That being said, you should see your doctor if: Its difficult to avoid bruising completely, especially when the cause is unknown. Symptoms of an Achilles tendon rupture are hard to ignore. Ehlers-Danlos syndromes are a group of hereditary health conditions that negatively affect the function and structure of connective tissues such as the skin, joints, and walls of the blood vessels. Vitamin deficiencies of various sorts can lead to unexplained bruises. (2018). Signs and symptoms of non-hodgkin lymphoma. If you are taking blood-thinning medications, you may find that even a slight knock on your leg or arm can easily cause bruising. The ultra violet rays of the sun can lead to bruises under the skin. 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. Meanwhile, vitamin K deficiency can contribute to significant bleeding, poor bone development, and cardiovascular disease. 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. If diabetes has already been diagnosed, your bruising may simply be a result of slow wound healing. Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional. This essential oil mixture works rather well if it is applied right after a round of ice or cold therapy. Always mention any unusual bruising during pregnancy to a doctor or midwife. Am Fam Physician. Without enough platelets, the blood has trouble clotting. Although the specific protein involved in this disorder is different than the one associated with hemophilia A, the conditions share the same symptoms. Sometimes, bruising without an injury could be a sign of a serious underlying medical condition like diabetes, a blood clotting disorder, or an autoimmune disease. Unexplained Bruising: Causes, Treatment, and Prevention - Verywell Health Bruising usually occurs as a result of accidental trauma, but may be non-accidental. WebMD. 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. Someone who takes medication and has random bruising should speak to a doctor for advice and to discuss their drug and family medical history. Whats Causing Broken Blood Vessels on My Face? I have bruise appeared on the inside of my stomach to my right oh belly button what cause it only hurts when i touch, what to do? Bruises develop from damage to blood vessels that reside under the skin. 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). The result of extreme vitamin C deficiency is scurvy, which also leads to bleeding gums, fingernail and tooth loss, and heart failure. unexplained weight loss yellow skin and eyes (jaundice) dark urine abdominal pain and swelling nausea vomiting fatigue Medications, including chemotherapy and antibiotics, may also cause both. Individuals should speak with a doctor. what is this and the cause ? This may result from an uptick in your bodys natural cortisol production or overuse of corticosteroid medications. Unknown bruising is acutally the result of certain factors that can cause you to bruise easier. 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. 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. 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. American Cancer Society. Learn how we can help 1.8k views Answered >2 years ago Thank 3 thanks A 18-year-old female asked: See a doctor or other healthcare provider right away if you experience any of the following: Last medically reviewed on November 9, 2018. Vitamins and minerals: What you should know about essential nutrients. They can vary in color, and skin color may affect the appearance of a bruise. Learn about how to get. 2004-2023 Healthline Media UK Ltd, Brighton, UK, a Red Ventures Company. Bruises, also referred to as contusions, occur when there is an injury to tissues underneath the skin. 7 signs and symptoms not to ignore. Benabio J. A bruise is also known as a contusion. Another method of treating an unexpected bruise is using essential oils. You might have many of these remediessuch as tea bags and aloe vera right at your fingertips. Diseases like cancer and diabetes, as well as other medical conditions, become more prevalent as we get older. Peripheral vascular disease or PVD is a disorder that can cause the blood vessels outside of your heart and brain to narrow, block, or spasm. Supplements like ginkgo biloba, ginger, turmeric, and St. Johns Wort also carry similar blood thinning issues. Eden, R. E., & Coviello, J. M. (2020). Bruising: Summary. Most cases of random bruising are nothing to worry about. American Society of Hematology. When you strain a muscle, you injure muscle tissue deep under the skin. Iron: Iron is vital for healthy blood cells. The progression of liver disease. 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. Here are 10 easy treatments to lessen the pain and reduce the visibility. For example, being in the sun too long, aging, or a vitamin deficiency can weaken small blood vessels near the skin's surface. Von Willebrand disease. Vitamin K is needed to help blood clot properly and prevent random bruising. Random bruising on your legs (as well as on other body parts) can cause unsightly skin discoloration as a result of a mild trauma or injury. A bone bruise is a type of bruise that occurs when blood and fluid build up inside and around an injured bone. ? Sex can also affect bruising as women tend to bruise more easily than men. Dr. John Cunha on eMedicineHealth explains that discoloration on the skin is caused by tiny blood vessels breaking under the skin. White, G. (2008). Mayo Clinic Staff. It can cause excessive bleeding which leads to easy bruising. Top answers from doctors based on your search: Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone. A GP will aim to rule out all the possible conditions that might be causing your symptoms. Bruise symptoms and signs. 