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Causes of Broken Blood Vessels

Broken Blood Vessels

  • Causes of broken blood vessels are usually from minor trauma
  • There are two forms of ruptured blood vessels: fairly common purplish welt and a blood spot with the appearance of a red spreading of cells
  • Broken blood vessels usually repair themselves within 2 or 3 weeks


Broken blood vessels are often a cosmetic problem. They can be caused by minor trauma such as bumps, bangs and bruises which result in the rupturing of blood vessels. This can then leave a bruise visible on the skin. Blood vessels may also break due to the aging process of the skin, often in the facial area, or they may break internally.

Broken blood vessels can be seen easily because they tend to lie under a layer of transparent skin. Blood vessels can break because of the effects of injury or trauma. They may be bright red or dark in appearance, and are usually prominently visible under the outermost layer of the skin. Broken blood vessels tend to cause minor pain upon contact, and might go unnoticed if it were not but for the fact that they tend to be visibly prominent. Minor skin trauma and broken blood vessels can occur anywhere on the body, including on the sclera of the eyes.

There are two forms of broken blood vessels. The first is fairly common bruising which can appear like a purplish welt. The other is a blood spot which can appear under the skin and has the appearance of a red spreading of cells, just under the skin. Bruising tends to be the result of trauma, while blood spots might be caused by malnutrition, or disease, or a number of other causes.

The healing time for broken blood vessels depends largely on their location on the body. Commonly, minor injuries to the skin repair themselves fully after 2 or 3 weeks has passed after the original trauma that caused them. There are some treatments that can help to speed up the process of recovery. For example, after the trauma has occurred, if you apply pressure to the area, it can help to prevent further blood vessel damage in the area. A cold compress would have a similar effect. However, in general, broken blood vessels tend to heal themselves without the need for treatment. However, blood spots may take longer to heal, if they do so at all.

Broken blood vessels may occur without a person having any recollection of trauma. This is often the case for people who bruise easily, for example, the elderly. The skin loses flexibility, and bruises more easily with age. Broken blood vessels are also more common among women than men. Although broken blood vessels are more common as we get older, blood spots can happen at any age, and their causes are harder to identify.

People who have broken blood vessels of a permanent nature can seek help from a dermatologist. They can inject areas of broken blood vessels with medications. This will promote the shrinkage and/or disappearance of the broken blood vessels. An alternative procedure is laser treatment which can offer excellent results without the pain of injections.

Most broken blood vessels are minor in nature and do not present any significant health risks. However, broken blood vessels may occur anywhere within the body, and may have serious consequences without warning. For example, broken blood vessels can occur in the brain and may cause symptoms such as double vision, speech disruption, weakness, numbness, tingling, and headaches. If you are in doubt, particularly after trauma, see your doctor.

The information supplied in this article is not to be considered as medical advice and is for educational purposes only.

