(n.d.). If your symptoms seem to be caused by a problem with the nervous system, you may be referred to a neurologist (a specialist in disorders of the nervous system). Bruising often occurs when blood vessels beneath the skin incur. What You Need to Know About Living With Low Platelets. If youve recently overdone it at the gym, you may develop bruises around the affected muscles. 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. NHLBI. This can also help you to determine if you should see a doctor about unexplained bruises that have appeared on your body.
Causes | Background information | Bruising | CKS | NICE Bruises are common and usually disappear with time. If it persists, see your doctor! Understanding Bone Bruise or Marrow Edema. Chest pain, sudden loss of vision or speech, and severe stomach pain need immediate medical attention. Top answers from doctors based on your search: Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone. When a person bruises easily, this can lead to random and unexplained bruises from everyday activities that would typically not cause bruising. Before taking any supplements that thin the blood, you should speak to your health care provider if you are already taking medication to prevent blood clots. Most cases of random bruising are nothing to worry about. Also, leukemia can often be accompanied by unexplained bruising and bleeding. People who have hemophilia B are missing a clotting factor called factor IX. A blunt trauma injury can cause your spleen to rupture. Required for collagen production, boosting the immune system, and maintaining antioxidant activity, vitamin C is versatile and vital to health. However, taking anticoagulants and antibiotics that interfere with vitamin K production may cause deficiencies. Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is a group of inherited conditions that affect the connective tissues. For example, being in the sun too long, aging, or a vitamin deficiency can weaken small blood vessels near the skin's surface. Lupus is a chronic inflammatory disease where the bodys immune system attacks its own tissues and organs. Learn how we can help. If you are able to, you can also keep the bruise elevated above the heart to prevent further blood pooling. I have a small bruising on my stomach with a small lump under it. If you find yourself in pain because of the bruise, you can apply a cold compress and keep the bruise elevated above the heart. Excessive insulin can trigger hyper pigmentation in the areas of the body where there are natural folds of skin, such as the groin, armpits, and neck. Signs and symptoms of non-hodgkin lymphoma. This can even cause permanent discoloration to your skin. Regular exercisewill help keep you fit andmany people find that it also boosts their mood(read about exercise for depression). Platelets are cells that help the blood to clot and stop bleeding. 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. Vitamins perform many important functions in your blood. American Cancer Society. Finally, the hemoglobin will break down and release a chemical called bilirubin, which will cause the bruise to turn yellow. Without enough vitamin C in the body, random bruising can occur. what would cause this? Icelandic.
Common Causes of Unexplained Bruising | Buoy Other symptoms of vitamin K deficiency include: If you suspect that your bruising is a result of deficiency, see a healthcare provider. A fresh bruise will usually appear red, blue, or purple. Medications such as anticoagulants, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and corticosteroids reduce the bloods ability to clot. One cause of random bruising on legs or bruises that appear after a minor injury is a vitamin deficiency. While not everyone will experience bruising after a bug bite, it is entirely possible that you develop a small contusion if you get bitten by an insect. American Society of Hematology. Massage the mixture carefully into the bruised area (not too hard or you will cause further damage in the bruise). Generally, planning some pleasurable personal time to unwind should help whatever helps you relax,whether it'syoga classes, swimming, running,meditation orwalking in the countryside. According to Dr. Neha Pathak on WebMD, some common viral infections that can cause unexplained bruising are chickenpox, mumps, and rubella. See a doctor if you suspect your symptoms are a result of von Willebrand disease. People who have cancer often experience excessive bleeding and bruising. But what about more subtle symptoms? trom the flu, they shold not be bruised. Other common symptoms of a bleeding disorder include: Sepsis is an infection that causes a buildup of toxins in the blood or tissues. Why do I bruise do easily? Low platelet count (thrombocytopenia). ? Anticoagulants (blood thinners) and over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications like aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil), and naproxen (Aleve) affect your bloods ability to clot. After a few hours, the blood loses oxygen, and the bruise turns bluish in color. Search. However, it should not appear in isolation and may appear alongside fatigue, appetite loss, abdominal pain, and nausea. Cines, D. B., & Levine, L. D. (2017). Thrombophilia means that your blood has an increased tendency to clot. Von Willebrand disease is a genetic disorder that affects your bloods ability to clot. You and the GP may identify some lifestyle changes and goals that you both think will help relieve your symptoms, such as regular physical activity and better rest. While there's no evidence of a specific genetic component that drives random bruising, studies have shown that people who bruise easily often have close family members who suffer from easy bruising. Vitamin K supplements are often given to prevent unexplained bruising in people who take blood thinning medication.6. Researchers are expressing concerns over the number of bicycle accidents involving drugs. We avoid using tertiary references. For potential or actual medical emergencies, immediately call 911 or your local emergency service. Bruises that take longer than usual to disappear are another concern. 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. It's important toconsider whetherany medicine you're taking may be causing your symptoms for example,taking painkillers long term can lead to headaches. Although diabetes itself doesnt cause bruising, it can slow your healing time and allow bruises to linger longer than normal. Anyone who suspects liver or kidney disease should consult a doctor.
