A love bite, or hickey, hurts because it's essentially a bruise caused by damaged blood vessels.
What Happens When You Get a Love Bite?
When someone gives you a love bite, the suction from their mouth damages the tiny blood vessels called capillaries just under your skin. This damage causes the capillaries to leak blood into the surrounding tissue. However, the blood doesn’t have anywhere to go and becomes trapped.
Here's a breakdown:
- Suction: The act of creating suction on the skin causes the initial damage.
- Capillary Damage: This suction pressure breaks the small capillaries under the skin.
- Blood Leakage: The damaged capillaries leak blood into the surrounding tissue.
- Bruising: The trapped blood results in the familiar discoloration and tenderness we know as a bruise or hickey.
Why Does it Feel Painful?
While the pain from a love bite isn't usually severe, it can be tender and sensitive. Here's why:
- Inflammation: The leakage of blood and damaged tissue leads to inflammation in the area, which can cause pain.
- Pressure on Nerves: The collection of blood can also put pressure on nearby nerve endings, contributing to the sensation of pain or discomfort.
Summary of Love Bite Mechanics
| Mechanism | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Suction | The act of applying suction to the skin. | Damages capillaries |
| Capillary Damage | Small blood vessels under the skin are ruptured. | Blood leaks into surrounding tissue |
| Blood Leakage | Blood from damaged capillaries seeps into the tissue. | Leads to bruising and inflammation |
| Inflammation & Nerves | The trapped blood causes the area to inflame and puts pressure on nerve endings. | Causes pain and tenderness |
Love bites, therefore, hurt because they are bruises resulting from damaged capillaries, leading to inflammation and nerve irritation.
