Bruises can itch because it's a sign your body is actively working to heal the injured area.
When you get a bruise, blood vessels under the skin are damaged, causing blood to pool. This pooled blood needs to be cleared away by your body's natural healing processes. The itching sensation often occurs during this phase of recovery.
According to Dr. Sulewski, bruises can itch as they are healing because the body's immune system is breaking down the bruise.
Here's a breakdown of why this happens:
- Immune System Activation: Your body recognizes the pooled blood as something that needs to be removed. It sends in the immune system's cleanup crew, primarily white blood cells.
- Breaking Down Blood: These white blood cells surround and break down the clotted blood and damaged tissue in the bruise.
- Chemical Signaling: As the white blood cells perform their task, they release various chemicals. The reference specifically notes that the white blood cells use chemical signaling that can lead to itching. These chemical signals interact with nerve endings in the skin, triggering the itchy feeling.
Essentially, the itching is a side effect of the complex biological process where your body is dismantling and clearing away the bruise, a key part of how the bruise heals over time.
