Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. If your blood cells arent healthy, your body wont be able to get the oxygen that it needs to function. Scientists use genetic rewiring to increase lifespan of cells, Beyond amyloid and tau: New targets in developing dementia treatments, Napping longer than 30 minutes linked to higher risk of obesity and high blood pressure, Activity 'snacks' could lower blood sugar, complication risk in type 1 diabetes, In Conversation: Investigating the power of music for dementia, How to tell if it is a bruise or a blood clot, How to get rid of a bruise: Home remedies, bruising occurs for no apparent reason and does not heal within a few weeks, bruises appear in unusual locations, such as the torso, back, or face, there are a number of bruises in one specific area, or a cluster scattered on different parts of the body, bruising appears with other symptoms, such as fatigue, nausea, or a high temperature. An approach to investigation of easy bruising. Politics latest updates: Union leader Pat Cullen says nurses are Also, tell your provider about any supplements you're taking especially if you're taking them while on a blood-thinning drug. 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC, an Internet Brands company. Aging As you age, your skin gets thinner and you lose some of the protective fat that cushions your blood vessels Theyre caused by a blood vessel break. Most bruises aren't much more than a nuisance, but if it's very painful, or if you've had it for 2 weeks and it doesn't show signs of getting better, call your doctor. A lack of vitamin K which could be the result of something as simple as skimping on leafy green veggies or more serious conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, or bacterial overgrowth of the gut could lead to easy bleeding and bruising, says Dr. Elliott. This nutrient is essential for healing, so if you don't get enough, you may bruise easily. Blood diseases like aplastic anemia, white blood cell cancer, hemophilia, Von Wideband disease may cause easy bruising and prolonged bleeding. Most bruises are harmless and go away without treatment. include protected health information. Cushing syndrome develops when you have too much cortisol in your blood. They aid in the formation of red blood cells, help maintain mineral levels, and lower your cholesterol. Bleeding and bruising in cancer patients. Some antibiotics and antidepressants also might be associated with clotting problems. Getting the right nutrients may also help protect against easy bruising. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. These causes are covered in more detail below. About 7% of US citizens are deficient in vitamin C (reference). These tests include: Most bruises fade away and dont need treatment. It mostly occurs in females who have a mental health condition or emotional stress. We avoid using tertiary references. Merck Manual Professional Version. Blood tests to check for clotting conditions and vitamin deficiencies. Last medically reviewed on June 29, 2020, A bruise usually results from a blow to the body. The most common cause is aging or the side effect of medications such as blood thinners or chemotherapy. Medicines, herbs, and vitamins which affect bleeding. Bruises happen when an injury causes blood to leak into the skin. Other symptoms of a vitamin C deficiency include: You may begin to bruise easily if you arent getting enough iron. Unexplained bruising is one of them. If you experience frequent or unexplained bruising, your provider may order tests to rule out possible causes. Pelvic fractures are typically the result of high impact injuries. Doctors can detect a liver or kidney condition during routine blood tests, so don't be afraid to speak up if you suspect there's a problem. Your provider can further identify what type of ecchymosis you have based on your symptoms. Thornburg CD, et al. Medications such as anticoagulants, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and corticosteroids reduce the bloods ability to clot. Nosebleeds without a known cause. Bruises usually arent a cause for concern. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. People who have hemophilia A are missing an important clotting factor, factor VIII, resulting in excessive bleeding and bruising. A person with kidney disease bruises easily due to a loss of skin elasticity. Unexplained bruises could be a sign of an underlying medical condition. That doesn't mean you should stop moving; just stay safe in the weight room or on the field by paying attention to your surroundings and your movements, going slower if you need to, and staying extra focused when you're running on the road. This content does not have an English version. uwhealth.org/healthfacts/cardiology/6404.html, academic.oup.com/nutritionreviews/article/70/2/107/1896192, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4777343/, Everything to Know About a Bruise That Wont Go Away, Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC): Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment, Is the COVID-19 Vaccine Linked to Tinnitus? Random bruising: Is it serious? Causes, treatment, and The majority of cases will resolve spontaneously without a need for treatment. Is Bruising Easily Normal or Does It Signal a Bigger, Underlying Causes AIcohoI-induced bone marrow suppression leads to easy bruising all of a sudden when the platelets drop below a certain number. It is a rare condition that mostly affects males. How to Treat a Skin Tear There are three