OT - Mysterious Bruise

Off Topic: My husband has had this myseterious bruise on his lower shin for about 5 years.  We have been to a family doctor and a dermatologist to try and get information about why the heck this bruise doesn't go away.  It's really strange.  The dermatologist said is it not a skin issue.  The family doctor said it was probably a bruised bone.  Weird.  My hubby thinks he remembers getting hit in his shin with a rock when mowing the lawn, so the bruised bone scenario could be true, but WHY the heck would this now go away. Anyone heard of anything like this, or know of any medical conditions that bruising would be representative of? He mentions that sometimes it is still painful, and recently is itchy.  Though, I will give the heads up that he is very funny about boo-boo's.  You know the type - an unnecessary hypocondriac.  So, although I don't doubt that in his head he thinks it hurts, I wonder if ir really does hurt.  I think it's more of a mental squeemish thing about the bruise and not touching it.  (He is the same way about a skin graft area from a childhood burn that I'm not allowed to brush against becuase he "feels" it.) Any ideas? 

I have seen this before. I had one. It is usually related to edema in the lower leg. Try to have him limit his salt intake and also use some kind of cream such as valisone on the area, gently massaging it into the skin. Try not to scratch as this just makes it worse and opens the area up. I know one thing, a bruise does not last for 5 years and it does not itch. The physican did not get this one right. Also, tell him not to wear socks or shoes that would cause any indentations in his legs as this is restricting blood flow. If his socks are tight, tell him to wear a larger size or none at all or maybe he can find the diabetic socks. I hope this helps. The spot will go away if he can do these things. Good luck, Crystal

Thanks!  I've been reading up today about edema.  There is no swelling in the area, but I am going to pay attention to when he removes his socks tonight to see how constricting they were and if it affected the area.  Oh and we talked about it again and he swears it really does hurt when he presses on it, he says it's not just in his head.

I have 2  spots on my legs that look like bruises. I asked my PCP about them. He gave them a name and I cannot remember what he called it. But said it is nothing to worry about. I have to see him tomorrow, so I'll ask him again what they are called. I do remember him pressing on it and since the skin turned white, he thought it was okay. I should pay better attention, huh? Penny

Penny,            Do your spots itch? Is it firey red at times and feel rough to the touch? Just wondering about this since maybe we are talking about two different things. I know they are common in people who are overweight or have more edema in the lower legs. They have to do with circulation/edema problems but I need to find the medical term for it also. If you find out tomorrow, please let us know. Thanks , Crystal

It could definitely be 2 different things. The most recent one was red when I first noticed it. Now it is sorta purple. I think it has to do with the veins...but its not a varicose vein. I will ask him tomorrow. Thanks, Penny

Please do let me know what he says to you.  Do the bruises you have hurt when pressed on?  I looked online a bit for vein related problems but couldn't find anything.

There is some pain when pressed on. It does not itch. I will post after the appt. tomorrow.

The doctor said the spots on my legs were a vascular malformation...or a cluster of blood vessels. I kept pressing him for more information, but he said that he cannot be 100% sure that's what it is. He said I should not worry about it. However, I don't know that this is the same thing that is on your husbands leg. My spots are sorta purple, and about the size of a quarter. They are not very sensitive, but maybe a little if I press on it. Has he asked his dr about it lately? Good luck on your findings. Hope this helps a little, Penny

Thanks!  I appreciate you asking your doctor about that again.  :)