30 Responses to “Causes of Broken Blood Vessels”

  1. 1
    Shelby Says:
    i just dont know folks
  2. 2
    Joanne Says:
    I'm 13, female, and I have them on the outer part of my upper thighs and they cover alot of that area of skin. Also I have even found some near my knee. And I also have lots on my shoulder blades and back. They havent gone away after a few weeks, they seem to be permanent. I consider myself a quite active person, but sometimes after I do sports I get a sore back. Could this be related to the blood vessels I can see in my shoulders and back?What should I do, after all I'm only young and is this normal? Also are there any home remedies? thanx in advance
  3. 3
    GinB Says:
    I was looking into broken/busted blood vessels because I had one this last week. I had been moving furniture, but I did not recall ever hitting the top of my foot on or with anything. I'm positive this happened on it's own, because the type of pain the PREcedes this bruising. I get them in my fingers and hands sometimes, but not usually anywhere else. This one on my foot left a BIG bruise, going from the top of my foot about an inch from my ankle/leg, spreading nearly to my toes and down the side of my foot about 3/4" from the side of the bottom of my foot. Because of this one on my foot, I had started to think maybe I should worry about this. Then my husband said 'I hope you don't have an anuerysm in your brain'. Oh my gosh, thanks sweetie! lol. I wasn't concerned about having a bleed in my head until he said that, but is it possible? I would suppose so. I hesitate to go to the doc. about a bruise, but should I go about KNOWING when a blood vessel is going to burst and it happening WITHOUT the least bit of trauma? I'm not horribly concerned, but after reading postings, I may try more citrus fruits (which I HAVE been eating more of while dieting), and Calcium Fluoride. Good luck to those of you that have this condition worse then I do!!
  4. 4
    sean Says:
    i took a bad fall earlier today, crearing red blood spots on my lower femur. i am 13, and a guy.
  5. 5
    Josh Says:
    i have a purplish bruising about 4 inches long and slim on my right shoulder. it was not there before i went to sleep and when i woke up it was there. i was not hit nor did i bump into anything to cause this. not to worried about it but would like to know if its somethin i should get checked out.
  6. 6
    Ash Says:
    Whenever i vomit whether it be after a big night of too many drinks or food poisening blood vessels burst on my face and in both my eyes. It has been so bad it sometimes goes black... looks like ive been bashed. Ive been to the docs about this and all they say is there is nothing that you can do about it you just have to wait for it to go away. This has been happening for most of my life. Last time i had a stomach bug which was two years ago i had it for four months so you can imagine what i looked like. Whenever this happens i dont go out in public until it can be covered with make up. Yes it gets so bad that makeup doesnt even cover it.
  7. 7
    Dark~Angel Says:
    I woke up at 4:45am tuesday morning to a major asthma attack, woke my husband up to set up a neb treatment for me, I always get what I call pins and needles when my asthma is bad, low oxygen levels make me feel like ive been hugging a cactus, well when I was getting dressed I noticed what apperes to be a dozen or so tiny blood blisters on the top of my right breast. I started doing research because of other symptems that ive had for over a year, including severe fatiuge and unexsplained so muscles thinking maybe theres a conection. Well I got a sight of misdiagnosis and the blood blisters(tiny red dots under top layer of skin). was a symptom of a few scary things such as a few different types of luekimia and also mennongitus, well I got scared and called a triash nurse, she calmed me down and told me that when I had my asthma attack and was gasping for air it was most likely fhetikia which in short is ruptured blood vessels caused by the pressure of coughing and gasping. But should be checked by a doctor because there are serious problems that stem from simular tiny red dots under the skin, like a bacteria that gets into the blood stream can be serious and even fatal. So though mine maybe just simply broken vessels, if you have them be safe and get them checked because it could be more serious, my doctor is out till monday so wish me luck.
  8. 8
    tina Says:
    i have a brokken blood vessel in my eye . will it go away? iam for erie pa . tina .
  9. 9
    Nia Says:
    I'm 15 and my friends big brother turned me upside down and now I've burst all the blood vessels in my face, neck and some on my ears. I also have a constant headache, my legs feel week and I'm all tingly. Is this normal?
  10. 10
    Kylla Says:
    Hey, I had the same thing happen to me, I run long distances and one day after a work out, I had them all over my face. Under my eyes, especially on the left. Its been over 6mths and I have had numerous IPL (lazor treatments) and they never go away. Let me know if you find anything that takes them away.
  11. 11
    Kayla Says:
    i have unexplained broken blood vessels all over my face...some are red, some are purple but they showed up out of no where while i was working yesterday..theres been no trauma to my face & i have no idea what to do about this?
  12. 12
    gillian Says:
    I HAVE JUST HAD SEVERE HEARING LOSS SAW A PRIVATE ENT CONSULTANT AND HE SENT ME FOR A MRI SCAN WHICH CONFIRMED ID HAD A BROKEN BLOOD VESSEL IN MY INNER EAR AND I WILL NEVER REGAIN MY HEARING BACK PLUS I HAVE AWFUL TINNITUS AND PRESSURE IN MY HEAD CAN ANY ONE OUT THERE GIVE ME ANY HELP
  13. 13
    Sat Says:
    can u brake a blood vessel by watching too much TV or being on the computer for so long ?
  14. 14
    h.g Says:
    by the way i am a guy
  15. 15
    h.g Says:
