Why do we bruise?

Wikipedia says that 'A bruise, also called a contusion or is sometimes referred by doctors as ecchymosis, is an injury to biological tissue[1] in which the capillaries are damaged, allowing blood to seep into the surrounding tissue.'

Bruises can look pretty ugly, but it is comforting to know that they are not as serious as they may sometimes look to be.

A bruise is usually caused by a rough bump or bang against something. It happens when the muscles, fibers and tissues under your skin are squashed roughly, but the skin above them does not break or cut.

Blood from these ruptured capillaries then escapes under the surface of the skin. It gets trapped here as it has no outlet by which it can escape. This is why most bruises are sensitive to touch and red or purple in color.