Many people bruise more easily as they age, but other conditions or even nutritional deficiencies can play a role, too.
Image Credit: lolostock/iStock/GettyImages You’re probably no stranger to bruises — just ask the corner of your coffee table. But if you’ve started noticing bruises more often, either ones that form following the slightest acts of klutziness or seemingly out of the (black and) blue, you may be wondering if an underlying health issue is the culprit.
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Bruising easily can happen to anyone at any age, but people assigned female at birth are generally at higher risk. "Men commonly have thicker skin and their bodies produce more collagen, which makes their blood vessels stronger and less prone to damage," Janice Johnston, MD, co-founder and chief medical officer of U.S. healthcare plan Redirect Health, tells LIVESTRONG.com.
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Older people are much more susceptible to bruising easily, too, because skin becomes thinner and blood vessels become weaker as we age.
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"Although most bruises are harmless and go away without treatment, easy bruising can sometimes be a sign of a more serious problem," Spencer Kroll, MD, a board-certified internal medicine specialist based in New Jersey, tells LIVESTRONG.com.
From taking certain medications to an underlying blood clotting disorder, figuring out exactly why you’re bruising so easily can help you put together a successful treatment plan.
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Below, a highlight reel of possible reasons behind your bruises to help you — with an assist from your doctor — get to the bottom of why you're always black and blue.
Skin Aging “As you age, your skin becomes thinner and you start to lose some of the fat on your body that would otherwise act as protection against injury,” Dr. Johnston says. “Both of these conditions make you more susceptible to developing bruises.”
Advertisement On top of that, your blood vessels become more fragile, so even the slightest bump can leave a mark. Fix it: While the aging process can’t be reversed, maintaining a healthy lifestyle — nutritious meals, regular exercise, quality sleep, sun protection — can help better manage the factors that can cause your skin to age prematurely and bruise easily, per the American Academy of Dermatology.
Sun Damage Following many years of sun exposure, sun-damaged skin can become thinner and blood vessel walls weaker, leading to more frequent and darker bruising, Dr. Johnston says.
Advertisement Dermatologists call these bruises “actinic purpura” or “senile purpura.” They appear as dark red splotches on the backs of hands and forearms and take longer to heal than your average bruise — usually, a few weeks. Taking certain medications (aspirin, steroids) and drinking alcohol can also encourage this type of bruising to form.
Advertisement Fix it: Unfortunately, sun damage can’t be reversed, Dr. Johnston says, but it’s never too late to practice healthier skin care habits, such as wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, keeping your skin well-moisturized and wearing layers to protect your forearms and hands when you’re doing things that might put you at risk for bruising (like chores). You might also want to talk to your doctor about topical creams that contain retinol or alpha-hydroxy acid, which is thought to thicken skin and improve its ability to tolerate injuries, according to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.
Nutritional Deficiencies “Having a vitamin deficiency can hinder your body’s ability to create blood clots, which can lead to bigger and darker bruises,” Dr. Johnston says. Specifically, deficiencies in vitamins K and C can cause more severe and sometimes unexplainable bruising.
Advertisement These forms of vitamin deficiencies are pretty rare — most people get enough of both through the foods they eat, but people with medical conditions that mess with how well the body absorbs nutrients (think: celiac disease, ulcerative colitis) may have a harder time getting enough from their diet alone. Vitamin C “If an individual has a vitamin C deficiency, they might also experience bleeding gums, along with bruising and wounds that don’t heal or take a longer period of time to heal,” Dr. Johnston says.
Advertisement Vitamin K Meanwhile, a vitamin K deficiency might translate into black stool and blood clots underneath the nails, in addition to being more susceptible to bruising. Iron Being short on iron can also cause you to bruise easily: “Iron is a key component needed for the body to make hemoglobin, an important part of red blood cells,” Stefani Kappel, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Newport Beach, California, tells LIVESTRONG.com.
Advertisement When there’s not enough hemoglobin to go around, the body’s red blood cells aren’t able to function properly. Because they act as the body’s oxygen-delivery service, your cells won’t receive enough oxygen to thrive, making your skin more susceptible to bruising.