Cancer - Signs and symptoms - NHS should i be concerned? This is a type of cancer that affects your blood as well as your bone marrow. Along with frequent unexplained bruising on your legs, diabetes causes increased thirst and urination, weight loss, nausea, and abdominal pain. 2017;22(7):365-366. doi:10.1093/pch/pxx139, Wolpert K, Szadkowski M, Miescier M, Hewes HA. How much exercise you should do will depend on your current health and capabilities. Why is my stomach bruising for no reason? Bruising usually occurs as a result of accidental trauma, but may be non-accidental. Also, as we get older, we tend to lose a little bit of our balance and coordination. Easy bruising after minimal or no trauma is thought to occur due to platelet dysfunction and capillary fragility. According to Dr. Debra Jaliman on WebMD, vigorous exercise like lifting weights or intensive training can cause tiny tears in blood vessels under the skin.10. This means that elderly people are more prone to random bruising than younger adults.3, According to a report prepared by the University of California, elderly people may also be less stable on their feet and can bump into objects frequently causing accidental bruising. They may prescribe iron tablets or other medication as well as help you modify your diet to meet your nutritional needs.
Bruise colors: Causes, timescale, and when to see a doctor Bruises often change colors as they heal. Anticoagulants used for dialysis, as well as the anemia caused by kidney disease, can cause low platelet production. Chamomile essential oil, and Roman chamomile, in particular, is often used for its anti-inflammatory properties. Viral infections can also cause random bruising on legs that is unexplained. However, the report recommends that any unexplained bruising on an older person be investigated to rule out the possibly of abuse. Vitamin deficiencies of various sorts can lead to unexplained bruises. J Am Acad Dermatol. Can poor sleep impact your weight loss goals? Mayo Clinic Staff. If you are taking blood-thinning medications, you may find that even a slight knock on your leg or arm can easily cause bruising. 2023 Dotdash Media, Inc. All rights reserved, Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Dr. Charles Silberberg, says that a person with advanced kidney disease may also have drowsiness, numbness in hands and feet, breath odor, blood in the stool, and/or vomiting in the mornings.19, Some cancer treatments can affect blood platelets causing easy bruising and bleeding that is difficult to stop. In this article, you will find out what could be causing random bruising on your legs and other body parts, and in some cases, how to get rid of the bruise quickly. However, random, sporadic bruising may be a symptom of something less obvious, especially if there are other symptoms. MedlinePlus. Treatingan associatedpsychological problem can often relieve the physical symptoms. Bruising can happen more easily if a person uses certain medications or has a health condition or. Although random or sudden bruising does not necessarily mean that a person has a medical condition, it may still be worth discussing with a doctor. Is my bruising normal? Signs and symptoms of acute lymphocytic leukemia. By using our website, you consent to our use of cookies. 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. The first is that the disease itself may cause the bruise. This may make your skin more susceptible to bruising. There are some hereditary conditions and bleeding disorders that can cause issues with bruising. Many people have persistent physical complaints, such as dizziness or pain, that don't appear to be symptoms of a medical condition. Bruises develop when capillaries burst after an impact, while blood clots occur when an injury damages blood vessels. However, bruises arent typically something to worry about, and they tend to heal on their own in a few days or weeks. Physical symptoms can cause depression and anxiety, and these can in turn make the physical symptoms worse, creatinga vicious circle.
