Anticoagulants (blood thinners) and over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications like aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil), and naproxen (Aleve) affect your bloods ability to clot. Unexplained bruising on the legs . When your blood takes longer to clot, more of it leaks from your blood vessels and accumulates under your skin. Anyone who suspects liver or kidney disease should consult a doctor. That is one reason why some people shouldnt take turmeric regularly for medicinal purposes. If you notice abnormal bleeding under your skin after a sunburn, you should call your doctor for a checkup.9. Bruises, Cleveland Clinic; https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/bruises, last accessed August 28, 2017. However, taking anticoagulants and antibiotics that interfere with vitamin K production may cause deficiencies. I have a bruise on the bottom left side of my stomach. These types of exercises can, at times, cause tears in the blood cells under the skin and lead to bruising. Stratakis CA. Bruising is the most common injury sustained by children who have been subject to physical abuse. 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. Achilles Tendon Rupture: Symptoms to Look For, Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI, Ruptured Spleen: Symptoms and Treatment in Adults and Children, Drug-Related Bicycle Accidents Drawing Concerns, a crawling or tingling feeling in your legs, cravings to eat things that are not food, such as ice, dirt, or clay, excessive bleeding from punctures or wounds, tingling, pain, or numbness in the hands or feet, severe bleeding after injuries, dental work, or surgeries, nosebleeds that last longer than 10 minutes, a cough, difficulty swallowing, or breathlessness (if the lymphoma is in the chest area), indigestion, stomach pain, or weight loss (if the lymphoma is in the stomach or bowel), excessive bleeding after injury, surgery, or childbirth, purple stretch marks on the breasts, arms, abdomen, and thighs, fatty tissue deposits in the face and upper back, a bruise that increases in size over time, a bruise that doesnt change within two weeks, severe night sweats (that soak through your clothes), unusually heavy periods or large blood clots in menstrual flow. eMedicineHealth. Individuals should speak with a doctor. Most bruises form when small blood vessels (capillaries) near the skin's surface are broken by the impact of a blow or injury often on the arms or legs. Bruises are often harmless, but they can sometimes indicate a medical condition that requires medical treatment. Liver disease may also make legs swell and cause intestinal bleeding.18. It is more commonly associated with specific insects. Whenever this blood gets trapped under the surface of the skin, it will form a bruise. If they do not, the bruise might be the underlying sign of a larger health issue. Let's look at symptoms and treatments. Bruises happen to all of us, and there is no way to avoid them. 4.9k views Answered >2 years ago. Acanthosis nigricans is a condition that can develop in people living with diabetes (most often connected with type 2 diabetes) where there is too much insulin in the blood stream. Bleeding and bruising in cancer patients. WebMD. Mayo Clinic Staff. Add the beeswax to the mixture and stir over low heat until the beeswax melts. The syndrome causes easy bruising because it can lead to thinning skin. Benabio J. I have a small bruising on my stomach with a small lump under it. For others, the symptoms may be part of a poorly understood syndrome, such as: The fact that doctors are unable to find a condition causing these symptoms isn't unusual in medicine, and it doesn't mean that nothing can be done to help you. The warning signs of blood cancer | Patient In adults with unexplained bruising, bleeding, petechiae, or hepatosplenomegaly consider arranging: A very urgent full blood count including platelet count (within 48 hours) and blood film. The purple and black phase usually occurs within two or three days. While there's no evidence of a specific genetic component that drives random bruising, studies have shown that people who bruise easily often have close family members who suffer from easy bruising. (2009). Are you taking too much anti-inflammatory medication? When blood isnt clotting like it should, bleeding can be heavier or longer than normal. This may help speed the healing process because it lowers inflammation and prevents more blood from pooling in the area. All rights reserved. 2012;98(6):355-359. 