Leukaemia and myeloma happen when there are too many abnormal cells in the blood and bone marrow (where blood cells are made). Sunburn can take a long time to heal and its effects can be long-lasting. Learn more about bruises on dark skin here. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If youve recently overdone it at the gym, you may develop bruises around the affected muscles. 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. People who have hemophilia A are missing an important clotting factor, factor VIII, resulting in excessive bleeding and bruising. White, G. (2008). (n.d.). What are bruises? Find out more about Henoch-Schnlein purpura. Chamomile essential oil, and Roman chamomile, in particular, is often used for its anti-inflammatory properties. Doctors typically provide answers within 24 hours. If you are taking blood-thinning medications, you may find that even a slight knock on your leg or arm can easily cause bruising. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. Now, youve read about what causes bruises, so it may seem a little odd that a bruise should suddenly form on its own. Consuming certain nutrients may help reduce your risk. When you combine this with everything mentioned above, bruises begin to be a more likely and repeated occurrence. However, the report recommends that any unexplained bruising on an older person be investigated to rule out the possibly of abuse. Researchers are expressing concerns over the number of bicycle accidents involving drugs. People who have hemophilia B are missing a clotting factor called factor IX. 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. Certain medications and supplements do carry with them the side effect of easier and random bruising. The first is that the disease itself may cause the bruise. 2019;35(4):e70-e71. Anticoagulants (blood thinners) and over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications like aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil), and naproxen (Aleve) affect your bloods ability to clot. In rare cases, one of the following conditions may cause random bruising. St. John, T., The Changing Colors of Bruises and What They Mean, Symptom Find, May 7, 2016; https://www.symptomfind.com/health/changing-colors-bruises-and-what-they-mean/, last accessed August 28, 2017. (2017). Skin discoloration (red to purple, black, brown or yellow). NHS. Bad bruises, also known as hematomas, can occur following a more serious injury. much larger than a dime. Disclaimer: Results are not guaranteed*** and may vary from person to person***. Bruise symptoms and signs. Bruising for no reason can be explained and treated. Common medically unexplained symptoms include: pains in the muscles or joints back pain headaches tiredness feeling faint chest pain heart palpitations stomach problems About 1 in 4 people who see a GP have physical symptoms that cannot be explained. If you develop a blood clot, your doctor will probably test you for thrombophilia and may put you on blood thinners (anticoagulants). Meanwhile, vitamin K deficiency can contribute to significant bleeding, poor bone development, and cardiovascular disease. Most cases of random bruising are nothing to worry about. Random or unexplained bruising on legs can happen for a number of reasons. Physical symptoms can cause depression and anxiety, and these can in turn make the physical symptoms worse, creatinga vicious circle. When you strain a muscle, you injure muscle tissue deep under the skin. Lupus is a chronic inflammatory disease where the bodys immune system attacks its own tissues and organs. 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. There are signs that the bruise has become infected. A bruise is also known as a contusion. Specific medications include: Blood thinners are given to people who have issues with blood clotting. But what does unexplained bruising mean? 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. (2018). You may havea thorough physical examination and blood tests. There may be a blood clotting issue or another underlying condition that needs treatment. A few bruises rarely indicates a problem. However, bruises arent typically something to worry about, and they tend to heal on their own in a few days or weeks. Blood thinners prevent this clotting, which makes it easier for bruises to develop following minor injuries because of the excessive pooling of blood underneath the skin. Tannins can help contract the blood vessels which in turn can help heal a bruise quicker. Certain health conditions, medications, and even inherited disorders can cause random bruising. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. Sometimes unexplained bruising on your legs or body is because of hereditary factors. To learn more, please visit our. Know the symptoms and what to do if you experience them. Medications such as anticoagulants, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and corticosteroids reduce the bloods ability to clot. According to doctors from the Mayo Clinic, aspirin, some antibiotics, and anticoagulant medications can cause clotting problems. Unexplained Bruising Causes in Older Adults, Bruises Are Rarely Something to Worry About, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/bruises, http://chemocare.com/chemotherapy/side-effects/bruising.aspx, http://www.medicaldaily.com/unexplained-bruising-contusions-377238, http://www.healthyandnaturalworld.com/get-rid-of-bruises/, http://www.emedicinehealth.com/bruises/article_em.htm, http://www.hematology.org/Patients/Bleeding.aspx, https://www.symptomfind.com/health/changing-colors-bruises-and-what-they-mean/, 1 ounce dried of comfrey leaves (or 2 ounces of fresh leaves) finely chopped. The presentation of a fussy infant with bruising: late-onset vitamin K deficiency bleeding. Unexplained bruising