Topic Overview Bruises Bruises develop when small blood vessels under the skin tear or rupture, most often from a bump or fall. Older adults often bruise easily from minor injuries, especially injuries to the forearms, hands, legs, and feet.
As a person ages, the skin becomes less flexible and thinner because there is less fat under the skin. The cushioning effect of the skin decreases as the fat under the skin decreases. These changes, along with skin damage from exposure to the sun, cause blood vessels to break easily. When blood vessels break, bruising occurs.
Women bruise more easily than men, especially from minor injuries on the thighs, buttocks, and upper arms. A tendency to bruise easily sometimes runs in families. Blood spots Blood spots under the skin may be either purpura or petechiae. Sudden unexplained bruising or blood spots under the skin or a sudden increase in the frequency of bruising may be caused by: A medicine , such as aspirin or blood thinners anticoagulants.
Infection that causes the buildup of toxin in the blood or tissues sepsis. A bleeding or clotting disorder , such as hemophilia , von Willebrand's disease , thrombocytopenia , or another less common bleeding or clotting disorder.
Other diseases that affect clotting. Examples include: Chronic inflammatory diseases, such as lupus. Liver disease, such as cirrhosis. Some types of cancer, such as Hodgkin's disease , leukemia , or multiple myeloma. Inflammation of a blood vessel vasculitis. Malnutrition, such as deficiencies of vitamins B12 , C, or K, or folic acid.
If a bruise is rapidly spreading, you need try to stop the bleeding under the skin. Wrap the area not too tightly with an elastic bandage, such as an Ace wrap, and keep it on until you see a doctor.
You can also put direct pressure on the area for 15 minutes at a time. How old are you? Less than 3 years. Are you male or female? Why do we ask this question? The medical assessment of symptoms is based on the body parts you have. If you are transgender or nonbinary, choose the sex that matches the body parts such as ovaries, testes, prostate, breasts, penis, or vagina you now have in the area where you are having symptoms.
If you have some organs of both sexes, you may need to go through this triage tool twice once as "male" and once as "female". This will make sure that the tool asks the right questions for you. Do you have symptoms of shock? The symptoms in an adult or older child are different than the symptoms in a young child. Has there been a decrease in how alert or aware you are or how well you can think and respond? Do you have symptoms of a serious illness? The symptoms in an adult or older child are different than the symptoms in a baby or toddler.
Are there any symptoms of infection? Are there red streaks leading away from the area or pus draining from it? Do you have diabetes, a weakened immune system , peripheral arterial disease, or any surgical hardware in the area? Diabetes, immune problems, peripheral arterial disease, or surgical hardware in affected area. Do you think you may have a fever? Do you have any abnormal bleeding?
Do you feel lightheaded or dizzy, like you are going to faint? It's normal for some people to feel a little lightheaded when they first stand up. But anything more than that may be serious. Are you bleeding now? Do you think that the bruising may have been caused by abuse? Has the number or size of bruises or blood spots increased for no clear reason? Was the increase in bruises or blood spots fast? Do you take a medicine that affects the blood's ability to clot?
This may include blood thinners and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs such as aspirin and ibuprofen. These medicines can cause bleeding and can make it harder to control bleeding. Were the bruises caused by an injury? Did a large, painful, very swollen bruise develop within 30 minutes after the injury? Have you had bruises or blood spots for more than 2 weeks? These include: Your age. Babies and older adults tend to get sicker quicker.
Your overall health. If you have a condition such as diabetes, HIV, cancer, or heart disease, you may need to pay closer attention to certain symptoms and seek care sooner. Medicines you take. Certain medicines, such as blood thinners anticoagulants , medicines that suppress the immune system like steroids or chemotherapy, herbal remedies, or supplements can cause symptoms or make them worse. Recent health events , such as surgery or injury. These kinds of events can cause symptoms afterwards or make them more serious.
Your health habits and lifestyle , such as eating and exercise habits, smoking, alcohol or drug use, sexual history, and travel. Try Home Treatment You have answered all the questions.
