A skin contusion (bruise) is a closed, blunt injury that ruptures small subcutaneous vessels without breaking the skin. Blood leaks into surrounding tissues, producing a predictable sequence of local and sometimes systemic changes. Immediate pain and tendernessNociceptors are activated at the moment of impact; the area is sore to touch and may throb with movement or pressure. Colour evolutionErythema appears within minutes, followed by reddish-purple or dark-blue discoloration as blood accumulates. Over 5–10 days the pigment breaks down, passing through blue, green, yellow and finally light-brown before fading . Swelling and indurationPlasma exudation and blood clot formation create a palpable,... Learn more