Guidelines for color of bruises

1. Red to blue: about 1 to 2 days old
2. Blue to purple: about 3 to 5 days old
3. Green: about 6 to 7 days old
4. Yellow to brown: about 8 to 10 days old
5. Resolved: at least 13 to 28 days old
6. It is likely safest to describe bruises as either: "new" (red, purple, or blue) or

"old" (green, yellow, or brown)

Note: The presence of bruises that have various ages may signify multiple episodes of injury caused by ongoing physical abuse.