Bruises can develop on the breasts, just as they can on other parts of the body. While often minor and temporary, breast bruises can cause concern due to the area’s sensitivity. Understanding their common causes and typical progression can provide reassurance. In some instances, however, a breast bruise may warrant medical attention.
Common Causes of Breast Bruising
Minor impacts and accidental trauma are common causes of breast bruising. This includes bumping into objects, falls, or minor sports injuries. Such incidents can rupture small blood vessels beneath the skin, leading to discoloration.
Medical procedures can also cause temporary bruising on the breasts. Following biopsies, breast augmentation, or reduction surgeries, bruising is a normal part of the healing process. Mammograms can sometimes lead to mild bruising due to the necessary compression of breast tissue.
Ill-fitting undergarments, particularly bras that are too tight or have digging underwires, may contribute to bruising. Constant pressure or friction can damage capillaries, resulting in superficial bruises. Vigorous physical activities involving repetitive motion or minor chest impacts can also lead to localized bruising.
Certain medications can increase bruising susceptibility. Blood thinners, such as aspirin, warfarin, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), impair the blood’s clotting ability. This makes it easier for blood vessels to leak blood under the skin, causing more pronounced or frequent bruising, even from minor bumps.
What Bruises Look Like and How They Heal
A bruise forms when small blood vessels, called capillaries, break beneath the skin, allowing blood to leak into surrounding tissues. Initially, a fresh bruise appears red, blue, or purple as deoxygenated blood collects. This discoloration is often accompanied by tenderness or mild swelling.
Over subsequent days, the bruise undergoes color changes as the body breaks down and reabsorbs the trapped blood. It may turn green within five to ten days, indicating biliverdin, a byproduct of hemoglobin breakdown. The bruise then often turns yellow or brownish as bilirubin, another breakdown product, becomes dominant.
The healing timeline for a breast bruise is generally similar to bruises elsewhere. Most simple bruises resolve within one to two weeks. However, the exact duration can vary depending on the bruise’s size, the initial injury’s extent, and an individual’s healing capacity.
When to Consult a Doctor
Consult a healthcare professional if a breast bruise appears without clear explanation or known injury. Unexplained bruising could indicate an underlying issue requiring medical evaluation. If a bruise persists beyond two to three weeks or worsens, medical advice should be sought.
Certain accompanying symptoms warrant prompt medical attention with a breast bruise. These include new lumps or changes in breast tissue texture. Any noticeable skin changes, such as persistent redness, “orange peel” dimpling, or skin thickening, should also be evaluated.
Nipple changes, such as discharge or inversion, combined with bruising, are reasons to seek medical advice. Severe pain or swelling that does not subside, or signs of infection like warmth and fever, also necessitate a doctor’s visit. Bruises that are unusually large, rapidly growing, or frequent without significant trauma may suggest an underlying blood disorder or medication-related issue.
While rare, persistent breast changes, including redness and swelling that might be mistaken for a bruise or infection, can be signs of inflammatory breast cancer. Any persistent or unexplained breast changes, particularly those that do not improve, should always be thoroughly evaluated by a healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis.