Quick Answers
Yes, it is possible to bleed from a hickey, though not common. A hickey forms when suction breaks small superficial blood vessels under the skin, causing a bruise. If suction is forceful enough, a hickey can cause bleeding beneath the skin or through broken skin. Factors like blood thinners, blood vessel disorders, or fragile skin raise bleeding risk. Most hickeys aren’t serious, but seek medical care for profuse bleeding, intense pain, or other concerning symptoms.
What is a Hickey?
A hickey, also called a love bite or kiss mark, is a temporary bruise that forms when suction is applied to the skin, typically during kissing or sucking. It occurs when pressure causes small blood vessels called capillaries to break under the top layer of skin. Blood leaks into surrounding tissues, causing a reddish or purplish bruise to form.
Hickeys are harmless, though some people find them embarrassing. They typically last 1-2 weeks as the body reabsorbs the blood. Hickeys can occur on any part of the body but are most common on the neck, shoulders, or arm.
Can Hickeys Cause Bleeding?
Most hickeys do not cause bleeding. The suction required to form a hickey may rupture some delicate capillaries, but this usually does not extend below the skin’s surface. The leaked blood remains trapped under the top layer of skin, forming a bruise.
However, it is possible for a hickey to be forceful enough to cause bleeding:
Bleeding under the skin
If very strong suction is applied, such as during aggressive kissing or sucking, it can burst more superficial blood vessels. This allows blood to pool and spread more extensively under the skin, which can cause bruising and swelling. Though the blood remains trapped beneath the skin, some people report the hickey area feeling wet or soggy if extensive bleeding occurs.
Bleeding through broken skin
The suction can also sometimes break the surface of the skin, either from friction of sucking or if the skin is fragile. This allows blood to seep through the broken skin. Even minor skin tearing can cause drops of blood to appear at the hickey site.
Risk Factors for Hickey Bleeding
Though uncommon, some people are at higher risk of having a hickey bleed:
Use of blood thinners
Medications that thin the blood and prevent clotting, such as aspirin or warfarin, can increase bleeding if a hickey ruptures blood vessels. The blood is less able to clot and stop bleeding under the skin or through broken skin.
Blood vessel disorders
Certain medical conditions can weaken blood vessels or cause them to be more fragile. Examples include aneurysms, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, and some genetic vascular disorders. Weaker blood vessels may be more prone to bursting and bleeding under the pressure of a hickey.
Fragile skin
Elderly individuals often have thinner skin that tears more easily. People with certain skin conditions, such as eczema or dermatitis, may also have sensitive areas prone to damage if sucking irritates the skin. This makes bleeding through broken skin more likely.
Medications that thin the skin
Long-term steroid use can cause skin thinning and fragility. Medications like prednisone or cortisone may contribute to broken skin and bleeding if a hickey irritates affected areas.
Lack of lubrication
Dry skin is more prone to friction injuries and tearing. Generous lubrication and moisture can help prevent skin damage during vigorous sucking or kissing that leads to a hickey.
Is Bleeding a Cause for Concern?
Mild bleeding from a hickey is usually not serious. However, seek prompt medical care if:
– Bleeding seems excessive and does not stop. Profuse or prolonged bleeding suggests a significant tear or injury.
– The area is extremely painful, much more than expected. Significant pain can indicate a worse skin tear or other injury.
– Other concerning symptoms develop, like lightheadedness, headache, nausea, or fever. This may signal a more complex medical issue.
– The hickey occurred on the neck over major blood vessels. Though rare, deep neck hickeys theoretically pose a small risk of damaging carotid or jugular vessels, so severe neck pain, swelling, or bleeding warrants urgent evaluation.
– You take blood thinners and have bleeding that does not subside quickly. Medications like warfarin mean bleeding may not clot on its own.
– You have a suspected blood vessel disorder or fragile skin issue. Bleeding could be a sign of an underlying condition needing diagnosis.
First Aid for Bleeding Hickeys
For minor bleeding under the skin or through broken skin at a hickey site, you can try these home remedies:
– Apply firm, steady pressure to the area with a clean cloth or bandage for at least 10-15 minutes. This helps encourage clotting to stop bleeding.
– Raise the area above heart level if possible, which slows blood flow. Avoid moving or stretching the skin.
– Apply an ice pack wrapped in a towel. Cold helps constrict blood vessels to reduce bleeding. Do not place ice directly on bare skin.
– Keep the wound clean to prevent infection. Gently clean with mild soap and water, then apply an antibiotic ointment and bandage.
– Take an over-the-counter pain reliever like acetaminophen or ibuprofen to reduce pain and swelling.
– Monitor for worsening symptoms and seek medical care promptly if bleeding does not stop or other concerns arise.
How to Prevent Hickey Bleeding
You can reduce the risk of a hickey causing bleeding by:
– Avoiding very forceful sucking or biting during kissing. Apply gentle suction instead.
– Using lubrication to prevent skin friction and tearing, especially if skin is dry.
– Checking for fragile skin, moles, scars, or other areas prone to damage before passionately kissing an area. Avoid those spots.
– Stopping immediately if pain seems excessive or you notice any bleeding.
– Avoiding hickeys over major blood vessels in the neck, such as the carotid artery. Stick to areas with less vasculature like the shoulders.
– Taking care if you use blood thinners or have a bleeding disorder. Discuss risks with your doctor and monitor hickeys for bleeding.
When to See Your Doctor
Consult a healthcare provider if:
– Bleeding persists beyond 15 minutes of firm pressure.
– The wound seems deep, gaping open, or has edges that do not close. Stitches may be needed.
– Signs of infection develop, like worsening pain, swelling, heat, redness, or pus.
– You feel ill or faint after a bleeding episode.
– The hickey occurred on the neck near critical structures like the airway or carotid artery.
– You take blood thinners or have a medical condition that impairs clotting. Prolonged bleeding may signal the need for medication changes.
– You experience frequent heavy bleeding from minor skin injuries. An undiagnosed bleeding disorder may require treatment.
Preventing Hickeys Altogether
If you wish to be extra cautious about potential hickey complications like bleeding, you can take steps to avoid getting hickeys altogether:
– Set boundaries about hickey placement or request that your partner avoids giving hickeys. Communicate what you are comfortable with.
– Keep passionately kissed areas covered with clothing or a scarf.
– Apply cold compresses to kissed areas immediately after to constrict blood vessels.
– Avoid aggressive sucking, biting, or harsh vacuum pressure when kissing. Gentle lips and tongue contact reduce hickey risk.
– Ensure skin is lubricated with lip balm or similar products before amorous activity.
– Inspect the skin and avoid any moles, scars, active rashes, or fragile areas when kissing someone.
– Take a preventive dose of vitamin K supplements or vitamin C before encounters you think may lead to hickeys. These support coagulation and skin integrity.
Conclusion
While most hickeys do not lead to bleeding, forceful suctioning can occasionally burst superficial blood vessels or tear delicate skin. Mild bleeding from a hickey often stops with simple first aid measures like pressure. However, seek prompt medical care if bleeding seems excessive, pain is severe, or other concerning symptoms develop after a hickey. Being gentle, using lubrication, and inspecting the skin can help prevent hickey bleeding in those prone to it. With appropriate care, hickeys should remain just a temporary mark without serious complications.