How Do Blood Vessels Break?

Types

Broken blood vessels often occur due to some minor trauma sustained to the body. Broken blood vessels can take on two appearances: the first is that of a bluish/purplish bruise and the second is something that resembles a collection of red blood under the skin.

The cause and appearance of broken blood vessels is often related to where they are on the body.

Broken Blood Vessels in the Eye

Also known as subconjunctival hemorrhage, broken blood vessels in the eye may be due to trauma such as violent coughing, harsh sneezing, force from lifting something heavy or as a result of the force from vomiting. These events may cause blood vessels to break, and while a broken blood vessel is not dangerous, the result can make a person's eye itch. This can be treated with artificial tears or other eyedrops, and the vessel is typically repaired by the body in under two weeks.

Injuries to the Skin

When a person bumps or bangs into an object, a blood vessel can (but does not always) break. Broken blood vessels on the skin can take anywhere from two to three weeks to heal and are typically not considered dangerous. They may result in pain or be slow to heal.

If blood vessels seem to break easily in the skin, this can be a side effect of high blood pressure. A physician should be notified, and medications can be taken to lower blood pressure and help with broken blood vessels.

References

• Causes of Broken Blood Vessels
• How Do I Treat Broken Blood Vessels?
• Subconjuctive Hemorrhage: Broken Blood Vessel in Eye