Bruises happen. You turn and stub your toe on the door or you hit your arm on the corner of the counter as you navigate through the kitchen. However, are you asking yourself, “Why am I bruising easily?”
A bruise usually appears when blood gets trapped under the skin, and this usually happens because of an impact, such as bumping your arm or leg, that damages a tiny blood vessel.
But, sometimes you spot a bruise and wonder what causes you to bruise easily. Let’s take a look at some common causes.
Vitamin C is for more than keeping colds away; it is also essential to help your body heal. If you don’t get enough vitamin C it can cause you to bruise. You are more likely to have lower levels of vitamin C if you smoke or you’re older.
Some medicines can cause bruising by decreasing blood clotting. These include over-the-counter medicines such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (like ibuprofen), aspirin, and blood thinners.
Antibiotics can also cause clotting issues. Corticosteroids, used for allergies, eczema, and asthma, can cause you to bruise more easily. Some anti-depressants also have blood-thinning properties.
Some daily supplements also increase bruising because they thin the blood. These supplements include ginkgo, ginseng, garlic, and fish oil.
Drinking too much alcohol is a risk factor for liver diseases like cirrhosis. As liver disease progresses, the liver stops producing the proteins needed for helping blood clot. Because of this, a person may have excessive bleeding and bruise easily.
Liver disease is treatable. People that drink more the recommended amount of one drink a day for women and two drinks a day for men should stop immediately when developing liver issues.
Your age may be what causes you to bruise easily. This is because your blood vessels weaken. The skin also gets thinner and loses elasticity and fatty layers that cushion the blood vessels.
It could also run in your family.
If your mom and sister also easily bruise, it could be a family thing. Some people, mostly women, have very fragile blood vessels, especially in the thighs, arms, or butt.
If you don’t have any other symptoms and you have others in the family that also bruise easily, you probably don’t have much to worry about.
People with diabetes may develop hyperglycemia which creates too much glucose in the blood. This damages the blood vessels and increases bruising.
You could also have some sort of blood disorders such as a clotting disorder, blood cancer (leukemia), hemophilia, Cushing’s syndrome, or Von Willebrand’s disease. This why it’s important to note any additional symptoms such as unexplained weight loss, chills, or fevers.
Talk to your doctor immediately if you have any of these symptoms in addition to bruising. If your bruise swells or doesn’t get better within a week, you should see a doctor.
If you notice you are bruising easy, you should stop asking yourself, “Why am I bruising easily” and go see your doctor. You don’t want to let an underlying medical condition go undetected.
If you feel you need immediate care, do not hesitate. Sometimes bruises can be a serious problem, especially if you have other symptoms.
You can walk in our urgent care facility seven days a week for immediate treatment—download the forms before you come and check the wait time online!