A burst blood vessel appears suddenly as a vibrant red mark. Often resulting from minor incidents, these temporary marks raise questions about their nature and duration. Understanding them helps demystify their appearance and typical healing process.
Understanding Burst Blood Vessels
A burst blood vessel occurs when a small, fragile blood vessel ruptures, causing blood to leak into surrounding tissues. This leakage creates visible discoloration. The medical term for bleeding under the skin is ecchymosis, essentially a bruise.
One common type is a subconjunctival hemorrhage, a bright red spot on the white part of the eye. This happens when tiny blood vessels in the conjunctiva, the clear membrane covering the eye’s surface, break. Similarly, a bruise under the skin forms when small capillaries are damaged, allowing blood to collect beneath the surface. The skin remains unbroken, trapping the leaked blood.
How Long Do They Last?
The duration a burst blood vessel lasts varies by location and severity. A subconjunctival hemorrhage, in the eye, typically resolves within one to two weeks. Larger spots might take up to two to three weeks to clear. During healing, the bright red spot may transition to a yellowish tint as the body reabsorbs the blood.
Bruises on the skin generally follow a similar, though often longer, healing timeline. Mild bruises fade within a few days to a week. Moderate bruises typically last one to two weeks, while severe bruises can take several weeks or longer to heal. These skin bruises also change color over time, progressing from reddish-purple to bluish-purple, then green or yellow, before returning to normal skin tone. Bone bruises, a more serious type of bruise, can take months to heal.
Factors Affecting Healing Duration
Several factors influence how long a burst blood vessel takes to heal. The size and severity of the rupture directly impact recovery time; larger ruptures involving more blood leakage or deeper tissue damage take longer to resolve. The location also plays a role, as areas with greater blood flow, like the face, tend to heal faster than areas with less circulation, such as the legs.
Individual health status significantly affects healing capacity. Older individuals may experience longer healing times because their skin becomes thinner and loses some protective fatty layers, making vessels more fragile. Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes or clotting disorders, can impair healing and prolong a bruise. Additionally, medications like blood thinners can increase bruising and extend healing times by reducing blood clotting ability.
When to Consult a Doctor
While most burst blood vessels are harmless and resolve without intervention, certain signs warrant medical attention. Consult a healthcare provider if a bruise is accompanied by persistent pain, significant swelling that does not improve, or a painful lump. Unexplained bruising that occurs frequently, is very large, or appears without a clear injury should also be evaluated by a doctor.
For burst blood vessels in the eye, seek medical advice if there are changes in vision, eye pain, discharge, or if the hemorrhage recurs frequently. These symptoms could indicate a more serious underlying condition. Additionally, if a burst blood vessel appears after a head or eye injury, or with other concerning symptoms like headache, weakness, or fever, prompt medical evaluation is important.
Managing Burst Blood Vessels at Home
For minor burst blood vessels, such as common bruises or small eye hemorrhages, several self-care measures can help manage discomfort and support healing. Applying a cold compress or ice pack wrapped in a cloth to a bruise immediately after injury can help reduce swelling and limit blood leakage by constricting vessels. Do this for 15-20 minutes at a time, several times a day, for the first day or two.
Elevating the bruised area above heart level, if possible, can also help minimize swelling. For eye issues, avoiding eye strain and refraining from rubbing the eye can prevent further irritation. Over-the-counter pain relievers can be used for discomfort. After the initial 48 hours, applying warmth to a bruise can increase blood flow and assist the body in reabsorbing the trapped blood. Patience is important, as the body naturally breaks down and reabsorbs the blood over time.