Another indication of possible leukemia is lots of bruises with no indication as to a cause. (2018). Please note, we cannot prescribe controlled substances, diet pills, antipsychotics, or other abusable medications. Extensive bruising secondary to vitamin C deficiency. It is a traumatic injury slightly less severe than a bone fracture. But if you still find unusual bruises after switching up your diet or cutting back on OTC pain relievers, it may be time to consult a doctor. Sjukratilfelli og sjukdomseinkenni [Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type IV. NHLBI. What Are the Risk Factors for Random Bruising? The bruise doesnt heal within two weeks. Manypeople with medically unexplained symptoms, such as tiredness, pain andheart palpitations,also have depression or anxiety. But first, we need to look at the different types of bruises and what causes them. May occur following a lack of fresh fruit and vegetables over prolonged periods of time. Has an estimated prevalence of 1 in 15,000-20,000 and is generally inherited as an autosomal dominant condition. Pelvic fractures are typically the result of high impact injuries. An approach to investigation of easy bruising. This is a type of cancer that affects your blood as well as your bone marrow. Also runners or joggers toenail is one of the most common reasons for bruised toenails as the toe pushes against the front of the shoe while running or jogging. The fatty layer of our skin begins to thin as we get older. Also, as we get older, we tend to lose a little bit of our balance and coordination. However, if a person experiences other symptoms alongside random bruising, further investigation may be necessary. Peripheral vascular disease. WebMD. Serious liver disease can cause easy bruising because the liver cant produce enough blood clotting factors. Mayo Clinic Staff. Bruises often change colors as they heal. For others, the symptoms may be part of a poorly understood syndrome, such as: The fact that doctors are unable to find a condition causing these symptoms isn't unusual in medicine, and it doesn't mean that nothing can be done to help you. When the bruise turns yellow, its because more bilirubin is responsible for breaking down the blood and when it turns green, it is the action of biliverdin. Thrombocytopenia in pregnancy. It is known for being able to keep blood inside a blood vessel, even after an injury has occurred. If they do not, the bruise might be the underlying sign of a larger health issue. The ultra violet rays of the sun can lead to bruises under the skin. It means not enough normal blood cells are produced, which can cause anaemia, infections and bruising or bleeding. Medicine such asantidepressantscan be helpful, even if you're not depressed. If you notice that you have bruising after working out that is unexplained or the result of an injury, you should follow the RICE method to help the bruise heal quicker. It can be used as part of an ointment like the one described below. Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. Kawasaki disease Vitamins and minerals: What you should know about essential nutrients. Bruising is the most common injury sustained by children who have been subject to physical abuse. What are bruises? This damage causes the blood vessels to leak blood, leading to discoloration of the skin. Learn how we can help. Bruising of Legs: Causes, Remedies, and Prevention, Bruised Elbow (Elbow Contusion) Symptoms and Treatment Tips. Hydrocolloid bandages are used to treat open, superficial wounds and open pimples. Bruising occurs when blood becomes trapped under the skin, usually following an impact injury that damages small blood vessels. Vitamin K is one of the nutrients that help blood to clot. Search. To learn more, please visit our. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. They are sometimes known as"medically unexplained symptoms" when they last for more than a few weeks, but doctors can't finda problem with the bodythat may be the cause. Bruises develop from damage to blood vessels that reside under the skin. They can vary in color, and skin color may affect the appearance of a bruise. Other medications can cause excess capillary fragility and decreased platelets, all of which can lead to unexplained bruising. Rochelle Collins, DO, is board-certified in family medicine. First of all, lets look at what bruises are and what is the main cause of random bruising. Some of the warning signs that a person needs medical attention include bruising that: causes an arm or leg to become numb causes loss of function of a joint, limb or muscle keeps growing in size. Read More Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone. Using intervals of ice and heat can help ease the pain of a bruise and get the healing process started. (n.d.). Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone. This bleeding disorder is a lifelong condition. However, random, sporadic bruising may be a symptom of something less obvious, especially if there are other symptoms. Case study and clinical findings]. How Viagra became a new 'tool' for young men, Ankylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or Fiction, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0019483216300074, https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/bernard-soulier-syndrome, https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/side-effects/bleeding-bruising, https://www.leukaemiacare.org.uk/support-and-information/latest-from-leukaemia-care/blog/spotting-the-difference-bruising-in-leukaemia-vs-ordinary-bruising/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI6dC6woaY6gIV0u7tCh1REQm5EAAYASAAEgLGyPD_BwE, https://ashpublications.org/blood/article/130/21/2271/36666/Thrombocytopenia-in-pregnancy, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5394486/, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK536983/, https://online.nursing.georgetown.edu/the-forensic-science-behind-bruise-healing-infographic/, https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/factor-v-deficiency, https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/6481/gardner-diamond-syndrome, https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/immune-thrombocytopenia, https://bestpractice.bmj.com/topics/en-gb/632, https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/prednisolone/, https://www.gosh.nhs.uk/conditions-and-treatments/conditions-we-treat/septicaemia, https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/are-you-taking-too-much-anti-inflammatory-medication-2018040213540, https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/anticoagulants/side-effects/, https://liverfoundation.org/for-patients/about-the-liver/the-progression-of-liver-disease/, https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/septicemia, https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/vwd/facts.html, https://aakp.org/whats-causing-me-to-bruise-so-easily-and-what-i-do-to-prevent-it/. This can lead to a decrease in blood flow, causing more strain on your blood cells and bruising for no reason, especially in the legs. See a doctor if you suspect your symptoms are a result of von Willebrand disease. What Is the Treatment for Random Bruising? For these, please consult a doctor (virtually or in person). Our blood naturally clots to prevent excessive bleeding related to an injury. People who have cancer and are struggling to eat may also experience vitamin deficiencies that impact the bloods ability to clot. Bruises naturally change color over time from red, through purple, to yellow or, Bruises happen when an injury causes damage to blood vessels below the skin. Bruises that are caused by underlying health conditions are addressed by treating the specific condition or disease. Sporadic bruising usually isnt cause for worry. This article will expand on factors in and causes of random bruising and accompanying symptoms. The National Cancer Institute says that chemotherapy can cause random bruising, as well as tiny purple or red spots on your skin.20, An unexplained bruise on your breast that doesnt go away could be a sign of inflammatory breast cancer. Rev Endocr Metab Disord. Along with the discoloration associated with a bruise, hematomas can also cause the area to feel hard or firm to the touch. Unfortunately, as we get older, getting unexplained bruises becomes more of a fact of life due to skin changes and medications. Thrombophilia means that your blood has an increased tendency to clot. Bleeding disorders may cause large bruises to develop without any explanation. This is due to weakening blood vessels that are more prone to breakage even with slight injury to the area. Hemophilia A and hemophilia B are hereditary conditions that cause blood not to clot as easy or as much as other people. Taking certain medications and growing older are often at the root of the problem. Low platelet count (thrombocytopenia). Acanthosis nigricans is a condition that can develop in people living with diabetes (most often connected with type 2 diabetes) where there is too much insulin in the blood stream. Common medically unexplained symptoms include: About 1 in 4 people who see a GP have physical symptoms that cannot be explained. After a few hours, the blood loses oxygen, and the bruise turns bluish in color. Vitamin K. Health A-Z NHS services Live Well Mental health Care and support Pregnancy . You can read about these treatments in my article on how to get rid of bruises naturally. Most often, a ruptured spleen is caused by blunt force trauma. Bruising: Spontaneous signs of bruising (ecchymoses) can occur after taking aspirin or Aleve (naproxen) or with certain blood or liver disorders. Required for collagen production, boosting the immune system, and maintaining antioxidant activity, vitamin C is versatile and vital to health. It is rare in adults, generally occurring in the neonatal period. Bruises are common and usually disappear with time. Other symptoms may include weight loss . However, medicine isn't always the answer painkillers or sedatives, for example,may lead to dependence. The bruise is caused when blood cells are damaged, and blood leaks into the top layers of the skin. People with this condition bruise easily, with bleeding from small blood vessels under the skin. People with low counts of blood platelets often bruise easily because there are fewer platelets in the blood to repair damaged blood vessels. It may also result from pricking the skin to test your blood sugar or injecting insulin. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Iron deficiency anemia. Warm applications tend to dissolve this type of clot. Mayo Clinic Staff. Doctors will check a woman's platelet levels throughout a pregnancy term, but bruising could be a symptom of gestational thrombocytopenia, which leads to a low platelet . Allow the mixture to simmer for approximately 30 minutes. As a result, hemophilia sufferers bleed longer and bruise easier. Viral infections can also cause random bruising on legs that is unexplained. should i be concerned? If your blood cells arent healthy, your body wont be able to get the oxygen that it needs to function. Bruises are often harmless, but they can sometimes indicate a medical condition that requires medical treatment. Skin manifestations of Cushing's syndrome. J Am Acad Dermatol. However, it should not appear in isolation and may appear alongside fatigue, appetite loss, abdominal pain, and nausea. For potential or actual medical emergencies, immediately call 911 or your local emergency service. If you think you have an underlying condition that's been missed by your doctor, you can ask for a second opinion. any help? There are many natural home remedies you can use to reduce inflammation, relieve pain, and help bruises heal faster. A bruise is also known as a contusion. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Cushing syndrome causes the skin to thin, resulting in easy bruising. Whats Causing Broken Blood Vessels on My Face? Vasculitis is an autoimmune disease that causes the inflammation of the blood vessels themselves. Bruises typically heal on their own within two weeks of the initial injury. Treating pain with hot and cold can be extremely effective for a number of different conditions and injuries. The syndrome causes easy bruising because it can lead to thinning skin. This may help speed the healing process because it lowers inflammation and prevents more blood from pooling in the area. 2006 Oct; 65(10): 13411345. Know the symptoms and what to do if you experience them. Learn more about bruises on dark skin here. Inflammatory breast cancer. If your bruising is tied to medication overuse, you may also experience: If you suspect that your bruising is a result of OTC or prescription medication use, see a doctor. Fraser IM, et al. Usually, bruises disappear in about two weeks. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. Cancer can cause unexplained bruising in two different ways. Random bruising could be a sign of a health issue that should be checked out. MedlinePlus. Sex can also affect bruising as women tend to bruise more easily than men. This can be done by wearing protective gear while you play sports or engage in other physical activities that could lead to bruising. This can result in random bruising or larger bruises from trauma to the skin.3. When blood doesnt clot quickly, more of it pools beneath the skin and forms a bruise. But what does unexplained bruising mean? Hemophilia A is a genetic condition that affects the bloods ability to clot. (n.d.). Von Willebrand disease is a genetic disorder that affects your bloods ability to clot. Angelica Bottaro is a writer with expertise in many facets of health including chronic disease, Lyme disease, nutrition as medicine, and supplementation. That is one reason why some people shouldnt take turmeric regularly for medicinal purposes. Red spots, also called blood spots, can look similar to bruises, although they dont develop because of an injury. People who have cancers in parts of the body responsible for blood production, like the liver, may also experience unusual clotting. (n.d.). I have a small bruising on my stomach with a small lump under it. Management typically involves psychiatric treatment. (2016). The skin is also thin, fragile, and easily damaged. Medications such as anticoagulants, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and corticosteroids reduce the bloods ability to clot. (2018). Sjukratilfelli og sjukdomseinkenni [Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type IV. Skin discoloration (red to purple, black, brown or yellow). When your blood takes longer to clot, more of it leaks from your blood vessels and accumulates under your skin. Dr. Blahd says that if you have no other symptoms, then random bruising is nothing to worry about. Common medically unexplained symptoms include: pains in the muscles or joints back pain headaches tiredness feeling faint chest pain heart palpitations stomach problems About 1 in 4 people who see a GP have physical symptoms that cannot be explained. For example, being in the sun too long, aging, or a vitamin deficiency can weaken small blood vessels near the skin's surface. If you arent getting enough vitamin C, your skin may begin to bruise easily, resulting in random bruising. Eden, R. E., & Coviello, J. M. (2020). Mayo Clinic Staff. 2008 Nov; 88(11): 12541264. Another method of treating an unexpected bruise is using essential oils. In some people, random bruising may be impacted by their genes simply because of how they are physically built. DOI: 10.1136/bcr.08.2008.0750. This doesn't mean the symptoms are faked or"all in the head" they're real and can affect your ability to function properly. The aim of CBT is tohelp you to manage your symptoms by enabling you to understand links between your symptoms, worries, feelings and how you cope. Unexplained bruising on your legs is one of the signs of advanced diabetes. I would recommend being seen. This may make your skin more susceptible to bruising. Autoimmune disorders occur when the body produces antibodies that attack its own tissues rather than fight infections. For example, vitamin C is used by the body to strengthen blood vessels. Most bruising occurs as a result of some kind of injury. Add the olive oil to a pan and drop in the comfrey leaves. This can also help you to determine if you should see a doctor about unexplained bruises that have appeared on your body. Liver disease may also make legs swell and cause intestinal bleeding.18. Take the mixture and pour it into a muslin bag and squeeze it into a pan. Experiencing random bruising can