Can a small 'love bite' or hickey take your life? Know from the doctor how dangerous it is

News Topical, Digital Desk : Have you ever thought that a small mark made in the expression of love, which people call Love Bite or Hickey, can become the enemy of your life? You may also be surprised to read this, but it is not wise to turn away from the reality (Hickey Side Effects). In fact, medical science has recorded some very shocking cases (Love Bite Danger) where a small hickey took away life. So let's clear this confusion and with the help of a doctor, know whether 'hickey' can really prove to be fatal (Hickey Health Risks) or not.

What is a 'love bite' or 'hikkey'?

First of all, it is important to understand what a hickey is. Actually, when a person sucks or bites someone's skin forcefully, the blood vessels at that place burst. Due to this, blood accumulates under the skin and a red or purple mark is formed at that place. It is basically a small bruise.

How can a hickey become fatal?

Dr. Shrey Srivastava explains that in most cases a hickey is just a temporary mark, which heals on its own in a few days. However, in certain circumstances it has been observed that if the blood clot formed by the hickey reaches the brain or heart with the blood flow, it can also cause a stroke or heart attack. Let us tell you, there is a carotid artery in our neck, which carries blood to the brain, but if the hickey is given with so much force that the inner walls of this artery are damaged, then a blood clot can form there.

This blood clot can travel to the brain and cause a stroke . A person suffering from a stroke can have paralysis of one part of his body, have trouble speaking or, in the most serious cases, can even die. In 2010, a case of a 17-year-old boy dying from a stroke due to a hickey was reported in New Zealand, where a blood clot on his neck took his life.

Apart from this, if the skin gets cut or injured during a hickey, bacteria can easily enter the body through the bloodstream and cause infection. Although it is not as serious as a stroke, it can still cause skin problems like allergies .

In very rare cases, if the hickey is very deep and strong, it can put pressure on the nerves in the neck, causing temporary numbness or pain. So, it is not safe to assume it is completely safe.

When should you be alert?

If you or someone you know experiences any of the following symptoms after a hickey, contact a doctor immediately:

• Sudden weakness or numbness in any part of the body
• Difficulty speaking or slurred speech
• Difficulty seeing
• sudden severe headache
• Loss of balance or dizziness
• severe pain or redness that spreads
• fever or other signs of infection

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