    i am 23 years old, few years ago i hit my left chest side and since that my nipple hurts alot it became so sensitive, it looks normal nothing changed, but i believe it gets harder than the other one, i went to a doctor and done a mammogram and the result was fine, he told me that the blood vessels are maybe broken because the nipple contains alot of them or maybe the tissues are smashed, i treid alot of pain relieving gels and creams, and some other creams that dissolves accumilated blood, but nothing happens it doesnt hurt so bad but it bothers me, a little touch makes it so hard unlikely the other one, please help me guys it would be great if i get ur replays on spiceman87@hotmail.com thank you so much for your help
  16. 16
    mike Says:
    bsides im just 12
  17. 17
    mike Says:
    i sometimes had small red spots on my legs . but i heard someone died of farting. he fart too hard n died fast bcos he burst his bv.
  18. 18
    me Says:
    I went to the dermatologist today for the exact same symptoms. I'm not old, either, but have arms & hands that look like my mom's!! Anyway, my dermatologist told me it was caused from sun exposure (years & years of exposure to the sun). I have never sun bathed or tanned, but I do spend a lot of time outdoors. My dermatologist prescribed me a retin-a cream to help with the problem, but also told me that I can just use an over-the-counter lotion with sunscreen, daily, to alleviate the problem. She told me to just always apply lotion (with sunscreen) to my arms & hands daily, after I shower. You don't have to use a sunscreen, but any lotion that has spf.
  19. 19
    Krysta Says:
    Easily bruising skin can be a sign of a serious condition. You should see your doctor right away.
  20. 20
    Erin Says:
    I am 43 and have "old peoples" skin. When i bump or scrape my hands or arms on something, i get these huge ugly red marks like older people have. The larger ones are slightly raised and very tender. Whats causing this at my age. I didn't think this would happen until later in life................... how can i prevent this, and minimize the apperance? note, this only happens on my arms and hands.
  21. 21
    Elyse Says:
    I have the exact same problem. I'm only 21. Today my doctor told me to get my liver tested. I'm nervous I dnt understand what she thinks is wrong. I take 200mg of zoloft a day which isn't good for ur liver nd that worries me. What was ur diagnosis
  22. 22
    carol Says:
    I have spots all over my body. Tiny red spots that are filled with blood. Most remain small but some have gotten larger and look like red moles but bleed if punctured.
  23. 23
    Kat Says:
    About once a year I break a blood vessel in my middle finger. It happens when I do something heavy that presses on it. It is painful. I put ice on it and the pain slowly goes away. It clears up on its own. Maybe this will help someone.
  24. 24
    Kaylee Says:
    When I began riding my horse bareback, I found that it had caused hideous vessel breakage over a large part of my upper thighs. It has now been several months and there has been no change in the damaged area's appearance. I was wondering if there are alternative methods of treating the breakage? (message, heat treatments??) I don't have the funds to pay for laser or injection treatments.
  25. 25
    Bonnie Says:
    I Have had trauma to my feet and legs from pass abuse and was wondering if blood vessels could be broken the pain been going on for four to five years now and the symptoms are Pain Tingling Numbness Burning sensation Cramps the blood vessels in them feel like popping and it hurts after I can't walk good once in awhile and they get stiff
  26. 26
    Prof. Nutralegacy Says:
    Dear Gina, Obviously I cannot give you any medical diagnosis about why your body is experiencing ruptured blood vessels. If your Dermatologist really thinks it may be liver involvement, then you need to ask him/her what you should do to follow up to check this. If in fact your liver is not up to par, this is something you should take seriously and work to improve. There are many reasons why blood vessels can rupture. While everyone is different and any excessive trauma will obviously break blood vessels, certain people may have excessive tendencies which cause weakened blood vessel walls. Some very simple nutritional deficiences which may be at the heart of this problem include: not having enough bioflavonoids in your diet. Bioflavanoids occur naturally in union with vitamin C, and are often plentiful in citrus fruits and many other vegetables. The white pulp in citrus fruits is actually full of bioflavanoids. One of the prime functions of these nutrients is to strengthen the outer walls of blood vessels. This alone may help prevent abnormal rupturing of vessels and subsequent bruising. You should also check out a homeopathic cell salt called Calcium Flouride. This is very safe to take and helps to recreate elasticity throughout the body. Improved elasticity can help prevent blood vessel walls from rupturing so easily. I hope this helps. Meredith.
  27. 27
    gina Says:
    hi. just had a check up with my dermatologist this day. she said that i had a ruptured blood vessels on the right portion of my shoulder. she even told me that i need to have a lab test. it might have to do something with my liver as she told me.. i wonder how true it is.. i hope that somebody can answer my query. thanks!
  28. 28
    Pete Says:
    Wow, I really didn't know bruises were considered broken blood vessels too. Makes sense when you think about it though, especially when you think about how you get them sometimes.
  29. 29
    Nikki Says:
    I have to agree with that. It's like people think that you have to drink or be outside a lot to have broken blood vessels, but that really isn't true.
  30. 30
    Mariam Says:
    When I had my son, I pushed so hard in the delivery room that I busted just about every blood vessel in my face. I looked at first like Howdy Doody until they went purple and then everyone thought I had the pox of some sort. They faded and healed within a week but that shows you how easy it really is to break a blood vessel.