be alarming, but it doesnt always warrant a visit to your doctor. Vitamin C supplements are also used to help reduce random bruising in patients suffering from skin diseases that cause bruising.5, According to MedlinePlus, vitamin K plays a major role in blood clotting. Older people tend to bruise easily because of changes to their skin as they age. Ginger should also be used with care if you take medication to thin the blood. Other symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer are painful breasts that suddenly swell, itching, and nipple changes or discharge.21, Another type of cancer that can cause easy bruising is leukemia. How long does it take for a bruise to heal? Dr. John Cunha on eMedicineHealth explains that discoloration on the skin is caused by tiny blood vessels breaking under the skin. Get prescriptions or refills through a video chat, if the doctor feels the prescriptions are medically appropriate. 2004-2023 Healthline Media UK Ltd, Brighton, UK, a Red Ventures Company. While kidney disease can cause changes in the blood cells that can cause easy bruising, many of the other medical issues, medications, and treatments that you have to take for the disease can also cause issues with the blood and bruising. Pain management medicines such as ibuprofen or naproxen, Radiation therapy of the bone marrow or pelvis, You dont know where the bruises are coming from and they occur regularly. Thrombocytopenia is a condition that affects blood clotting and can be caused by chickenpox, rubella, and mumps. Vitamin C: Fact sheet for consumers. When there is a lack of vitamin K, blood can pool easier and lead to bruising. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Easy bruising and bleeding. People that are active should take special precautions while participating in physical activities to prevent injuries that could lead to bruises. How much exercise you should do will depend on your current health and capabilities. Chronic skin fragility of aging: current concepts in the pathogenesis, recognition, and management of dermatoporosis. Page last reviewed: 12 July 2021 Intensive exercising can cause unexplained bruises in the parts of your body under stress. Platelets are cells that help the blood to clot and stop bleeding. Bleeding Diathesis: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments. Certain medications and supplements can cause the blood to thin and result in random bruising on the body. If you notice abnormal bleeding under your skin after a sunburn, you should call your doctor for a checkup.9. White, G. (2008). Learn more about what the colors of a bruise mean here. (2017). Sun-damaged skin. See a doctor or other healthcare provider right away if you experience any of the following: Last medically reviewed on November 9, 2018. Some cancer treatments can lead to easy bruising on the body. WebMD. (2018). Bleeding Disorders, American Society of Hematology; http://www.hematology.org/Patients/Bleeding.aspx, last accessed August 28, 2017. Bruising (Hematoma), Chemocare; http://chemocare.com/chemotherapy/side-effects/bruising.aspx, last accessed August 28, 2017. American Society of Hematology. This occurs in 4.4% to 11.6% of pregnancies. However, the report recommends that any unexplained bruising on an older person be investigated to rule out the possibly of abuse. Without enough platelets, your blood clots more slowly than normal. That being said, you should see your doctor if: Its difficult to avoid bruising completely, especially when the cause is unknown. This can result in bruising easily on your legs or other areas of your body. If you are able to, you can also keep the bruise elevated above the heart to prevent further blood pooling. People who have this condition have joints that move far beyond the typical range of motion and stretchy skin. Connect with a U.S. board-certified doctor by text or video anytime, anywhere. The red coloring is due to the fresh blood near the surface of the skin. (2017). You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. Experts say prevention programs are needed. Women tend to bruise more easily than men. Meanwhile, vitamin K deficiency can contribute to significant bleeding, poor bone development, and cardiovascular disease. The lump could be a hematoma which is a lump of coagulated blood. Side effects: Anticoagulant medicines. Some people may be more susceptible to random bruising than others, and depending on the circumstance, you may want to see a healthcare professional. American Cancer Society. Add the beeswax to the mixture and stir over low heat until the beeswax melts. Doctors will check a womans platelet levels throughout a pregnancy term, but bruising could be a symptom of gestational thrombocytopenia, which leads to a low platelet count. Start with an ice pack wrapped in a towel (not directly on the skin). Although diabetes itself doesnt cause bruising, it can slow your healing time and allow bruises to linger longer than normal. Other common causes of blood spots include low blood platelets, blood clotting disorders, inflammation in the blood vessels, and vitamin C deficiency. It can cause excessive bleeding which leads to easy bruising. The forensic science behind bruise healing [Infographic]. If diabetes has already been diagnosed, your bruising may simply be a result of slow wound healing. Native to Europe and Asia, comfrey is a type of shrub that contains allantoin, a chemical that helps skin cells grow and can help speed up the healing process.
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