What causes someone to become easily bruised (please read details)?

Question

No trauma involved--just look down at their arm or leg one day and see a fairly large bruise. I've tried researching this and am (surprisingly) having very little luck. Just looking for a few common reasons/conditions that would cause easy bruising in an otherwise seemingly healthy individual.

Answer 1

You can find bruises or hematomas under the following conditions:
1) Menstruating women.
2) Age related causes:
a) Aging capillaries. Over time, the tissues supporting these vessels weaken, and capillary walls become more fragile and prone to rupture.
b) Thinning skin. With age, your skin becomes thinner and loses some of the protective fatty layer that helps cushion your blood vessels against injury. Excessive exposure to the sun can affect your skin much like aging does.

3) Blood-thinning drugs such as aspirin and warfarin (Coumadin) or medications such as clopidogrel (Plavix) reduce your blood's ability to clot. Because of this, bleeding from capillary damage that would normally stop quickly may take longer to stop, allowing enough blood to leak out to cause a bruise.

4) Certain dietary supplements such as fish oil, ginkgo, ginger and garlic also may increase your bruising risk, since these supplements have a blood-thinning effect. Make sure your doctor is aware of any supplements you're taking — especially if you're taking them along with a blood-thinning drug. Your doctor may recommend avoiding certain over-the-counter medications or supplements.


5) When bruises indicate more serious problems
In some cases bruising may indicate something more serious, such as a blood-clotting problem or a blood disease. See your doctor if:

You have unusually large or painful bruises, particularly if your bruises seem to develop for no known reason
You're bruising easily and you're experiencing abnormal bleeding elsewhere, such as from your nose, gums or intestinal tract
You have no history of bruising but suddenly experience bruises, particularly if you recently started a new medication
These signs and symptoms can indicate that you have low levels — or abnormal function — of platelets, a component of blood that helps blood clot after an injury. To diagnose the cause of your bruising, your doctor may check your blood platelet levels or the ability of your blood to coagulate.

6) In addition, patients with inherited clotting problems (such as in hemophilia) or acquired clotting problems (such as in patients with liver diseases like cirrhosis), can develop extensive bruising or even life-threatening bleeding.

7) Easy bruising may also be a side effect of birth control pills, arthritis medications such as Motrin, and some diuretics (medications that flush excess water from the body).

8) Corticosteroids (cortisone-like drugs) may also contribute to easy bruising, by thining the walls of the blood vessels. These powerful anti-inflammatory agents relieve swelling in asthma, rheumatoid arthritis and itchy skin rashes

9) The amount of bruising may also be affected by medications which interfere with blood clotting (and thus cause more bleeding into the skin or tissues). These drugs include many prescription arthritis medications called non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (e.g., ibuprofen/Advil, Nuprin and naproxen/Aleve) as well as over-the-counter medications, such as aspirin. Warfarin (Coumadin) is often prescribed by doctors specifically to prevent clotting in patients who have had blood clots in their legs or heart. Warfarin can cause particularly severe bruising, especially if the level of the medication becomes too high. Cortisone medications, such as prednisone, promote bruising by increasing the fragility of the tiny blood vessels in the skin. In addition, patients with inherited clotting problems (such as in hemophilia) or acquired clotting problems (such as in patients with liver diseases like cirrhosis), can develop extensive bruising or even life-threatening bleeding.

Answer 2

Reasons For Easy Bruising

Answer 3

Could be a number of reasons. A vitamin C deficiency, maybe low platelets, anemia. Some people bruise more easily than others because they do not have as much clotting factor in their blood. Or they could be anemic. Some medications can cause blood thinning. In your situation, the thing to do is not panic and see your family doctor to have some tests done.

Answer 4

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Answer 5

Well, first look to see if they are being abused by a spouse, parent, sibling, bullies etc. They may be hiding something. If it is truly non-trauma then anemia, Lukemia, hemophelia are a few diseases that can cause excesive bruising. A blood test at the doctor's office can determine that quickly. Or it could just be that they bruse easily, do they have light skin?

Answer 6

Bruise Easily Disease

Answer 7

First if she is redheaded or a natural blond she will be thin skinned (as they call it) and have a tenacity to bruise easy after she gets older..
Also could be sun damaged skin.
Also can be a liver problem, like damaged from excessive drinking or abusing drugs.
Also can be anemia, low iron level in blood.
Also low blood sugar or diabetes.
Also the lingering effects of a spider or insect bite:
Have her try taking L-Lysine to see if that will clear it up. You can get it in the vitamin section of your local Wal Mart.
I know you left arm is like that from over exposure to the sun from driving wearing short sleeve shirts. I'm redheaded.

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Answer 10

Bruising(spontaneous) may mean low platelet count and deficiency of clotting factors.

Thrombocytopaenia (low platelet count) is the common cause

Clotting factors - rare

Rarely - other causes like disorders of white cells.

Have your blood test done. Get seen by a doctor.

Answer 11

If you continue to bruise easily then make an appointment with your doctor and tell him/her that your doing this and they will order you the proper blood tests . It could be anemia or diabetes or even leukemia . Keep an eye on your self and like i said if it continues see you doctor.