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Feb 9, 2017 · Age related changes, such as thinning of skin, atrophy of subcutaneous tissue, and weakened capillaries can cause bruising in older people.3 4 5 This bruising is commonly seen on the dorsum of hands and extensor surface of forearm and shin, and the bruise fades to a brownish colour over several months.3 4 6 In young women, purpura simplex or easy bruising syndrome can present with bruising ...
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Investigating easy bruising in an adult. BMJ 2017; 356 :j251...
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Most bruises form when small blood vessels (capillaries) near the skin's surface are broken by the impact of a blow or injury — often on the arms or legs. When this happens, blood leaks out of the vessels and initially appears as a dark mark. Eventually the body reabsorbs the blood, and the mark disappears.
- Aspirin, anticoagulant medications and anti-platelet agents reduce your blood's ability to clot. Antibiotics might also be associated with clotting...
- Easy bruising sometimes indicates a serious underlying condition, such as a blood-clotting problem or a blood disease. See your doctor if you: 1. H...
- To prevent minor bruising, take steps to avoiding falling: 1. Use good lighting in your home. 2. Avoid clutter and throw rugs, especially on stairs...
Jun 27, 2022 · There are two important parts to lowering bruising risk as we age. The first involves finding ways to avoid injuries in the first place. The second is about taking steps to support the health of your skin and blood vessels, so bruises are less likely to form if you do get hurt. 1. Reduce Your Fall Risk.
- Overview
- What causes a bruise to appear?
- Typical healing time and color cycle
- When a bruise doesn’t go away
- When to see a doctor
- How to treat a bruise
- Takeaway
A bruise is an injury to the skin or tissues just under your skin. A bruise that doesn’t go away may be a sign of an underlying condition, such as low or abnormal blood platelets or blood-clotting problems.
Everyone bruises occasionally. There’s usually no reason for concern.
You get a bruise when a small blood vessel just under the skin’s surface breaks. The skin isn’t broken, so blood leaks into tissues. Blood platelets then form a clot to plug the leak.
Here are the different types of bruises:
•Ecchymosis is a flat bruise.
•Hematoma is a raised bruise with swelling.
•Petechiae are tiny purple or red spots that look like a bruise when clustered together.
•Purpura occur without injury, likely due to a blood-clotting disorder.
It takes a few weeks for a bruise to completely disappear. The color transition looks something like this:
•Red. Immediately following trauma, you’ll probably notice a red mark that becomes more apparent as blood begins to leak.
•Black, blue, or purple. Within 24 hours or so, the bruise turns black, blue, or dark purple as more blood pools in the area.
•Yellow or green. Within 2 to 3 days, your body starts reabsorbing the blood. There’s a greater concentration of yellow or green.
•Light brown. By day 10 to 14, the bruise fades to light brown before disappearing completely.
A bruise may clear in the center before the outer edges. The coloring and healing process vary from person to person. If you have darker skin, you may also have darker bruises.
Frequent bruising
Easy or frequent bruising could be the result of low or abnormal blood platelets or blood-clotting problems. This could be due to an underlying condition. It could also be a side effect of medication. For example, anticoagulants, antiplatelets, and aspirin interfere with blood clotting. Corticosteroids can thin the skin. Even dietary supplements, such as gingko, can thin your blood. If you suspect a prescribed medication is the cause, don’t stop taking it. Instead, ask your doctor if there’s an alternative medication. Your doctor can also order blood tests to check platelet levels or measure your blood-clotting time.
Bruise that won’t go away on leg
If you have petechiae or bruising on the legs or calves that won’t heal, it could be due to a shortage of platelets. Some conditions that can cause this are: •pregnancy •certain types of anemia •enlarged spleen •heavy alcohol use •bacteria in the blood •hemolytic uremic syndrome •hepatitis C, HIV, or other viruses •leukemia •lupus •myelodysplastic syndromes Certain medications can also affect platelet counts, such as: •anticonvulsants •chemotherapy drugs •heparin •quinine •sulfa-containing antibiotics
Bruise that won’t go away on chest
A chest bruise that won’t go away could be due to: •fractured or broken ribs •fractured sternum •injury to the chest wall Chest bruising can take up to 6 weeks to heal. You may also have some pain and discomfort. Always see your doctor after a chest injury. Complications can include infection and difficulty breathing.
You probably don’t need to see a doctor for an everyday bruise. Of course, seek immediate treatment if it’s possible that you’ve fractured a bone. An X-ray can confirm or rule this out.
Also see your doctor for these symptoms:
•painful swelling around the bruise
•continuing pain 3 days after a minor injury
•tendency to bruise for no apparent reason
•history of significant bleeding
If you have swelling or pain during the healing process, you can give the RICE method a try:
•Rest the bruised area.
•Ice the bruise for 10 to 20 minutes. Repeat a few times per day for up to 48 hours. Don’t place the ice directly on your skin. Wrap it in a towel first.
•Compress the area if there’s swelling, but take care not to cut off your circulation.
•Elevate the injury to ease pain and swelling.
Aspirin can cause more bleeding, so choose acetaminophen (Tylenol) for pain. You can also try a few home remedies:
Bruises aren’t usually serious, and they often clear up without treatment. If you have a bruise that doesn’t go away after 2 weeks, you bruise for no apparent reason, or you have additional symptoms, see your doctor for diagnosis. The sooner you get treatment, the sooner you’ll start feeling better.
Aug 9, 2024 · Aging. Vitamin K Deficiency. Iron Deficiency Anemia. Platelet Disorders. Hemophilia. Medications. Herbs and Supplements. When to Seek Medical Care. When you bruise easily, it can sometimes seem just as easy to identify the cause, such as advancing age or a blood thinner medication you're taking.
May 2, 2023 · Vitamin C: Vitamin C is important for many reasons, one being wound healing. Without enough vitamin C in the body, random bruising can occur. Iron: Iron is vital for healthy blood cells because it aids in the delivery of oxygen throughout the body. Without adequate oxygen, skin becomes more likely to bruise. Vitamin K: Vitamin K plays a role in ...
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May 23, 2024 · People over 65 years old and those assigned female at birth (AFAB) are more likely to get bruises than others because these groups generally have thinner skin and smaller blood vessels.
