Bad Bugs Slideshow Pictures Take the Bed Bugs Quiz!

Medical Author:

Eileen Toloza, MD

Coauthor:

Jennifer Krawczyk, MD

Medical Editor:

Scott H Plantz, MD, FAAEM

Medical Editor:

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD

Medical Editor:

Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP

Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP

Dr. Balentine received his undergraduate degree from McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland. He attended medical school at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine graduating in1983. He completed his internship at St. Joseph's Hospital in Philadelphia and his Emergency Medicine residency at Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center in the Bronx, where he served as chief resident.

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Exams and Tests

If an injury is obviously a bruise and the doctor does not suspect any broken bones, the doctor will probably not perform any tests.

• If there is swelling or severe pain, the doctor may want to get an x-ray of the area to make sure there are no broken bones.

• If bruising occurs frequently and for no apparent reason, the doctor may have your blood tested to look for a bleeding disorder.

• Certain bruises, a pattern of bruises over time and in various stages of healing may alert a doctor to the possibility of physical abuse.