2016;93(4). Bruising | Health topics A to Z | CKS | NICE It aids in the delivery of oxygen throughout the body to cells and without adequate oxygen, skin becomes more likely to bruise. DOI:10.1055/s-2002-23205, last accessed August 2017. Native to Europe and Asia, comfrey is a type of shrub that contains allantoin, a chemical that helps skin cells grow and can help speed up the healing process. Common Causes of Unexplained Bruising | Buoy Random Bruising: 13 Possible Causes Excluding Obvious Injury - Healthline What causes unexplained bruising? This bleeding disorder is a lifelong condition. Researchers are expressing concerns over the number of bicycle accidents involving drugs. Bruises (Ecchymosis): Symptoms, Causes, Treatment & Prevention If you find yourself constantly bruised up and dont know why, contact your healthcare provider as you may have an underlying health condition or nutrient deficiency to blame for the constant contusions. This can result in bruising easily on your legs or other areas of your body. Start with an ice pack wrapped in a towel (not directly on the skin). They usually heal without treatment, but home remedies for bruises may be, Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. Vasculitis - NHS People who have cancer and are struggling to eat may also experience vitamin deficiencies that impact the bloods ability to clot. By using our website, you consent to our use of cookies. The National Hemophilia Foundation. However, if a bruise persists, changes in size, or looks unusual, there may be an underlying condition or other factors. That being said, you should see your doctor if: Its difficult to avoid bruising completely, especially when the cause is unknown. Medicine such asantidepressantscan be helpful, even if you're not depressed. If youre bleeding more than normal for some reason, the blood will pool under your skin and cause a bruise. Ehlers-Danlos syndromes are a group of hereditary health conditions that negatively affect the function and structure of connective tissues such as the skin, joints, and walls of the blood vessels. White, G. (2008). The area tends to be swollen and painful. It can be used as part of an ointment like the one described below. The presentation of a fussy infant with bruising: late-onset vitamin K deficiency bleeding. Massage the mixture carefully into the bruised area (not too hard or you will cause further damage in the bruise). But what about more subtle symptoms? 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. One cause of random bruising on legs or bruises that appear after a minor injury is a vitamin deficiency. In some people, random bruising may be impacted by their genes simply because of how they are physically built. On top of genetics, aging can be a factor of unexplained bruising. Read on to learn more about common causes, what to watch for, and when to see a doctor. (2017). When the bruise turns yellow, its because more bilirubin is responsible for breaking down the blood and when it turns green, it is the action of biliverdin. Last medically reviewed on June 28, 2020, A bruise usually results from a blow to the body. For example, vitamin C is used by the body to strengthen blood vessels. Authors of the report said that 90% of bruising occurs on the legs and arms and very rarely on the neck, ears, buttocks, or soles of the feet.4. 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. Random bruising on your legs (as well as on other body parts) can cause unsightly skin discoloration as a result of a mild trauma or injury. However, medicine isn't always the answer painkillers or sedatives, for example,may lead to dependence. Bruises often change colors as they heal. Extensive bruising secondary to vitamin C deficiency. Unexplained Bruising on Your Body: Causes and Treatments, Jenny Hills, Nutritionist and Medical Writer, why some people shouldnt take turmeric regularly, get relief from sunburn using natural remedies, Warning Signs That You Have Poor Blood Circulation, Seven Types of Pain You should Never Ignore, Top 10 Natural Remedies for Swollen Ankles, Legs and Feet. Usually, bruises disappear in about two weeks. Bleeding disorders occur when the blood doesnt clot as it should. (2009). Sunburn can take a long time to heal and its effects can be long-lasting. This is due to weakening blood vessels that are more prone to breakage even with slight injury to the area. The colour of the bumps and patches usually changes and fades, like a bruise. If a bruise lasts well past the four-week mark, its a good idea to seek medical advice as it may be a sign of one of the conditions mentioned. A bone bruise is a type of bruise that occurs when blood and fluid build up inside and around an injured bone. Vitamin K is one of the nutrients that help blood to clot. 2004-2023 Healthline Media UK Ltd, Brighton, UK, a Red Ventures Company. For potential or actual medical emergencies, immediately call 911 or your local emergency service. This essential oil mixture works rather well if it is applied right after a round of ice or cold therapy. For example, vitamin C is used by the body to strengthen blood vessels.