Vasculitis - NHS Angelica Bottaro is a professional freelance writer with over 5 years of experience. But, there are a couple of essential oils that work particularly well with bruises. If a person has non-hodgkins lymphoma, especially in their bone marrow, it can reduce blood cell count and blood platelet count leading to clotting issues and random bruising. 2012;98(6):355-359. Symptoms can occur at any age, but most severe cases tend to occur during childhood. WebMD. Sign Up for the Latest Health News and Tips, Home General Health Unexplained Bruising: Causes, Diabetes Connection & the Life-Cycle of a Bruise. Some deficiencies include vitamin C deficiency and vitamin K deficiency. For many people, reaching an older age also brings with it medications and medical conditions that make it easier for your body to bruise. Bleeding Disorders, American Society of Hematology; http://www.hematology.org/Patients/Bleeding.aspx, last accessed August 28, 2017. Cancer. Usually it is from unnoticed trauma or accidents. Unfortunately, as we get older, getting unexplained bruises becomes more of a fact of life due to skin changes and medications. Signs and Symptoms of Abnormal Bruising in Children, The 9 Best Vitamins and Supplements for Skin Health. A GP will aim to rule out all the possible conditions that might be causing your symptoms. any help? Widespread bruising or petechial rash would be concernin Dr. John Munshower and another doctor agree. Other common causes of blood spots include low blood platelets, blood clotting disorders, inflammation in the blood vessels, and vitamin C deficiency. 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. Bruises are often harmless, but they can sometimes indicate a medical condition that requires medical treatment. Also known as blood poisoning, sepsis requires immediate emergency treatment. Several medicines are also associated with spontaneo Dr. Gurmukh Singh and another doctor agree. The colour of the bumps and patches usually changes and fades, like a bruise. Signs and symptoms of vasculitis. The fatty layer of our skin begins to thin as we get older. Take the mixture and pour it into a muslin bag and squeeze it into a pan. People can prevent vitamin deficiencies by making dietary changes and taking supplements. White, G. (2008). Search the NHS website. could that be the cause of it. AAFP. (2018). it is not painful. WebMD. When you strain a muscle, you injure muscle tissue deep under the skin. NHS. It aids in the delivery of oxygen throughout the body to cells and without adequate oxygen, skin becomes more likely to bruise. Amitrano, L. et al., Coagulation disorders in liver disease, Seminars in Liver Disease, February 2002; 22(1): 83-96. Video chat with a U.S. board-certified doctor 24/7 in less than one minute for common issues such as: colds and coughs, stomach symptoms, bladder infections, rashes, and more. Please note, we cannot prescribe controlled substances, diet pills, antipsychotics, or other abusable medications. Article Sources Iron deficiency anemia. (n.d.). Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. A hematoma is what you might refer to as a goose egg. A lot of damaged blood cells collects and clots under the skin, raising it into a lump or bump. This may help speed the healing process because it lowers inflammation and prevents more blood from pooling in the area. Random or unexplained bruising on legs can happen for a number of reasons. What are bruises? When certain blood vessels are damaged, blood platelets bind together to repair the issue. Here's what might be causing them and how theyre treated. The possible benefits of medicine always need to be weighed against the potential side effects. A 15-year-old boy with anemia and leg bruising. Some people also bruise more easily than others and a seemingly insignificant knock may leave a black and blue dark patch on their skin. But if you have a something on the horizon where a bruise might be a drawback, you may want to know how to heal a bruise a little bit quicker. 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. Not understanding the causecan make them even more distressing and difficult to cope with. This doesn't mean the symptoms are faked or"all in the head" they're real and can affect your ability to function properly. This causes blood from damaged veins and capillaries to collect near the surface of the skin. But first, we need to look at the different types of bruises and what causes them. An approach to investigation of easy bruising.
Massage the oil into the bruised area (again, not too hard). Also, UV rays can contribute to the dermatoporosis effect in the skin. much larger than a dime. People who have hemophilia A are missing an important clotting factor, factor VIII, resulting in excessive bleeding and bruising. Bruising: Spontaneous signs of bruising (ecchymoses) can occur after taking aspirin or Aleve (naproxen) or with certain blood or liver disorders. Read our. This can result in bruising easily on your legs or other areas of your body. As the healing stage continues, the blood in the bruise will break down further, and the hemoglobin will release a compound called biliverdin. Most bruises are nothing to worry about and will heal within a couple of weeks.
The warning signs of blood cancer | Patient Noble, J. M., & Patterson, M. C. (2020). Vitamin K is needed to help blood clot properly and prevent random bruising. Therefore, treatment options will vary widely if you are experiencing bruising because of a health condition. (2016).
Easy bruising: Why does it happen? - Mayo Clinic The red coloring is due to the fresh blood near the surface of the skin. People with sepsis often develop a cluster of tiny blood spots, resembling pinpricks in the skin (petechiae) or purple areas (purpura). All rights reserved. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. (2017). Repeat this two or three times a day until the bruise has healed. Depending on the severity of the trauma that has caused the bruise in the first place, the average bruise will last somewhere between two to four weeks. For the most part, a bruise will heal on its own within two to four weeks. By Angelica Bottaro If your blood cells arent healthy, your body wont be able to get the oxygen that it needs to function. There are several nutrient deficiencies associated with easy or random bruising, including: Although vitamin deficiencies can lead to random bruising across the entire body, one case report found the bruising to be localized to the legs. WebMD.