Swelling in the abdomen Spider-like red spots on your skin Enlarged breasts Fatigue Confusion Yellowing of skin and eyes Vomiting blood Dark stools Your liver has many functions, including helping in digestion, removing waste from the body, and producing certain proteins. Underlying bleeding disorders such as hemophilia, thrombocytopenia, or factor V deficiency can cause bruising. According to Dr. Melinda Ratini on WebMD, peripheral vascular disease commonly affects the legs.12 The journal Physical Therapy says that a complication of diabetes is bruising or injuries that dont heal.13. Bleeding and bruising. Manypeople with medically unexplained symptoms, such as tiredness, pain andheart palpitations,also have depression or anxiety. Oftentimes, you can reduce your risk for future bruising by making sure youre getting the right nutrients in your diet. I have already mentioned these natural treatments for bruises that are backed by scientific evidence. You and the GP may identify some lifestyle changes and goals that you both think will help relieve your symptoms, such as regular physical activity and better rest. 2004-2023 Healthline Media UK Ltd, Brighton, UK, a Red Ventures Company. Individuals should speak with a doctor. Why do I bruise do easily? Cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and targeted therapy, may also lead to bruising. i do an injection in that place. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. DOI:10.1055/s-2002-23205, last accessed August 2017. They are sometimes known as"medically unexplained symptoms" when they last for more than a few weeks, but doctors can't finda problem with the bodythat may be the cause. As the days go by, the blood in the bruise breaks down further and should turn a purple color (and in some cases, even black). Bleeding Disorders, American Society of Hematology; http://www.hematology.org/Patients/Bleeding.aspx, last accessed August 28, 2017. As a result, there is less body material to cushion a blow, so the body gets bruised easily. What Are the Risk Factors for Random Bruising? Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone. They generally affect the back, legs, and hands. These types of exercises can, at times, cause tears in the blood cells under the skin and lead to bruising. This can be done by wearing protective gear while you play sports or engage in other physical activities that could lead to bruising. 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. Bruising in pregnancy. It's important toconsider whetherany medicine you're taking may be causing your symptoms for example,taking painkillers long term can lead to headaches. Canadian Cancer Society. You may be referred for a talking therapy, such ascognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). On top of genetics, aging can be a factor of unexplained bruising. Unexplained bruising causes in older adults is really the culmination of numerous factors that tend to occur once you get older and begin to reach elderly status. 2023 Dotdash Media, Inc. All rights reserved, Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. A bruise usually starts off as a black and blue patch of skin and gradually turns green or yellow as it heals.1, You may find that the bruises on your body are painful at first but they may start to itch as they heal. 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. If they do not, the bruise might be the underlying sign of a larger health issue. Pour the contents into a sealable jar. If unexplained . Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. As noted in the previous section, the fatty layer of your skin begins to disappear as you get older, giving the blood cells underneath it less protection from various physical causes of bruising. Vitamin deficiencies of various sorts can lead to unexplained bruises. Without enough platelets, your blood clots more slowly than normal. They can make a diagnosis, if needed, and advise you on next steps. People who have this condition have joints that move far beyond the typical range of motion and stretchy skin. This damage causes the blood vessels to leak blood, leading to discoloration of the skin. Also, UV rays can contribute to the dermatoporosis effect in the skin. This makes helichrysum essential oil great for dealing with bruises. Signs and symptoms of vasculitis. Bruising often occurs when blood vessels beneath the skin incur. Our blood naturally clots to prevent excessive bleeding related to an injury. its painless and i have no idea what's the cause. Some studies suggest that certain dietary supplements such as fish oil, garlic, and ginseng may also be factors in bleeding and bruising. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. Blood platelets are specific cells that exist within the blood. Once that fatty layer has thinned, the sun can directly damage blood cells, causing bruising on the skin. Has an estimated prevalence of 1 in 15,000-20,000 and is generally inherited as an autosomal dominant condition. She has been educated in both psychology and journalism, and her dual education has given her the research and writing skills needed to deliver sound and engaging content in the health space. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. While not everyone will experience bruising after a bug bite, it is entirely possible that you develop a small contusion if you get bitten by an insect. Knowing the reason for the appearance of mysterious bruises can help to prevent them in the future. A lack of vitamin C allows weakens the blood vessels and causes the body to bruise easier. Some autoimmune diseases that cause unexplained random bruising are: There are some serious advanced medical conditions that can also cause unexplained bruising on your body. The following are some possible causes of random bruising.