main goals of treatment: to prevent infection, protect the surrounding skin and tissues, and keep the area moist to support What causes this? An increase in bruising can be a side effect of some medications, especially blood thinners, NSAIDS, and steroids. A symptom of taking a medication (like anticoagulants, antiplatelet medicine, aspirin or steroids). Certain health conditions (or the meds you take for those conditions) could also lead to coagulation problems basically, your body can't turn the blood from a liquid to a solid fast enough to stop you from bleeding. Plus, if you play any contact sports, your risk goes up even further. Bruising Easily: Causes, Treatment, When to Get Care Vitamin C deficiency. Blood vessels are tubes that carry blood throughout your body. Some people (it's usually women) just have more fragile blood vessels, and that makes them more likely to bruise, especially on their upper arms, thighs, or butt. For unclear reasons, girls tend to bruise more easily than boys. Treating pain with hot and cold can be extremely effective for a number of different conditions and injuries. What deficiency can cause bruising? information highlighted below and resubmit the form. Thrombophilia means that your blood has an increased tendency to clot. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Get useful, helpful and relevant health + wellness information. While vitamin C deficiency can also cause an increase in bruising, it's uncommon in the U.S. thanks to diets filled with fruits and veggies. (2018). See your health care provider if you: Another serious cause of bruising is domestic violence or abuse. UW Health. These bruises can get larger, turning your skin purple. All rights reserved. (2018). Diabetes. They aren't caused by bumping into something, they don't usually feel tender when you touch them, and they take longer to heal. The pooling of blood causes a visible sign of a bruise on your skin (skin discoloration). Excess AIcohoI intake is a common cause of bruising. Aside from a physical exam to look at any bruises, your healthcare provider will likely ask you questions about your family medical history. Easy bruising may accompany symptoms related to other body systems including: Abdominal pain. That will make you feel better and keep the bruise from getting bigger. Vitamin K deficiency occurs due to a lack of fat in the diet or people with fat malabsorption. If you develop a blood clot, your doctor will probably test you for thrombophilia and may put you on blood thinners (anticoagulants). Even though theres blood pooling underneath your skin, you wont have any external bleeding unless your skin breaks open. Your liver is super important for producing the molecules that lead to blood clotting, which means it's also crucial for preventing bruises, explains Dr. Elliott. Read on to learn more about common causes, what to watch for, and when to see a doctor. Remove household hazards that you can trip over or bump into. Poor people (lack of fruits and vegetables in the diet). Losing weight without Accessed March 14, 2022. Learn more about bruises on dark skin here. Some medical conditions that can cause easy bruising include: While the occasional bruise isnt a cause for concern, easy bruising could be. They generally affect the back, legs, and hands. The most common cause of vitamin C deficiency is decreased intake as with: Vitamin K is essential for blood clotting. Platelets are a type of blood cell that prevent bleeding. (n.d.). Bleeding into the skin may cause only discoloration, or the spot may be swollen and tender to the touch. Should I have blood tests to see if a condition is causing the bruises? Some deficiencies include vitamin C deficiency and vitamin K deficiency. https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/muscle-contusion-bruise. It's not likely, but it's possible that your bruises are a sign of blood What We Know. As people get older, the skin becomes thinner and loses some of the protective fatty layer that helps cushion blood vessels from injury. This bleeding disorder is caused by a low platelet count. If you've been a sun worshipper all your life, you may notice your skin bruises more easily. DOI: 10.1136/bcr.08.2008.0750. 1998-2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Easy bruising: Why does it happen? If you notice this happening, don't stop taking your medication, but do talk to your doctor about it. More severe bruises might need treatment. ", Merck Manual: "Bruising and Bleeding," "Purpura Simplex. Repeat throughout the day. It happens to everyone. You don't recall bumping into anything, but lately you seem to be bruising frequently. Although the specific protein involved in this disorder is different than the one associated with hemophilia A, the conditions share the same symptoms. If you experience increased bruising, don't stop taking your medications. Corticosteroids are one of the first options, with a response rate of 60% within two weeks of treatment. Side effects: Anticoagulant medicines. A bruise, or contusion, is skin discoloration from damaged, leaking blood vessels underneath your skin. Randomly bruising easily? They include anti-platelet medications that inhibit clotting cells called platelets, loke aspirin and Plavix. You may also notice it takes a long time for cuts or scrapes to get better. Platelets are cells that help the blood to clot and stop bleeding. The bruises appear in unusual places, such as the face, buttocks, ears, chest, and head. 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