in a few weeks. I have hired a dogsitter to come in a few days before I leave, both so the dogs can get used to her and so I can have a few days without getting any new bruises. I would love to know if there is something I could apply to my existing bruises during those two days.

Wow, I had no idea these had a special name. I bruise somewhat easily, and used to have big bruises all the time. When I started eating better and getting more iron, though, it became a little less frequent. I never made the connection before now, though, between the two. I guess getting more iron would make my blood cells function better. Obvious, probably, but I hadn't thought of it before this.