You are in Medical Library . Causes Damage to a blood vessel causes bleeding, which can range from minor to life-threatening. Considerations Direct pressure will stop most external bleeding.
Bruises usually result from a blow or a fall.
They are dark, discolored areas on the skin. Apply a cool compress to the area as soon as possible to reduce swelling . Do not put ice directly on the skin. The amount of blood is not a good way to judge the severity of an injury. The blood of people who take blood-thinning medication or who have a bleeding disorder such as hemophilia may not clot easily.