Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: dentstudent on 27/07/2007 07:06:03

Title: Why do some people not bruise as much as others?
Post by: dentstudent on 27/07/2007 07:06:03: If my wife so much as sneezes on her arm (though why she would want to I've no idea) she will bruise. Excellent for a high degree of sympathy. If I bark my shin or any other part of my anatomy against something, I get an awful lot of pain but no nice rosy mark or bruising, and therefore no sympathy. Why should this unfairness in the bruising (and hence sympathy stakes) arise?
Title: Why do some people not bruise as much as others?
Post by: kdlynn on 27/07/2007 07:08:48: good question. i bruise easily myself
Title: Why do some people not bruise as much as others?
Post by: dentstudent on 27/07/2007 07:09:51: Like a peach?
Title: Why do some people not bruise as much as others?
Post by: kdlynn on 27/07/2007 07:10:47: yes. i didn't used to... or maybe i was just less clumsy...
Title: Why do some people not bruise as much as others?
Post by: dentstudent on 27/07/2007 07:12:19: No, I was just asking if you wanted a peach - i've got a spare one here - look! [;)]
Title: Why do some people not bruise as much as others?
Post by: kdlynn on 27/07/2007 07:13:43: oh... no thank you. i just brushed my teeth. that would be kinda gross
Title: Why do some people not bruise as much as others?
Post by: dentstudent on 27/07/2007 07:14:53: I think bruising is caused by "bilirubens" in the blood, in the same way that these cause the yellowing in those with jaundice. Perhaps it's to do with skin thickness?
Title: Why do some people not bruise as much as others?
Post by: dentstudent on 27/07/2007 07:15:36: Quote from: kdlynn on 27/07/2007 07:13:43
oh... no thank you. i just brushed my teeth. that would be kinda gross
Peppermint'n'peach? MMnnnn....blurghhhh!
Title: Why do some people not bruise as much as others?
Post by: kdlynn on 27/07/2007 07:17:13: can't be worse than drinking orange juice after brushing your teeth... ew
Title: Why do some people not bruise as much as others?
Post by: kdlynn on 27/07/2007 07:18:06: oh look what we've done to this poor thread already... it never stood a chance did it?
Title: Why do some people not bruise as much as others?
Post by: dentstudent on 27/07/2007 07:20:17: Quote from: kdlynn on 27/07/2007 07:18:06
oh look what we've done to this poor thread already... it never stood a chance did it?

I know - there must be a "bugger up the thread" gene somewhere! Shall we go chat in the chatty bit?

After you - ladies first, here, I'll get the door....
Title: Why do some people not bruise as much as others?
Post by: paul.fr on 27/07/2007 07:58:30: I think it may be down to the thickness of yo skin. When your soft tissues are injured, small veins and capillaries under the skin sometimes break. Red blood cells leak out of these blood vessels. These red blood cells that collect under your skin cause that bluish, purplish, reddish, or blackish mark.
Title: Why do some people not bruise as much as others?
Post by: dentstudent on 27/07/2007 08:03:38: Thanks Paul, that echoes my thought earlier. But we have thin skin on our shins for example, and I don't bruise there either. My boys (because they're boys) have shins covered in bruises, and I'm sure my skin is thinner. Perhaps I'm lacking bilirubens!