Skin which bruises easily

When you bump against an object, your body normally responds by forming clots to stop the bleeding, which prevents bruising. In cases of severe impact or trauma, bruising may be unavoidable. If you bruise easily, your inability to form clots may be the result of an underlying medical condition.

The formation of clots relies on good nutrition, a healthy liver, and healthy bone marrow. If any of these factors are slightly off, bruises can occur. While the occasional bruise is not normally a cause for concern, easy bruising could be.

If you notice more frequent bruising, working with your healthcare provider can help to determine the cause. Aside from a physical exam to look at any bruises, your healthcare provider will likely ask you questions about your family medical history. They may also order blood tests to measure your platelet levels and the time it takes your blood to clot. This can help determine how your body responds to minor injuries in which capillaries burst and form bruises.

Sometimes children may be more prone to bruising. As with adults, some medications and underlying conditions may be to blame. You should call your healthcare provider if your child experiences frequent, unexplained bruises along with:. In most cases, bruises go away on their own without care.

After several days, your body will reabsorb the blood that initially caused the discoloration. You can help treat the bruise to encourage quicker recovery.

Remember to put a barrier between the cold object and your bare skin. If an arm or leg is involved, elevate the limb and apply a cold compress for 15 minutes until the swelling is reduced. Never stop taking any medications on your own. Some medications require tapering, or gradually reducing, or their usage needs to be closely monitored.

While certain conditions and medications can increase bruising, you may still be able to prevent bruises. One method is to take extra care as you age. Skin in older adults is generally thinner, which can increase your chances of bruising easily. Getting the right nutrients can also help protect against easy bruising.

Try to eat foods containing vitamins C and K. This could indicate a serious condition that should be looked at right away. Your healthcare providers are required by law to ask you questions to make sure you are safe in your domestic situation.

As liver disease progresses , the liver may stop producing the proteins that help the blood clot. As a result, a person may experience excessive bleeding and easy bruising. 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. In addition to increased bleeding and bruising, a person may experience shortness of breath, numbness in the limbs, and ulcers, skin lumps, or purple spots on the skin.

The type of treatment depends on the severity of the vasculitis and which area of the body it affects. Several medications, including steroids, may help.

It causes purplish-red bruise-like lesions on the skin and is most likely to affect the arms and hands. In many cases, the lesions follow an injury to the skin. Gums that bleed easily when you eat or gently brush your teeth. A few examples are: Aspirin and other medicines called blood thinners that prevent blood clots. Also, taking a nonprescription medicine with a blood thinner may increase your risk of bruising and bleeding.

Medicines used to treat cancer. Steroids, such as prednisone. Symptoms of infection may include: Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness in or around the area. Red streaks leading from the area. Pus draining from the area. A fever. Symptoms of serious illness may include: A severe headache. A stiff neck. Mental changes, such as feeling confused or much less alert. Extreme fatigue to the point where it's hard for you to function.

Shaking chills. Symptoms of serious illness in a baby may include the following: The baby is limp and floppy like a rag doll.

The baby doesn't respond at all to being held, touched, or talked to. The baby is hard to wake up. Long-term alcohol and drug problems. Steroid medicines, which may be used to treat a variety of conditions. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy for cancer. Other medicines used to treat autoimmune disease. Medicines taken after organ transplant. Not having a spleen. Call Now Based on your answers, you need emergency care.

Seek Care Today Based on your answers, you may need care soon. Call your doctor today to discuss the symptoms and arrange for care. If you cannot reach your doctor or you don't have one, seek care today. If it is evening, watch the symptoms and seek care in the morning. If the symptoms get worse, seek care sooner. Seek Care Now Based on your answers, you may need care right away.

Call your doctor now to discuss the symptoms and arrange for care. If you cannot reach your doctor or you don't have one, seek care in the next hour. You do not need to call an ambulance unless: You cannot travel safely either by driving yourself or by having someone else drive you. You are in an area where heavy traffic or other problems may slow you down. Make an Appointment Based on your answers, the problem may not improve without medical care. Make an appointment to see your doctor in the next 1 to 2 weeks.

If appropriate, try home treatment while you are waiting for the appointment. If symptoms get worse or you have any concerns, call your doctor. Home Treatment Home Treatment If your bruise does not require an evaluation by a doctor, you may be able to use home treatment to help relieve pain, swelling, and stiffness.

Rest and protect a bruised area. Ice will reduce pain and swelling. Apply ice or cold packs immediately to prevent or minimize swelling. Apply the ice or cold pack for 10 to 20 minutes, 3 or more times a day. For the first 48 hours after an injury, avoid things that might increase swelling, such as hot showers, hot tubs, hot packs, or alcoholic beverages. After 48 to 72 hours, if swelling is gone, apply heat and begin gentle exercise with the aid of moist heat to help restore and maintain flexibility.

Some experts recommend alternating between hot and cold treatments. Compression , or wrapping the bruised area with an elastic bandage such as an Ace wrap , will help decrease swelling.

Don't wrap it too tightly, as this can cause more swelling below the affected area. Loosen the bandage if it gets too tight. Signs that the bandage is too tight include numbness, tingling, increased pain, coolness, or swelling in the area below the bandage.

Talk to your doctor if you think you need to use a wrap for longer than 48 to 72 hours. A more serious problem may be present. Elevate the bruised area on pillows while applying ice and anytime you are sitting or lying down. Try to keep the area at or above the level of your heart to help minimize swelling. Gently massage or rub the area to relieve pain and encourage blood flow. Do not massage the bruised area if it causes pain. Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label.

If the doctor gave you a prescription medicine for pain, take it as prescribed. If you are not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask your doctor if you can take an over-the-counter medicine. If desired, apply a natural product directly to the bruise.

Witch hazel may help heal damaged veins. Arnica may stimulate healing. Do not smoke or use other tobacco products. Smoking slows healing because it decreases blood supply and delays tissue repair. For more information, see the topic Quitting Smoking. Symptoms to watch for during home treatment Call your doctor if any of the following occur during home treatment: A bruise lasts longer than 2 weeks.

Signs of skin infection develop. Symptoms become more severe or frequent. New symptoms develop. Prevention Prevention You can't always prevent bruises , but most of the time bruises are not a cause for concern. If you take aspirin, other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs , or blood-thinning medicines anticoagulants , keep regular appointments with your doctor so that he or she can monitor your medicine dosages and make any necessary changes or adjustments.

Eat a variety of foods to avoid dietary deficiencies. Nutritional deficiencies of vitamins C, K, or B12, or folic acid can affect blood clotting. Include a daily selection of: Whole-grain and enriched breads, cereals, and grain products. Milk, cheese, and yogurt. Meats, poultry, fish, eggs, dried beans and peas, and tofu. Do not take dietary supplements that may increase bruising, particularly if you take a blood-thinning medicine.

Dietary supplements that may increase bruising include fish oil, vitamin E, garlic, ginger, and ginkgo biloba. Call your local child or adult protective agency, police, or clergy or a health professional such as a doctor, nurse, or counselor if you suspect abuse. Seek help if you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence.

Seek help if you have trouble controlling your anger with a child in your care. You can help your doctor diagnose and treat your condition by being prepared to answer the following questions: Do you have a personal or family history of bleeding disorders or bruising easily? Are you taking any prescription or nonprescription medicines?