A hickey, often called a love bite, is a common mark resulting from intense sucking or biting on the skin. Medically, it is a form of bruise—a collection of blood trapped beneath the skin’s surface. Many people wonder about the safety and potential health implications of these temporary marks. This article examines the science behind hickeys, their risks, and how to manage them.
How a Hickey Forms
A hickey is a visible sign of minor trauma caused by negative pressure applied to the skin. The strong suction pulls the skin and underlying tissues upward, stressing the small, delicate blood vessels (capillaries) just beneath the surface. These capillaries are easily broken by the force of the suction.
When capillaries rupture, they leak small amounts of blood into the surrounding tissue. This pooling of blood creates the dark red or purple mark, clinically known as ecchymosis or petechiae. The mark initially appears reddish, reflecting the fresh blood that has leaked out.
As the body begins the natural healing process, the bruise changes color over time. The initial dark purple or blue fades to green, then yellow, as the body breaks down hemoglobin. Most hickeys resolve completely within 5 to 12 days, depending on the intensity of the suction and the individual’s healing capacity.
Are There Medical Dangers
For most people, hickeys are harmless and heal without complication, but two rare, yet documented, medical risks exist. The first involves the possibility of vascular injury from forceful suction, particularly when focused on the neck, which contains the carotid arteries supplying blood to the brain.
In extremely rare cases, vigorous pressure can cause a tear in the inner lining of the carotid artery, known as carotid artery dissection. This tear can lead to a blood clot within the artery. If the clot breaks free and travels to the brain, it can potentially cause a stroke. Although exceptionally uncommon, case reports detail instances of stroke following hickeys in young adults and teenagers.
A second risk involves the transmission of infectious diseases through broken skin. The most notable concern is the Herpes Simplex Virus type 1 (HSV-1), the common cause of oral herpes or cold sores. If the person giving the hickey has an active cold sore or is experiencing viral shedding, the virus can be passed through saliva or contact.
The superficial tissue damage from the hickey creates an entry point for the virus. HSV-1 is primarily transmitted through oral contact, and the hickey action provides direct skin-to-skin contact with potential fluid exchange. Precautions are advisable if there is any visible lesion or tingling sensation around the mouth.
Practical Steps for Quick Resolution
Since a hickey is essentially a bruise, immediate steps focus on slowing blood leakage and reducing swelling. For the first 24 to 48 hours, applying cold compression helps constrict the damaged blood vessels. Using a cold compress, chilled spoon, or ice pack wrapped in a cloth for 10 to 15 minutes can reduce the bruise’s size and darkness.
After the initial 48-hour period, the goal shifts to speeding up reabsorption of the trapped blood. Gentle application of warmth, using a warm washcloth or heating pad, helps dilate blood vessels and promotes increased blood flow. Gently massaging the area after applying warmth can also help disperse the pooled blood cells for faster clearance.
For aesthetic management, makeup is an effective way to conceal the discoloration while the area heals naturally. Color correction techniques work well, often involving a green-tinted corrector to neutralize the red and purple tones of the bruise. This should be followed by a concealer matching the natural skin tone, ensuring the makeup is blended smoothly at the edges.