Hickeys are usually not dangerous and most heal on their own, but they are still small bruises and can very rarely cause complications like infection, herpes transmission, or even a stroke if done very aggressively on the neck.

What a hickey actually is

A hickey is a bruise caused by strong suction or biting that breaks tiny blood vessels (capillaries) under the skin. The leaked blood collects under the surface, creating a red‑purple mark that fades over days to a couple of weeks.

Typical effects (the common case)

In most people, hickeys:

  • Cause mild pain or tenderness for a short time.
  • Look like a small round bruise that changes color (red → purple → yellow‑brown) as it heals.
  • Disappear without treatment and without long‑term damage.

For healthy individuals, this is the usual story and there is no serious medical risk in most situations.

When hickeys can be risky

Although it is rare, there are documented medical cases and expert warnings about more serious problems:

  • Blood clots and stroke (very rare): Strong suction over the neck, especially near the carotid artery, can theoretically injure the vessel wall, form a clot, and send it to the brain, causing a stroke. This has been reported in isolated cases (including non‑fatal and fatal strokes) in news and medical discussions.
  • Skin infection: Any broken skin (from teeth or very aggressive sucking) can let bacteria in, leading to redness, warmth, swelling, pain, or pus.
  • Scarring or dark marks: Repeated or very deep bruising in the same spot can leave long‑lasting discoloration or small scars in some people.
  • Virus transmission: If the skin is broken and a partner has oral herpes (cold sores) or other infections in the mouth, there is a possibility of virus transmission at that site.

These outcomes are uncommon, but they are the reason doctors tend to say that hickeys are “usually harmless but not completely risk‑free.”

Who should be extra careful

The small risk becomes more important if someone:

  • Has a blood‑clotting disorder or takes blood thinners.
  • Has fragile blood vessels or connective‑tissue disease.
  • Has a history of stroke, carotid artery disease, or serious heart problems.
  • Bruises extremely easily or has unexplained bruises.

In these cases, even “normal” bruising might not be a good idea, and it is safer to avoid strong suction or biting entirely.

Safer‑practice tips and when to see a doctor

To keep things on the safer side:

  • Avoid very strong suction or biting, especially on the neck over where you can feel a pulse.
  • Stop immediately if there is sharp pain, dizziness, numbness, or unusual symptoms.
  • Do not intentionally break the skin.
  • Use gentler kisses or non‑marking forms of affection if either partner is uncomfortable or has medical issues.

Seek urgent medical care if after a hickey (especially on the neck) someone develops:

  • Weakness, numbness, trouble speaking, facial droop, or vision changes.
  • Severe headache, confusion, or seizures.
  • Spreading redness, warmth, pus, or fever at the site.

Bottom note: Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.