Easy bruising is common with age. Although most bruises are harmless and go away without treatment, easy bruising can sometimes be a sign of a more serious problem.
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 black-and-blue mark. Eventually your body reabsorbs the blood, and the mark disappears. Generally, harder blows cause larger bruises. However, if you bruise easily, a minor bump — one you might not even notice — can result in a substantial bruise. Some people — especially women — are more prone to bruising than others.
As you get older, your skin also becomes thinner and loses some of the protective fatty layer that helps cushion your blood vessels from injury. Aspirin, anticoagulant medications and anti-platelet agents reduce your blood's ability to clot. Antibiotics might also be associated with clotting problems. As a result, bleeding from capillary damage might take longer than usual to stop — which allows enough blood to leak out to cause a bigger bruise.
Topical and systemic corticosteroids — which can be used to treat various conditions, including allergies, asthma and eczema — cause your skin to thin, making it easier to bruise.
Certain dietary supplements, such as ginkgo, also can increase your bruising risk due to a blood-thinning effect. If you experience increased bruising, don't stop taking your medications. Talk to your doctor about your concerns. Also, make sure your doctor is aware of any supplements you're taking — especially if you're taking them while on a blood-thinning drug.
Your doctor might recommend avoiding certain over-the-counter medications or supplements. Easy bruising sometimes indicates a serious underlying condition, such as a blood-clotting problem or a blood disease. See your doctor if you:.
Bruises that develop after a cut , burn , fall, or injury are normal. However, if you have a wound that bruises, reopens , and produces pus, clear liquid, or blood, see a healthcare provider promptly. These can be signs of an infection. If a child has unexplained bruising, take them to their healthcare provider to determine the cause. Unexplained bruising on a child can be a sign of serious illness or even abuse. Certain medications also make it more likely for you to bruise. This is especially the case with blood thinners and corticosteroids.
Some herbal supplements, such as fish oil, have similar blood-thinning effects and may lead to bruises. You may also notice bruising after receiving an injection or wearing tight clothing. Bruises also tend to be more common in older adults.
As you age, your skin becomes thinner, and the capillaries under your skin become more prone to breaking. Some people bruise easily , with little impact to their body. Women are also more prone to bruising. In most cases, this is nothing to be alarmed about.
However, if this is a recent development, talk to your healthcare provider about potential causes and treatment options. Sometimes bruising is caused by an underlying condition not related to injury.
A number of bleeding disorders can cause frequent bruising. These conditions include:. Use pads on your knees, elbows, and shins when cleaning or playing sports to avoid bruising in these areas. Compression, elevation, and a bruise-healing diet can also help speed up the healing process. Bruises can be challenging to treat because the damage is beneath your skin.
The most effective way to heal a bruise is to take care of your body and give it time. However, there are things you can do at home to speed up the healing process , minimize the appearance of bruises, and even diminish the severity of your injury at the onset.
An ice pack, bag of ice, or anything frozen placed on an injury when it occurs helps reduce the amount of blood that leaks from the blood vessels into the surrounding tissues. Putting ice on a fresh bruise can prevent severe discoloration. You can also apply ice to already formed bruises in minute on, minute off increments to help speed up the healing process.
This is particularly true when it comes to bruises. If you bang your knee in the middle of a workout, get off your feet and rest. This will slow down blood flow to your bruise, making it less prevalent than it would be if you continue your workout. Instead, give yourself time for the pain and swelling to subside and apply ice immediately and as needed.
Once the bruise has already formed, you can apply heat to help clear up the trapped blood under your skin. Applying heat will also boost circulation and increase blood flow. Use a heating pad, a hot water bottle, or soak in a warm bath. This will also help loosen tight muscles and relieve any pain associated with your injury.
Elevate the bruised injury above the level of your heart. Thanks to gravity, this helps relieve pain and drain fluid away from the bruise. Elevation reduces pressure and compression. It also increases blood flow back to your heart and away from your injury.
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