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. Random bruising: Is it serious? Causes, treatment, and prevention Some cancer treatments can lead to easy bruising on the body. People who are prone to bruising may not remember a minor trauma and assume that the bruise has appeared out of nowhere. a rash that looks like small bruises or reddish-purple spots (this may be less obvious on brown or black skin) joint pain; tummy (abdominal) pain; diarrhoea; being sick; blood in urine or poo; Henoch-Schnlein purpura is not usually serious and often gets better without treatment. This can result in random bruising or larger bruises from trauma to the skin.3. This inflammations natural side effect is unexplained bruises. Serious liver disease can cause easy bruising because the liver cant produce enough blood clotting factors. 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. Canadian Cancer Society. The skin is also thin, fragile, and easily damaged. People who have hemophilia A are missing an important clotting factor, factor VIII, resulting in excessive bleeding and bruising. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. Cancer can cause unexplained bruising in two different ways. We avoid using tertiary references. Cancer. Mix a few drops of chamomile essential oil with a carrier oil like almond or coconut oil. The liver is an organ that helps the body create many chemicals that are involved in clotting. How much exercise you should do will depend on your current health and capabilities. Mayo Clinic Staff. Clotting screen (prothrombin time [PT], activated partial thromboplastin time [aPTT], and international normalized ratio [INR] if the person is taking . This is a type of cancer that affects your blood as well as your bone marrow. Bruises and blood spots under your skin. Without enough vitamin C in the body, random bruising can occur. Usually, these diseases are accompanied by other symptoms and random bruising occurs in the later stages of the disease. Unexplained leg bruising can be due to liver disease, nutritional deficiencies, autoimmune conditions, and other disorders. Vitamin C: Vitamin C is important for many reasons, one being wound healing. Random bruising could be a sign of a health issue that should be checked out. There is also the issue of acanthosis nigricans. There are a number of things you can do yourself that may help. Bleeding and bruising in cancer patients. Repeat this two or three times a day until the bruise has healed. People with this condition bruise easily, with bleeding from small blood vessels under the skin. WebMD. doi:10.1097/PEC.0000000000001083. Bleeding disorders. If you think you have an underlying condition that's been missed by your doctor, you can ask for a second opinion. There are several causes that may lead to unexplained bruising, like certain medications, nutrient deficiencies, and medical conditions. After 24 hours have passed, try using a heat pack to get the circulation flowing and relax the muscle area around the bruise. There is a connection between diabetes and unexplained bruising. However, if a bruise persists, changes in size, or looks unusual, there may be an underlying condition or other factors. Bruise colors: Causes, timescale, and when to see a doctor If you find yourself constantly bruised up and dont know why, contact your healthcare provider as you may have an underlying health condition or nutrient deficiency to blame for the constant contusions. Platelets are cells that help the blood to clot and stop bleeding. Mayo Clinic Staff. Our gait becomes more unstable, and we bump into things a little more than we used to. However, taking anticoagulants and antibiotics that interfere with vitamin K production may cause deficiencies. This can also help you to determine if you should see a doctor about unexplained bruises that have appeared on your body. Researchers are expressing concerns over the number of bicycle accidents involving drugs. Although in rare cases random bruising can be a sign of a serious condition, the bruising will be accompanied by many other symptoms. However, there are early warning signs of diabetes that can indicate you are at risk for developing the disease. If youre undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatments, you may have low blood platelet counts (thrombocytopenia). Bruises, eMedicine Health; http://www.emedicinehealth.com/bruises/article_em.htm, last accessed August 28, 2017. This is called dermatoporosis. Some medications can lead to easy or random bruising because of how they affect the body. Medically unexplained symptoms - NHS Inflammatory breast cancer. Are you taking too much anti-inflammatory medication? Although being in the sun is necessary to help the body produce vitamin D, too much sun exposure can damage your skin and cause you to bruise easily. Also, UV rays can contribute to the dermatoporosis effect in the skin. When this happens, blood leaks out of the vessels and initially appears as a dark mark. Bruises are common and usually disappear with time. Bruises on the torso, back, or face could especially be a concern. When the liver is damaged, it stops producing the proteins required for blood clotting. People who have cancer and are struggling to eat may also experience vitamin deficiencies that impact the bloods ability to clot. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. 2-3 weeks apart. The possible benefits of medicine always need to be weighed against the potential side effects. Drug-induced liver disease. Older adults often experience random bruising as part of the natural aging process. Unexplained Bruising on Your Body: Causes and Treatments was last modified: July 17th, 2019 by Jenny Hills, Nutritionist and Medical Writer. If you arent getting enough vitamin C, your skin may begin to bruise easily, resulting in random bruising. I have a bruise on my stomach where my appendix should be.. should i be worried? Learn how we can help. Bruising for no reason can be explained and treated. Other symptoms of a vitamin C deficiency include: You may begin to bruise easily if you arent getting enough iron. Bruising is common. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. This condition occurs when your body makes too much or too little clotting chemicals. Common medically unexplained symptoms include: About 1 in 4 people who see a GP have physical symptoms that cannot be explained. Bruises (Ecchymosis): Symptoms, Causes, Treatment & Prevention Icelandic. 2008 Nov; 88(11): 12541264. Along with frequent unexplained bruising on your legs, diabetes causes increased thirst and urination, weight loss, nausea, and abdominal pain. Oftentimes, you can reduce your risk for future bruising by making sure youre getting the right nutrients in your diet. Understanding Bone Bruise or Marrow Edema. But what does unexplained bruising mean? Finally, the hemoglobin will break down and release a chemical called bilirubin, which will cause the bruise to turn yellow. 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. 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. A blunt trauma injury can cause your spleen to rupture. Easy bruising is sometimes a symptom of the late stages of chronic kidney disease. Late-stage kidney disease often has unexplained or easy bruising as a side effect, but not necessarily due to the disease itself. What causes unexplained bruising? For these, please consult a doctor (virtually or in person). Certain medications make you more susceptible to bruising. However, not all bruising has a simple explanation. You may be referred for a talking therapy, such ascognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). Chronic skin fragility of aging: current concepts in the pathogenesis, recognition, and management of dermatoporosis. Be aware that certain clotting disorders may be a factor. Health A-Z NHS services Live Well Mental health Care and support Pregnancy . Bruising in the geriatric population. Many viral infections can cause thrombocytopenia. Medications that are used for rheumatoid arthritis can often lead to unexplained bruises. Blood cancer symptoms and signs | Blood Cancer UK Bad bruises, also known as hematomas, can occur following a more serious injury. Medications can also hinder the blood clotting process and inhibit platelet function. Bruising of Legs: Causes, Remedies, and Prevention, Bruised Elbow (Elbow Contusion) Symptoms and Treatment Tips. A 15-year-old boy with anemia and leg bruising. You just have to figure it out- blood thinners, trauma some more severe problems with coagulation. NHLBI. Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. It also explains bruising in pregnancy and when to see a doctor. Drugs. WebMD. Article Sources How long does it take for a bruise to heal? Warm applications tend to dissolve this type of clot. UW Health. Diabetes is a metabolic condition that affects your bodys ability to produce or use insulin. Is the ketogenic diet right for autoimmune conditions? However, if a person experiences other symptoms alongside random bruising, further investigation may be necessary. what would cause this? How to tell if it is a bruise or a blood clot, How to get rid of a bruise: Home remedies, bruising occurs for no apparent reason and does not heal within a few weeks, bruises appear in unusual locations, such as the torso, back, or face, there are a number of bruises in one specific area, or a cluster scattered on different parts of the body, bruising appears with other symptoms, such as fatigue, nausea, or a high temperature. The lump could be a hematoma which is a lump of coagulated blood. I have a bruise on the lower left side of my stomach near my belly button. 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. It is difficult to make a diagnosis without an examination. Bleeding disorders may cause large bruises to develop without any explanation. Von Willebrand disease is a bleeding disorder similar to hemophilia as it also causes the body to be unable to make one of the proteins that are a key part of the blood-clotting process. MedlinePlus. Medications like aspirin, blood thinners, antibiotics, and anticoagulants can affect the blood cells by making them easier to traumatize, leading to bruising. Its just a part of being a human being. Most often, a ruptured spleen is caused by blunt force trauma. The tricky part is knowing which. To learn more, please visit our. Swelling or a raised bump on your skin (hematoma). Other symptoms of iron deficiency include: Although rare in healthy adults, vitamin K deficiencies can slow the rate at which blood clots. We link primary sources including studies, scientific references, and statistics within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. 5. This can cause the bruise to take on a green color or tinge. When to see a doctor or other healthcare provider, thedermblog.com/2008/03/17/why-do-women-bruise-more-easily-than-men/, mdanderson.org/patients-family/diagnosis-treatment/emotional-physical-effects/bleeding-bruising-cancer.html, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15235-bruises, ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/ehlers-danlos-syndrome, ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/factor-v-deficiency, hemophilia.org/Bleeding-Disorders/Types-of-Bleeding-Disorders/Hemophilia-A, hemophilia.org/Bleeding-Disorders/Types-of-Bleeding-Disorders/Hemophilia-B, nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/immune-thrombocytopenia, merckmanuals.com/professional/nutritional-disorders/vitamin-deficiency,-dependency,-and-toxicity/vitamin-k, mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cushing-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20351310, mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ehlers-danlos-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20362125, mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/healthy-aging/in-depth/easy-bruising/art-20045762, mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hemophilia/symptoms-causes/syc-20373327, mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/ibuprofen-oral-route/description/drg-20070602, mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/iron-deficiency-anemia/symptoms-causes/syc-20355034, mayoclinic.org/documents/mc5129-0709-sp-rpt-pdf/doc-20079085, mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/von-willebrand-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20354978, macmillan.org.uk/information-and-support/lymphoma/lymphoma-non-hodgkin/understanding-cancer/signs-and-symptoms.html, uwhealth.org/health/topic/symptom/bruises-and-blood-spots-under-the-skin/bruse.html, ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminC-Consumer/, health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/why-do-i-bruise-more-easily-as-i-age. But other symptoms, such as joint pain, may last several weeks or months. However, unexplained bruising by itself isnt the only symptom of a bleeding disorder. Its very rare to have spontaneous bruising without any reason. 1999 Aug;41(2 Pt 1):207-8. There are a few autoimmune diseases that can, in some way, make it easier for the body to bruise. An unexplained bruise on the breast that doesnt disappear may be one of the first signs of inflammatory breast cancer. Internal Bruising: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment - Healthline Hills, J., How to Get Rid of Bruises Naturally (According to Research), Healthy and Natural World; http://www.healthyandnaturalworld.com/get-rid-of-bruises/, last accessed August 28, 2017. For example, a person may have fairer skin and more fragile blood vessels, two factors that can make bruises develop more easily and appear darker in color. Easy bruising. Has an estimated prevalence of 1 in 15,000-20,000 and is generally inherited as an autosomal dominant condition. 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. If you suffer from diabetes, you may notice that you bruise easily and bruises last longer. Thrombocytopenia in pregnancy. Bruising in pregnancy. Possible causes of medically unexplained symptoms They may prescribe iron tablets or other medication as well as help you modify your diet to meet your nutritional needs. The hyper pigmentation is usually dark in color and can look like bruising even though it is not. Also, as we get older, we tend to lose a little bit of our balance and coordination. WebMD. Kawasaki disease This can result in bruising easily on your legs or other areas of your body. 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. This includes the joints, skin, and blood vessel walls. (2017). Let's look at symptoms and treatments. Vitamin K cream or ointment may also be able to help in healing a bruise quicker. (n.d.). This damage causes the blood vessels to leak blood, leading to discoloration of the skin. Intense physical activities like running or lifting weights can also lead to unexplained bruises. Next review due: 12 July 2024, Learn about breathing exercises for stress, what your symptoms are like, when they started and what makes them better or worse, what you think is the cause of your symptoms and your expectations of how tests and treatments might help, how your symptoms affect what you can do what they stop you doing, how upsetting your symptoms are how they make you feel. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. Disclaimer: Results are not guaranteed*** and may vary from person to person***. It should get better within 2 to 3 weeks. People with low counts of blood platelets often bruise easily because there are fewer platelets in the blood to repair damaged blood vessels. That is one reason why some people shouldnt take turmeric regularly for medicinal purposes. Regular exercisewill help keep you fit andmany people find that it also boosts their mood(read about exercise for depression). This can help reduce the swelling as well as the coloring of the bruise. Mayo Clinic Staff. Extensive bruising secondary to vitamin C deficiency. 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. Bruises and blood spots under the skin. Causes | Background information | Bruising | CKS | NICE Non-Hodgkins lymphoma is a cancer that starts in lymphocyte cells, which are part of the immune system. Case study and clinical findings]. 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.