Advertisement Other symptoms of an iron deficiency may include fatigue, dizziness and shortness of breath. People with heavy periods, who are pregnant or have gastrointestinal disorders are most at risk of not getting enough iron. Fix it: Your best bet is to get your blood tested to determine if a nutritional deficiency is the culprit behind your chronic bruising. “Your physician may recommend supplements along with a variety of foods to integrate into your diet to get your health back on track,” Dr. Johnston says.
Certain Medications and Supplements There are a number of medications and supplements that can increase your risk of bruising. “Any medications that have a blood-thinning effect or reduce your blood’s ability to create clots will trigger bigger bruises after experiencing impact on the body,” Dr. Johnston says. Common offenders include:
Aspirin Ibuprofen Anticoagulant medications (heparin or warfarin, for example) Vitamin E Fish oil Gingko
Anti-inflammatory medications, like steroids (used to treat conditions such as asthma, hives, psoriasis and allergies), can also cause easy bruising, thanks to their skin-thinning effects. Fix it: If you notice yourself bruising more easily, this doesn’t mean you should ditch your medications — rather, discuss the issue with your doctor to see if drug adjustments or changes can be made. “If you’re taking over-the-counter medications and supplements, you should always disclose this information with your physician, as some OTCs shouldn’t be mixed with other prescription medications or health conditions,” Dr. Johnston says. 5. Liver Disease The liver helps create proteins that enable blood to clot. “Without these proteins, excessive bleeding and bruising can occur,” Dr. Johnston says. Additional symptoms of liver disease include:
Nausea Abdominal pain Appetite loss Darker urine Lighter stool Yellowing of the skin and eyes
There are more than 100 types of liver disease, according to the American Liver Foundation. Fix it: “Depending on the severity of the liver disease, your physician could recommend certain lifestyle changes, including avoiding alcohol and losing weight,” Dr. Johnston says. “For more severe conditions, medications and surgery may be necessary.” 6. Kidney Disease Various health conditions can cause your kidneys to act up, the two most common being high blood pressure and diabetes. “Kidney problems can impact the platelet count in the body, leading to easier bleeding and bruising,” Dr. Johnston says.
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Other symptoms to be aware of include:
Reduced urination Chronic exhaustion Muscle cramps Itchy skin Seizures
Fix it: There are routine tests your doctor can do to see how well your kidneys are functioning, as well as the cause or type of kidney disease you’re experiencing. If your kidney issues are a result of a medical condition, managing the condition properly can slow further kidney damage. Treatment for kidney problems specifically include going on a special diet, dialysis and a kidney transplant. 7. Autoimmune Disorders The inflammatory disease process (rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and the like) can lead to a low platelet count and affect how well your blood clots following an injury. “When your own immune system attacks blood cells or the actual blood vessels themselves, it increases the risk of bruising,” Dr. Kappel says. Besides bruising easily, you might also experience the following, per the U.S. National Library of Medicine:
Chronic fatigue and general malaise Joint pain Rashes Fever
Fix it: If you think an autoimmune disorder might be behind your collection of bruises, your doctor will do a physical exam and run blood tests to get to the bottom of what’s going on. 8. Blood and Platelet Disorders “There are many genetic blood abnormalities that can cause easy bruising,” Dr. Kappel says. “Some are more serious than others.” Von Willebrand disease and hemophilia, for instance, are blood disorders caused by missing or defective clotting proteins (von Willebrand factor and factor VIII, respectively), putting you more at risk for bruising. With platelet disorders, such as thrombocytopenia, there may be an underproduction or overproduction of platelets in the body, or platelets that don’t work normally. “In the case of too few platelets, the body won’t be able to control bleeding after experiencing physical trauma,” Dr. Johnston says. In addition to bruising easily, people with blood and platelet disorders might experience the following:
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Persistent nosebleeds Heavy menstrual bleeding Bleeding gums
Fix it: “Your doctor can order tests to assess your clotting factors and blood cell analysis if you feel you’re more susceptible to bruising,” Dr. Kappel says. Depending on the type of disorder, they might recommend treatments like topical medications, iron supplements or blood transfusions. 9. Blood Cancers It’s much less common, but severe and unexplainable bruising can be a sign of a blood cancer, such as leukemia. “Leukemias trigger white blood cell counts that are off the charts and a compensatory drop in platelets (which are necessary for clotting), putting blood cancer patients at a much higher risk for bruising,” Dr. Kappel says. Cancer-related bruises tend to appear in odd places, like the torso or hands. Other symptoms of blood cancers may include the following, per the American Society of Hematology:
Chronic fatigue Pale skin Headaches Swollen or bleeding gums Unexplainable weight loss Fever Excessive sweating
Fix it: “You should seek medical attention if you’re experiencing these symptoms, as blood cancers can be treatable but treatment shouldn’t be delayed,” Dr. Johnston says. Treatments may include medications, surgery and chemotherapy. When to See a Doctor About Your Bruises There are a number of signs to be on the lookout for when it comes to bruising — primarily, if you bruise easily from the slightest trauma (say, bumping your knee) or frequently for no reason, especially if you experience severe pain and swelling in addition to bruises. “Generally, bruises should fade completely in a couple of weeks,” Dr. Johnston says. “If your bruise doesn’t heal after roughly three to four weeks, you should seek medical attention because it could be a sign of a more serious medical issue.” You should also seek medical attention if your bruises appear on parts of your body where injuries are unlikely to occur, like your torso, back, face or on the backs of your hands. Ditto if they start to appear after you’ve started a new medication. In most of these cases, your doctor will likely run tests to determine why you’re bruising so easily, such as tests that measure how quickly your blood clots or determine your blood platelet levels. “If bruising is associated with any bleeding — nosebleeds, excessive gum bleeding, rectal or urinary bleeding — you should consult with your doctor immediately,” Dr. Kroll says.
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references
ALF: “The Progression of Liver Disease”
American Academy of Dermatology: “11 Ways to Reduce Premature Skin Aging”
AOCD: “Bruising Hands and Arms”
American Society of Hematology (ASH): “Blood Cancers”
ASH: “Leukemia”
ASH: “Lymphoma”
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: “What is von Willebrand Disease?”
Cleveland Clinic: “Bruises”
Mayo Clinic: “Easy bruising: Why does it happen”
Mayo Clinic: “Liver disease”
Mayo Clinic: “Thrombocytopenia (low platelet count)”
National Institutes of Health (NIH): “Iron”
NIH: “Vitamin C”
NIH: “Vitamin K”
NIH Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center: “Hemophilia A”
Urology Care Foundation: “What Is Kidney (Renal) Failure?”
U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM): “Autoimmune disorders”
NLM: “Chronic kidney disease”
Is this an emergency?
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, please see the
National Library of Medicine’s list
of signs you need emergency medical attention or call 911.
references
ALF: “The Progression of Liver Disease”
American Academy of Dermatology: “11 Ways to Reduce Premature Skin Aging”
AOCD: “Bruising Hands and Arms”
American Society of Hematology (ASH): “Blood Cancers”
ASH: “Leukemia”
ASH: “Lymphoma”
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: “What is von Willebrand Disease?”
Cleveland Clinic: “Bruises”
Mayo Clinic: “Easy bruising: Why does it happen”
Mayo Clinic: “Liver disease”
Mayo Clinic: “Thrombocytopenia (low platelet count)”
National Institutes of Health (NIH): “Iron”
NIH: “Vitamin C”
NIH: “Vitamin K”
NIH Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center: “Hemophilia A”
Urology Care Foundation: “What Is Kidney (Renal) Failure?”
U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM): “Autoimmune disorders”
NLM: “Chronic kidney disease”
Is this an emergency? If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, please see the National Library of Medicine’s list of signs you need emergency medical attention or call 911.
Many people bruise more easily as they age, but other conditions or even nutritional deficiencies can play a role, too.
