What Could Cause A Bruise On The Arm With A Flesh Colored Circle In The Middle Without Any Injury?

Posted on Fri, 11 May 2018

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 11 May 2018 Answered on

Fri, 16 Feb 2024 Last reviewed on

Question : My husband has a bruise on his arm. He has no memory of anything causing the bruise. it's painless, doesn't itch. Round, about an inch diameter with a flesh colored circle in the middle. No indication of any penetration, i.e. insect bite.

Answered by Dr. Asmeet Kaur Sawhney (12 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Either bruise or fixed drug eruption

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

I have reviewed the attached photograph.
It could be either a bruise due to unnoticed trauma or fixed drug eruption which is a type of drug reaction.
Has he taken any medicine in the recent past?
Just keep it under observation and it should disappear in few days.
Regards
Dr Asmeet

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy

Follow up: Dr. Asmeet Kaur Sawhney (22 hours later)

No new drugs other than regular prescription. I’ll wait and see if it’s gone soon.

Answered by Dr. Asmeet Kaur Sawhney (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Keep it under observation

Detailed Answer:
Ok !!
Just keep it under observation.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Asmeet Kaur Sawhney (20 hours later)

What kind of drug would cause that reaction? And how many days is a few days?

Answered by Dr. Asmeet Kaur Sawhney (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Most commonly pain killers and antibiotics

Detailed Answer:
Fixed drug eruption can occur due to any drug but most commonly due to pain killers and antibiotics.
Sometimes it can be caused by additives and preservatives in food.
A bruise will usually take around 2 weeks to disappear but a drug eruption will only lighten in 2-3 weeks but won’t disappear completely

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng