But what about significant bruising due to, say, a fall, jam, or blow? To speed healing, Cleveland Clinic suggests resting and elevating the injured area, applying a towel-wrapped ice pack for no more than 15 minutes at a time for the first 24 to 48 hours, switching to a heating pad or warm compress after two days, and popping an over-the-counter pain reliever.
Older folks' bodies don't bounce back from injury like those of younger adults, so even a minor bump or grab on the arm can leave a bruise. For a fresh injury, try the RICE method: rest, ice, compression, elevation. Friedler says. Many years of sun exposure can weaken blood vessel walls, contributing to a type of bruising in older adults known as "actinic purpura" or "senile purpura"—unsightly purple patches that occur on the backs of the hands and forearms without much of a bump or injury.
Aging and use of certain medications can also cause these bruises. The American Osteopathic College of Dermatology says topical creams containing retinol or alpha-hydroxy acid may be useful in reducing the appearance of these bruises, while wearing long sleeves and avoiding trauma to the hands and arms may help prevent bruising in the first place.
And it's another reason to become a lifelong user of sun protection! Do you have asthma, COPD, eczema , or rheumatoid arthritis? Easy bruising may be a sign that you're taking corticosteroids, a common treatment for these and other diseases.
Whether you're using an inhaler, taking pills, or applying a topical version of these powerful anti-inflammatory drugs, bruising is a common side effect, Mayo Clinic notes.
Long-term use, especially at more potent doses, can cause skin thinning. If bruising is an issue, talk to your doctor about whether to stick with your medication regimen or switch to another drug.
If bruises seem to appear for no reason, it could signal you were born with a platelet disorder. Platelets are crucial because they help form clots to slow or halt bleeding. Liver disease is treatable.
People that drink more the recommended amount of one drink a day for women and two drinks a day for men should stop immediately when developing liver issues.
Your age may be what causes you to bruise easily. This is because your blood vessels weaken. The skin also gets thinner and loses elasticity and fatty layers that cushion the blood vessels. If your mom and sister also easily bruise, it could be a family thing. Some people, mostly women, have very fragile blood vessels, especially in the thighs, arms, or butt. People with diabetes may develop hyperglycemia which creates too much glucose in the blood. This damages the blood vessels and increases bruising.
Older adults may bruise more easily than younger people. Their thinning skin often has less fat underneath to cushion the blood vessels. Bruises due to minor injuries or accidents usually disappear on their own after a week or two. During the healing process, the bruise will change color before fading away. During an office visit, your doctor will review your family and personal medical history. If your doctor decides medication is probably causing your bruising, he or she will discuss other options.
When the cause of bruising is unclear, your doctor will likely order blood work to check for platelet problems or other blood clotting abnormalities. Bruises are often caused by a simple accident.
They may also become very itchy, feel very tired or sick, and have swollen legs, dark urine, and yellowing eyes or skin. Liver disease is treatable, especially when a doctor diagnoses it early. People who drink should immediately stop when they develop symptoms of liver health problems. A doctor can provide advice on the right combination of medical treatments and lifestyle remedies.
A person with this condition has defective or absent von Willebrand protein, which is important for blood clotting. Both of these proteins are important for blood clotting. Synthetic versions of these clotting factors can help treat hemophilia and reduce the risk of serious bleeding, including severe bruises. When a genetic bleeding disorder causes easy bruising, it is also possible that the person may bleed to excess or even experience life-threatening hemorrhages.
The symptoms do not appear suddenly. Instead, they are present from birth, so genetic bleeding disorders are most commonly present in babies and young children. Certain vitamins enable the body to heal and the blood to clot. Deficiencies in vitamin C can cause a condition called scurvy.
Scurvy causes bleeding gums, wounds that do not heal, and easy bruising. Vitamin K helps the body form clots to stop bleeding. Newborns often have very low levels of vitamin K, which are insufficient to stop bleeding.
Without a vitamin K injection at birth, babies may bruise easily or bleed excessively. Adults who are very deficient in vitamin K may also notice a sudden increase in bruising. Vitamin deficiencies are usually reasonably easy to correct.
However, it is important that a doctor diagnoses these deficiencies with a blood test so that they can recommend the appropriate vitamin supplement. If vitamin supplements do not cure the issue, this may mean that a person has another problem, such as a metabolic or gastrointestinal disorder that makes it difficult for the body to absorb nutrients.
Vasculitis refers to a group of conditions that cause inflamed blood vessels.
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