Image Credit: lolostock/iStock/GettyImages
Image Credit: lolostock/iStock/GettyImages
Fix it: While the aging process can’t be reversed, maintaining a healthy lifestyle — nutritious meals, regular exercise, quality sleep, sun protection — can help better manage the factors that can cause your skin to age prematurely and bruise easily, per the American Academy of Dermatology.
Fix it: Unfortunately, sun damage can’t be reversed, Dr. Johnston says, but it’s never too late to practice healthier skin care habits, such as wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, keeping your skin well-moisturized and wearing layers to protect your forearms and hands when you’re doing things that might put you at risk for bruising (like chores). You might also want to talk to your doctor about topical creams that contain retinol or alpha-hydroxy acid, which is thought to thicken skin and improve its ability to tolerate injuries, according to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.
You might also want to talk to your doctor about topical creams that contain retinol or alpha-hydroxy acid, which is thought to thicken skin and improve its ability to tolerate injuries, according to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.
Fix it: Your best bet is to get your blood tested to determine if a nutritional deficiency is the culprit behind your chronic bruising. “Your physician may recommend supplements along with a variety of foods to integrate into your diet to get your health back on track,” Dr. Johnston says.
Fix it: If you notice yourself bruising more easily, this doesn’t mean you should ditch your medications — rather, discuss the issue with your doctor to see if drug adjustments or changes can be made. “If you’re taking over-the-counter medications and supplements, you should always disclose this information with your physician, as some OTCs shouldn’t be mixed with other prescription medications or health conditions,” Dr. Johnston says.
“If you’re taking over-the-counter medications and supplements, you should always disclose this information with your physician, as some OTCs shouldn’t be mixed with other prescription medications or health conditions,” Dr. Johnston says.
Fix it: “Depending on the severity of the liver disease, your physician could recommend certain lifestyle changes, including avoiding alcohol and losing weight,” Dr. Johnston says. “For more severe conditions, medications and surgery may be necessary.”
Fix it: There are routine tests your doctor can do to see how well your kidneys are functioning, as well as the cause or type of kidney disease you’re experiencing. If your kidney issues are a result of a medical condition, managing the condition properly can slow further kidney damage. Treatment for kidney problems specifically include going on a special diet, dialysis and a kidney transplant.
If your kidney issues are a result of a medical condition, managing the condition properly can slow further kidney damage. Treatment for kidney problems specifically include going on a special diet, dialysis and a kidney transplant.
Fix it: If you think an autoimmune disorder might be behind your collection of bruises, your doctor will do a physical exam and run blood tests to get to the bottom of what’s going on.
Fix it: “Your doctor can order tests to assess your clotting factors and blood cell analysis if you feel you’re more susceptible to bruising,” Dr. Kappel says. Depending on the type of disorder, they might recommend treatments like topical medications, iron supplements or blood transfusions.
Depending on the type of disorder, they might recommend treatments like topical medications, iron supplements or blood transfusions.
Fix it: “You should seek medical attention if you’re experiencing these symptoms, as blood cancers can be treatable but treatment shouldn’t be delayed,” Dr. Johnston says. Treatments may include medications, surgery and chemotherapy.
Treatments may include medications, surgery and chemotherapy.
ALF: “The Progression of Liver Disease”
American Academy of Dermatology: “11 Ways to Reduce Premature Skin Aging”
AOCD: “Bruising Hands and Arms”
American Society of Hematology (ASH): “Blood Cancers”
ASH: “Leukemia”
ASH: “Lymphoma”
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: “What is von Willebrand Disease?”
Cleveland Clinic: “Bruises”
Mayo Clinic: “Easy bruising: Why does it happen”
Mayo Clinic: “Liver disease”
Mayo Clinic: “Thrombocytopenia (low platelet count)”
National Institutes of Health (NIH): “Iron”
NIH: “Vitamin C”
NIH: “Vitamin K”
NIH Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center: “Hemophilia A”
Urology Care Foundation: “What Is Kidney (Renal) Failure?”
U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM): “Autoimmune disorders”
NLM: “Chronic kidney disease”
