Why do I bruise so easily?

Answer 1

It is impossible to tell from the information you provide. You should consult a doctor (internist) for a complete history and physical.

Easy bruising is usually indicative of a congenital or acquired defect in the platelet/coagulating cascade.

Congenital defects (these usually surface in childhood):
Hemophilia
Marfans can also cause bruising due to weakened collagen in blood vessels.
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (similar to Marfans)
Von Willebrand's Disease is also an occult disease that often does not present until a patient undergoes and invasive procedure or surgery (esp tooth extractions).

Acquired defects:

Platelet disorders:
aplastic anemia (bone marrow failure)
cancer (e.g. Leukemia, multiple myelomas)
thrombocytopenia (thrombotic or idiopathic)

Liver failure/disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis)

Nutritional deficiencies (e.g. Vit C, Vit K, protein poor diets)

Drug related:
aspirin or NSAID (ibuprofen, ketoprofen, naproxen sodium). Tylenol does not directly affect platelets (see liver failure)
heparin induced thrombocytopenia
coumadin/warfarin
lovenox
plavix
alcohol abuse
steroids
some herbal "remedies"

This is by no means a complete list. It also requires expert correlation with your history and physical exam, so please seek the advice of your physician.

Answer 2

Be sure you are getting enough vitamin C in your diet. Are you taking a lot of aspirin or NSAIDS?

What is your family history of easy bruising?

Easy bruisability is usually not serious, but if you are very flexible (double jointed) and there is a positive family history of these conditions, modify your question to include this. Other concerns would be bleeding gums, frequent nosebleeds, poor healing of wounds.

Answer 3

Being anemic does make the skin bruise easy. I would suggest taking an iron tablet along with your daily vitamin. You can find these at any local pharmacy. Also if you are on any anti coagulants you will bruise easy.

Hope this helps!

Answer 4

If you take a lot of aspirin or tylenol or a blood thinner, then you will bruise easy. It thins your blood, if you dont, then you should be checked for anemia or other conditions that thin your blood.

Answer 5

Restricting to your question with out going knowing proper medical history, the nearest match is "Capillary fragility".

Answer 6

see a MD! don't fool around with this. it could be nothing...
but... your worth it to yourself & your loved ones to rule out everythig before saying its nothing.
age
medication (including herbs, vitamins & minerals)
diet
blood disorders (to many to list)
any number of disease processes
liver kidney spleen muscular, ...
who knows, with out test, you don't

Answer 7

You are either anemic, or have liver disease.