Certain health conditions, medications, and even inherited disorders can cause random bruising.
Unexplained bruising Swelling in the abdomen Spider-like red spots on your skin Enlarged breasts Fatigue Confusion Yellowing of skin and eyes Vomiting blood Dark stools Your liver has many functions, including helping in digestion, removing waste from the body, and producing certain proteins. A ruptured Achilles tendon is not uncommon for athletes and can cause a great deal of pain.
It also explains bruising in pregnancy and when to see a doctor. If unexplained . If your skin shows signs of a sunburn, like reddened skin, skin tender to touch, and blisters, you can get relief from sunburn using natural remedies like aloe vera, honey, witch hazel, or oatmeal. The syndrome causes easy bruising because it can lead to thinning skin. The RICE method for getting rid of a bruise is:11. But what does unexplained bruising mean? If youre undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatments, you may have low blood platelet counts (thrombocytopenia). Experts say prevention programs are needed. Many essential oils are used to treat various injuries and maladies. Mayo Clinic Staff. Mayo Clinic Staff. A bruise usually starts off as a black and blue patch of skin and gradually turns green or yellow as it heals.1, You may find that the bruises on your body are painful at first but they may start to itch as they heal. Bruising in leukaemia VS ordinary bruising. There are various risk factors associated with random and easy bruising, such as genetics, age, and sex. 7 signs and symptoms not to ignore. If you're in pain, a pharmacist can recommend: stronger painkillers MayoClinic. Harvard Health Publishing Harvard Medical School. Chemotherapy, for example, can cause changes to the blood platelets, making them easier to strain and break, causing bruising. Angelica Bottaro is a writer with expertise in many facets of health including chronic disease, Lyme disease, nutrition as medicine, and supplementation. Sex can also affect bruising as women tend to bruise more easily than men. This essential oil mixture works rather well if it is applied right after a round of ice or cold therapy. Skin manifestations of Cushing's syndrome. 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. So, this makes it easier for the body to bruise. According to doctors from the Mayo Clinic, aspirin, some antibiotics, and anticoagulant medications can cause clotting problems. The most common symptom of non-Hodgkin lymphoma is painless swelling in the lymph nodes, which are located in the neck, groin, and armpit. Other medications can cause excess capillary fragility and decreased platelets, all of which can lead to unexplained bruising. Sunburn can take a long time to heal and its effects can be long-lasting. 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. Ann Rheum Dis. Dr. William Blahd on WebMD says that if your parents bruised easily, there is a greater chance that random bruising will affect you as well.7. Extensive bruising secondary to vitamin C deficiency. Knowing the reason for the appearance of mysterious bruises can help to prevent them in the future. In many cases, unexplained or random bruises arent a cause for concern and will likely disappear on their own in a couple of weeks. The Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology reported that ascorbic acid (vitamin C) helps to strengthen blood vessels and prevent them breaking. However, if a person experiences other symptoms alongside random bruising, further investigation may be necessary. Pelvic fractures are typically the result of high impact injuries. Bruises. Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone. (2018). Bruising is the most common injury sustained by children who have been subject to physical abuse. Vora, A., & Makris, M. (2001). 4.9k views Answered >2 years ago. 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. Bruising in the geriatric population. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Cancer. Why do women bruise more easily than men? In some people, random bruising may be impacted by their genes simply because of how they are physically built. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. Shmerling, R. H. (2018). Bruises happen to all of us, and there is no way to avoid them. 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. Vitamin deficiencies of various sorts can lead to unexplained bruises. There are several different bleeding disorders that can cause a person to bruise randomly, including: Nutrients are important for all bodily functions, and not getting enough vitamins and minerals can cause various health issues. Experiencing random bruising can be alarming, but it doesnt always warrant a visit to your doctor. Diabetes is a metabolic condition that affects your bodys ability to produce or use insulin. To learn more, please visit our. Also, supplements like ginkgo biloba, ginger, turmeric, St Johns Wort have blood-thinning properties and may make you bruise easily. Pediatr Emerg Care. Bruises, Cleveland Clinic; https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/bruises, last accessed August 28, 2017. People who take blood thinners bruise more easily. Random bruising may happen without a clear cause or injury. For example, a lack of vitamin C can lead to scurvy which causes unexplained bruising and bleeding.