Understanding my skin
Knocks and falls often leave a mark! A goose egg that appears in a few minutes or a large bruise that changes colours are signs that can help you evaluate how a contusion has impacted your skin and know the right thing to do.
A lesion can look different depending on how rough the knock and where it occurred. Cosmetic and surgical procedures can also cause skin lesions.
An ecchymosis occurs when small vessels in the skin rupture after an impact. This bruising is often painful to the touch; the harder the knock, the more painful it is. The colour of an ecchymosis changes over time as the skin heals itself. The ecchymosis starts out red, then becomes black, blue and finally, green. At the end of the repair process, it is yellow/brown and remains that colour for one to two weeks. But it can take longer if the lesion is large.
An oedema — also called a bump — can appear rapidly after the knock.
A haematoma is the combination of an ecchymosis (bruise) and an oedema (bump). The first thing you should do is to apply compression and ice to the area impacted or to speed up elimination with targeted active ingredients before seeing a doctor, if necessary.
A dermatologist is the best resource for identifying skin disorders, finding the cause of your skin issues, and developing an adapted treatment. Please consult your dermatologist, doctor or pharmacist so that they may best advise you on your personal skin regimen.
Protect the injured area according to your doctor’s instructions.
It is important to cleanse the damaged area well. We recommend consulting a health care professional on how to properly cleanse the area.
Some over the counter creams can be formulated to help with the effects of a knock. They contain soothing ingredients or pain relieving actions. Ask your dermatologist or pharmacist if you can start using these creams right away and for how long.
