They have experienced no trauma, and the bruises they have are large and appear frequently. According to BMJ Best Practice, surveys suggest that somewhere between 12 percent and 55 percent of people have some form of easy bruising. Bruising easily may be due to physical activity, aging, sun damage, or underlying health conditions. Several cancers that affect the blood cells can also cause random bruising. The symptoms of this condition include thrombocytopenia, which lowers blood platelet counts and leads to bleeding and bruising. Some cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy, could increase a person’s risk of bleeding and bruising.
- When collagen production declines, the dermis — the middle layer of skin that makes up 90% of skin’s thickness — shrinks.
- Additionally, heavy drinkers usually get most of their calories from alcohol.
- Alcoholics may also have darker bruises due to the increased amount of blood in their body.
- Let’s break down the mystery of these bruises and learn to take better care of your body.
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New Target for Blood Cancer Treatment
The bruises often have tell-tale patterns, such as ligature marks or grip marks. The doctor may also perform other diagnostic tests, including blood tests, to rule out any serious underlying causes of bruising. VWD is very rare, affecting around 1% of the United States population.
When to see a doctor for easy bruising?
As a service to our readers, University Health News offers a vast archive of free digital content. Please note the date published or last update on all articles. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician. If you bleed a lot, you may need to get fluids through a vein or a blood transfusion. But when you bruise, your vessels are literally injured or broken in a sense, and blood pools bruising easily alcohol around those vessels and rises to the skin. That vasodilation also happens to be responsible for the flushed sensation of heat you sometimes get in your face when you drink.
Vitamin Deficiencies May Cause You to Bruise Easily
Your body needs iron to make hemoglobin, which helps blood carry oxygen throughout the body. Symptoms of anemia can be severe fatigue, dizziness, or shortness of breath, so watch out for these and see a doctor to get your iron levels tested if you think something’s up. FYI, people with heavy alcohol rehab periods and those who are pregnant or breastfeeding are more prone to an iron deficiency, according to the American Society of Hematology. You might also get bruises more often if you have issues with your platelets or those cells involved in the blood vessel healing process. Platelets are crucial for clotting (stopping a bleed), says Dr. Vyas.
What are some home remedies for minor bruises?
In other cases, the bruising can be a symptom of easily treated nutrient deficiencies. It’s important to see a healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis and treatment, even if the bruises typically go away in a week or two. Ever looked down at your arm or leg and wondered, “Where did that bruise come from? ” A bruise, or contusion, is the body’s normal response to damaged, leaking blood vessels under the skin, without a break in the skin. Bruising is a response to injury — like bumping against a sharp corner — but there are other conditions that can cause bruising or increase the risk. Bruising easily can happen to anyone at any age, but people assigned female at birth are generally at higher risk.
- Alcohol impairs coordination, weakens blood vessels, and affects the liver’s ability to produce clotting factors.
- «There are many genetic blood abnormalities that can cause easy bruising,» Dr. Kappel says.
- As a result, you’ll enjoy better sleep, improved mood and energy, and fewer wellness issues.
- Sometimes, people easily bruise due to physical activity, age, sun damage, or underlying health conditions.
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Bioflavonoids, often found alongside vitamin C in fruits and vegetables, enhance its effects and improve blood vessel integrity. These compounds reduce inflammation and strengthen capillary walls, making them less prone to rupture. Common bioflavonoids include quercetin, rutin, and hesperidin. Gardner-Diamond syndrome is a rare condition that sees people experience episodes of unexplained, painful, and spontaneous bruising. It is most common in Caucasian women who have mental illness or emotional stress. These chemicals can trigger the blood clotting process and reduce blood flow to the limbs and internal organs.
Bruising easily can result from several things, including being active, using certain treatments, or blood-related health conditions. You can treat minor bruises with home remedies like ice and rest. For more severe issues or changes with bruises, consult a healthcare provider to find out what treatments may be best.
Treatment
Doctors diagnose the cause of easy bruising by obtaining a thorough personal and family medical history and performing a physical exam. They may ask you to provide a list of all your medications to identify possible culprits. Your provider may order blood tests to check for vitamin deficiencies and clotting abnormalities.