What causes easy bruising?

Question

I keep finding bruises on myself that you'd think i'd remember causing, but I have no idea where they come from. I feel fine otherwise.

Answer 1

Most bruises form when small blood vessels (capillaries) near your skin's surface are broken by the impact of a blow or injury. When this happens, blood leaks out of the vessels and initially appears as a bluish-black mark. Eventually your body reabsorbs the blood and the mark disappears.

Some people — especially women — are more prone to bruising than are others. As you get older, several factors may contribute to increased bruising, including:

Aging capillaries. Over time, the tissues supporting these vessels weaken, and capillary walls become more fragile and prone to rupture.
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.
Generally, the harder the blow, the larger the bruise. However, if you bruise easily, a minor bump — one you may not even notice — can result in substantial discoloration. Your arms and legs are typical locations for bruises.

Medications and supplements can cause easy bruising

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.

Corticosteroids also can cause your skin to thin, making it easier for you to bruise. Don't stop taking your medications if you experience increased bruising. Talk to your doctor about your concerns and what you can do.

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.

Answer 2

Most bruises form when small blood vessels (capillaries) near your skin's surface are broken by the impact of a blow or injury. When this happens, blood leaks out of the vessels and initially appears as a bluish-black mark. Eventually your body reabsorbs the blood and the mark disappears.

Some people — especially women — are more prone to bruising than are others. As you get older, several factors may contribute to increased bruising, including:

Aging capillaries. Over time, the tissues supporting these vessels weaken, and capillary walls become more fragile and prone to rupture.
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.
Generally, the harder the blow, the larger the bruise. However, if you bruise easily, a minor bump — one you may not even notice — can result in substantial discoloration. Your arms and legs are typical locations for bruises.

Answer 3

Strange though it may sound... easy bruising can be a side effect of a food allergy! I recommend seeing an Allergist/Immunologist and getting allergy tested. Most people have allergies anyway, so you could find out a way to feel even better than you do now, PLUS get rid of the bruising!

Answer 4

Could be as easy as a vitamin defeciancy

see............. http://www.deliciouslivingmag.com/healthnotes/healthnotes.cfm?org=nh&lang=EN&ContentID=1172006

Those tender black and blue marks on your body are often reminders of an accidental bump, although they can be signs of an underlying health condition. According to research or other evidence, the following self-care steps may help reduce bruising:


Sample a combo supplement
Reduce your tendency to bruise by taking a daily combination of at least 400 mg of vitamin C and 400 mg of flavonoids, such as hesperidin or rutin
Fill up on fruits and veggies
Help prevent bruising by eating more foods rich in vitamin C and flavonoids
These recommendations are not comprehensive and are not intended to replace the advice of your doctor or pharmacist. Continue reading the full bruising article for more in-depth, fully-referenced information on medicines, vitamins, herbs, and dietary and lifestyle changes that may be helpful.

Answer 5

A bruise is caused when the tiny blood vessels near the surface of the skin are ruptured. So... if you are prone to bruising it is because the blood vessels near your skin are prone to rupture. This could be for several reasons included but not limited to genetic predisposition, diet, or conditions such as diabetes.

Answer 6

My husband teasing me that people will think he beats me because I am always bruised mostly on my legs sometimes really bad one and I never know how it happens He thinks I might be anemic but I have never been diagnosed with this and I have been this way since I was a child glad to know I am not the only one.

Answer 7

It could be a side-effect of drug use. It could also have to do with your anticoagulation. Don't take Asprin, which further thins your blood, and talk with your primary care physician about the problem (your 'pcp', as it were), because there is always a possibility that it is a symptom of something more serious.

Answer 8

One sure fire easy way to cause a bruise is to wait until someone isn't looking and then punch them as hard as you can in the upper arm. You might want to run away if you don't know the person. I have a funny feeling they might not think it is as funny as you do.

Answer 9

a low platelet count in your blood can cause easy bruising. I would recommend going to your doctor and getting this checked.

Answer 10

Low iron. Medications. Problems with your blood, clotting and so on. I would go to the doctor and have him run some tests on you, or at very least maybe figure out why it's happening. It can be something relatively normal or it could be something more serious.