bruising easily all of a sudden
Mayo Clinic Staff. But if you're waking up more mornings than not with a new bruise, you're probably wondering what it means or if there's something more serious going on with your health. (2017). Frequent bruising may also be a sign of Dr. Allison Greco answered. People who have cancer often experience excessive bleeding and bruising. For example, cirrhosis is the result of continuous long-term damage, and bruising easily is a symptom. It could be a sign that you've got a condition called cirrhosis, which is scarring of the liver.It's a serious illness, so see your doctor. White, G. (2008). They can make a diagnosis, if needed, and advise you on next steps. This can cause your platelet count to drop, which will impact your bloods ability to clot and lead to easy bruising and bleeding. Broken blood vessels cause bruises to form on your skin. A ruptured Achilles tendon is not uncommon for athletes and can cause a great deal of pain. Bruises are common and usually disappear with time. We avoid using tertiary references. Taking medications to thin blood or stop clotting, such as aspirin or blood thinners. (2016). There are several types of bleeding that cause skin discoloration, including: Bruises are very common and will affect everyone at some point in their life. Flu-like symptoms ( fatigue, fever, sore throat, It's totally normal to knock into something without remembering the impact again, trauma is the most common cause of a bruise but think about how often it's happening to you or how severe the bruises look. Benabio J. Having a condition or receiving treatment that affects your blood platelet count (such as. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could Doctors will check a womans platelet levels throughout a pregnancy term, but bruising could be a symptom of gestational thrombocytopenia, which leads to a low platelet count. If you have a darker skin tone, you may notice purple, dark brown or black bruising. Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development, Mayo Clinic on Incontinence - Mayo Clinic Press, NEW Mayo Clinic on High Blood Pressure - Mayo Clinic Press, Mayo Clinic on Hearing and Balance - Mayo Clinic Press, FREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment - Mayo Clinic Press, Mayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book - Mayo Clinic Press, Financial Assistance Documents Minnesota, Assisted Walking and Mobility Options at Mayo Clinic Store, Balanced skincare Solutions from Mayo Clinic Store, Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, 5th Edition, Newsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter Digital Edition. Pain or tenderness (sore feeling) when you touch the bruise. Thrombocytopenia in pregnancy. Certain dietary supplements, such as ginkgo biloba, also can increase bruising risk due to a blood-thinning effect. People who have cancer and are struggling to eat may also experience vitamin deficiencies that impact the bloods ability to clot. Cleveland Clinic Community Care puts patients first by offering comprehensive, coordinated, personalized healthcare. (2017). The most common causes of bruising easily all of a sudden are low platelet (such as immune thrombocytopenia), blood-thining medications, and vitamin deficiencies such as vitamin C and K deficiency. It may also be an indication of a vitamin deficiency, or a deficiency in the compounds needed for blood clotting. Finally, if you're experiencing other problems, too, such as chest pain, shortness of breath, blood in your poop, bleeding gums, bloody noses, new headaches, weight loss, or fatigue, it's definitely time to book that appointment, says Dr. Elliott. If you often find yourself wondering why you're bruising easily, you suspect you might have any of the above conditions, or you check off any of the risk factors, talk to your doctor, says Dr. Vyas. Signs and symptoms of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. If you need help because of domestic violence or sexual assault, talk with a healthcare professional, or access resources and assistance through our domestic violence resource guide. In this article well take a closer look at what can cause you to bruise easily and when its important to see your doctor. Easy bruising. Regular aspirin use (say, if you're taking it daily to reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke) can lead to more bruising for reasons similar to blood thinners, cautions Dr. Vyas. Everyone gets a few black-and-blue bruises every now and then who doesn't have routine run-ins with their desk or bed frame? Anticoagulants (blood thinners) and over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications like aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil), and naproxen (Aleve) affect your bloods ability to clot. If you're unsure as to whether you have any of the above issues, but you still wake up with bruises a lot, consider where you see the marks. Sometimes, bruising is a sign of a more serious issue, so talk to a healthcare provider if you experience unexplained or large bruises. Underlying bleeding disorders such as hemophilia, thrombocytopenia, or factor V deficiency can cause bruising. Bruising occurs when blood becomes trapped under the skin, usually following an impact injury that damages small blood vessels. Certain medications make you more susceptible to bruising. Cines, D. B., & Levine, L. D. (2017). However, if you bruise easily, even a minor bump can result in a substantial bruise. The exact causes are unknown, and it tends to resolve on its own. If you seem to be bruising easily, it could also be due to medications, a medical condition, or even a vitamin deficiency. FYI, people with heavy periods and those who are pregnant or breastfeeding are more prone to an iron deficiency, according to the American Society of Hematology. Skin in older adults is generally thinner, which can increase your risk of bruising. Last medically reviewed on December 7, 2021. Extensive bruising secondary to vitamin C deficiency. Headaches come in lots of varieties, and some are easily recognizable. This allows enough blood to leak out under the skin to cause a bruise. Causes of easy bruising include medications, supplements, diseases of the blood, and other conditions that affect blood clotting. Some Types of Cancer. What steps can I take to lower my risk of bruising? Other symptoms of vitamin K deficiency include: If you suspect that your bruising is a result of deficiency, see a healthcare provider. It is rare in adults, generally occurring in the neonatal period. You may also be able to prevent getting bruised by taking the following steps: Call your doctor if youre bruising more frequently than usual and if bruising is accompanied by bleeding from anywhere else. However, if a person experiences other symptoms alongside random bruising, further investigation may be necessary. Your body quickly tries to repair the damage, and if it's not fast enough, you'll get a bruise. People who have hemophilia A are missing an important clotting factor, factor VIII, resulting in excessive bleeding and bruising. And other tests such as platelet coombs test, anti-platelet antibodies, etc. It's not likely, but it's possible that your bruises are a sign of bloodcancer, such as leukemia. Mayo Clinic Staff. "The more physically active you are, the more likely you are to bruise or bleed," says Dr. Elliott. Most bruises are nothing to worry about and will heal within a couple of weeks. Last medically reviewed on June 29, 2020, A bruise usually results from a blow to the body. There are several ways that your blood vessels could break, including: You and your healthcare provider can identify a bruise by your symptoms, especially the look and color of the mark on your skin. Also, your blood vessels get more fragile. Bleeding under the skin may also present as pinprick-sized red or purple dots that resemble a rash. Intense exercise can leave you with more than just sore muscles. UW Health. This content does not have an English version. Get useful, helpful and relevant health + wellness information. 7th ed. The tricky part is knowing which. It may seem scary, but if you feel fine and don't have any other symptoms, it's probably nothing to worry about. If you notice this happening, don't stop taking your medication, but do talk to your doctor about it. This causes blood to seep out of your blood vessel and pool underneath your skin, as there isnt an opening (wound) for your blood to get out of your body. Some supplements, like fish oil and ginkgo, can do it too. Also, if you're short on iron (or specifically have iron-deficiency anemia, a condition in which your body is short on red blood cells), you might notice more marks on the skin, says Dr. Vyas. This will allow him/her to examine you, ask specific questions. When this happens, blood leaks out of the vessels and initially appears as a dark mark. Clopidogrel (Plavix) is commonly used in patients with ischemic heart disease. (2011). Symptoms can occur at any age, but most severe cases tend to occur during childhood. Nosebleeds without a known cause. People with ITP may develop bruises for no apparent reason. You can apply heat several times throughout the day. It mostly occurs in females who have a mental health condition or emotional stress. The most common cause is aging or the side effect of medications such as blood thinners or chemotherapy. Problems with two major organs your liver and kidneys can cause blood abnormalities. Steroids and anti-depressants can also make you bruise more easily. AIcohoI-induced bone marrow suppression leads to easy bruising all of a sudden when the platelets drop below a certain number. If you experience frequent or unexplained bruising, your provider may order tests to rule out possible causes. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and targeted therapy, may also lead to bruising. Your skin may appear red, purple, blue or black. If you do play a contact sport, make sure you have the proper gear, such as a helmet or shoulder or knee pads. This morning on Sky's Sophy Ridge on Sunday, nurses union leader Pat Cullen attacked the government over its failure to give RCN members a decent pay rise There is a problem with Unexplained weight loss. Here are 10 easy treatments to lessen the pain and reduce the visibility. Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional. The ITP is often triggered by viral infections or certain medications such as aspirin and carbamazepine. Oftentimes, you can reduce your risk for future bruising by making sure youre getting the right nutrients in your diet. Disseminated intravascular coagulation is a rare, life threatening condition. Swelling or a raised bump on your skin (hematoma). ", Merck Manual: "Bruising and Bleeding," "Purpura Simplex. Some antibiotics such as cephalosporins (as Cefotriaxone), Linezolid (Zyvox), sulfonamides, Penicillins, Rifampin, Vancomycin, and others. 16. Next, read what you need to know about bruising easily (anemia isn't always the answer, BTW). Bruising easily can have a wide range of possible underlying causes, including blood-clotting problems or a blood disease. Keeping an eye out for other unusual symptoms may help you determine if theres an underlying cause. You can take these steps to lower your risk of injury and bruising by: Bruises can be unsightly, but most bruises fade without treatment. They generally affect the back, legs, and hands. Elsevier; 2020. https://www.clinicalkey.com. When to see a doctor or other healthcare provider, thedermblog.com/2008/03/17/why-do-women-bruise-more-easily-than-men/, mdanderson.org/patients-family/diagnosis-treatment/emotional-physical-effects/bleeding-bruising-cancer.html, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15235-bruises, ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/ehlers-danlos-syndrome, ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/factor-v-deficiency, hemophilia.org/Bleeding-Disorders/Types-of-Bleeding-Disorders/Hemophilia-A, hemophilia.org/Bleeding-Disorders/Types-of-Bleeding-Disorders/Hemophilia-B, nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/immune-thrombocytopenia, merckmanuals.com/professional/nutritional-disorders/vitamin-deficiency,-dependency,-and-toxicity/vitamin-k, mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cushing-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20351310, mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ehlers-danlos-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20362125, mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/healthy-aging/in-depth/easy-bruising/art-20045762, mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hemophilia/symptoms-causes/syc-20373327, mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/ibuprofen-oral-route/description/drg-20070602, mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/iron-deficiency-anemia/symptoms-causes/syc-20355034, mayoclinic.org/documents/mc5129-0709-sp-rpt-pdf/doc-20079085, mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/von-willebrand-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20354978, macmillan.org.uk/information-and-support/lymphoma/lymphoma-non-hodgkin/understanding-cancer/signs-and-symptoms.html, uwhealth.org/health/topic/symptom/bruises-and-blood-spots-under-the-skin/bruse.html, ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminC-Consumer/, health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/why-do-i-bruise-more-easily-as-i-age.