If your doctor decides medication is probably causing your bruising, he or she will discuss other options.
When the cause of bruising is unclear, your doctor will likely order blood work to check for platelet problems or other blood clotting abnormalities. Bruises are often caused by a simple accident. But sometimes medication, a vitamin deficiency or a blood disorder is to blame. Learn more about vaccine availability. Advertising Policy. You have successfully subscribed to our newsletter.
Related Articles. Easy bruising may also run in families, so people whose relatives bruise easily may notice that they do as well. It can be difficult for a person to assess whether they have more bruises than usual or bruise more easily than most other people. Some signs that a person bruises more easily than is typical include:. Numerous medical conditions and lifestyle issues can cause a person to bruise more easily. The most common include:.
Medications that thin the blood may cause a person to bleed and bruise more. Some popular blood thinners include:. Some other medications may weaken or change the behavior of blood vessels, worsen inflammation , or otherwise increase the risk of bleeding.
They may include the following:. People taking medication who notice an increase in bleeding or bruising should ask their doctor if their medication can cause bleeding.
If this is the case, they can discuss with the doctor the risks and benefits of continuing treatment. Alcohol abuse is a key risk factor for liver diseases, such as cirrhosis. Cirrhosis and other liver diseases slowly undermine liver function.
As liver disease progresses , the liver may stop producing the proteins that help the blood clot. As a result, a person may experience excessive bleeding and easy bruising. They may also become very itchy, feel very tired or sick, and have swollen legs, dark urine, and yellowing eyes or skin. Liver disease is treatable, especially when a doctor diagnoses it early. People who drink should immediately stop when they develop symptoms of liver health problems. A doctor can provide advice on the right combination of medical treatments and lifestyle remedies.
A person with this condition has defective or absent von Willebrand protein, which is important for blood clotting. Both of these proteins are important for blood clotting. Extreme fatigue to the point where it's hard for you to function. Shaking chills. Symptoms of serious illness in a baby may include the following: The baby is limp and floppy like a rag doll.
The baby doesn't respond at all to being held, touched, or talked to. The baby is hard to wake up. Long-term alcohol and drug problems. Steroid medicines, which may be used to treat a variety of conditions. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy for cancer. Other medicines used to treat autoimmune disease. Medicines taken after organ transplant.
Not having a spleen. Call Now Based on your answers, you need emergency care. Seek Care Today Based on your answers, you may need care soon.
Call your doctor today to discuss the symptoms and arrange for care. If you cannot reach your doctor or you don't have one, seek care today. If it is evening, watch the symptoms and seek care in the morning. If the symptoms get worse, seek care sooner. Seek Care Now Based on your answers, you may need care right away. Call your doctor now to discuss the symptoms and arrange for care. If you cannot reach your doctor or you don't have one, seek care in the next hour.
You do not need to call an ambulance unless: You cannot travel safely either by driving yourself or by having someone else drive you. You are in an area where heavy traffic or other problems may slow you down. Make an Appointment Based on your answers, the problem may not improve without medical care. Make an appointment to see your doctor in the next 1 to 2 weeks.
If appropriate, try home treatment while you are waiting for the appointment. If symptoms get worse or you have any concerns, call your doctor. Home Treatment Home Treatment If your bruise does not require an evaluation by a doctor, you may be able to use home treatment to help relieve pain, swelling, and stiffness. Rest and protect a bruised area. Ice will reduce pain and swelling. Apply ice or cold packs immediately to prevent or minimize swelling.
Apply the ice or cold pack for 10 to 20 minutes, 3 or more times a day. For the first 48 hours after an injury, avoid things that might increase swelling, such as hot showers, hot tubs, hot packs, or alcoholic beverages. After 48 to 72 hours, if swelling is gone, apply heat and begin gentle exercise with the aid of moist heat to help restore and maintain flexibility.
Some experts recommend alternating between hot and cold treatments. Compression , or wrapping the bruised area with an elastic bandage such as an Ace wrap , will help decrease swelling.
Don't wrap it too tightly, as this can cause more swelling below the affected area. Loosen the bandage if it gets too tight. Signs that the bandage is too tight include numbness, tingling, increased pain, coolness, or swelling in the area below the bandage.
Talk to your doctor if you think you need to use a wrap for longer than 48 to 72 hours. A more serious problem may be present.
Elevate the bruised area on pillows while applying ice and anytime you are sitting or lying down. Try to keep the area at or above the level of your heart to help minimize swelling. Gently massage or rub the area to relieve pain and encourage blood flow. Do not massage the bruised area if it causes pain. Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label. If the doctor gave you a prescription medicine for pain, take it as prescribed.
If you are not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask your doctor if you can take an over-the-counter medicine. If desired, apply a natural product directly to the bruise. Witch hazel may help heal damaged veins. Arnica may stimulate healing. Do not smoke or use other tobacco products. Smoking slows healing because it decreases blood supply and delays tissue repair.
For more information, see the topic Quitting Smoking. Symptoms to watch for during home treatment Call your doctor if any of the following occur during home treatment: A bruise lasts longer than 2 weeks.
Signs of skin infection develop. Symptoms become more severe or frequent. New symptoms develop. Prevention Prevention You can't always prevent bruises , but most of the time bruises are not a cause for concern. If you take aspirin, other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs , or blood-thinning medicines anticoagulants , keep regular appointments with your doctor so that he or she can monitor your medicine dosages and make any necessary changes or adjustments.
Eat a variety of foods to avoid dietary deficiencies. Nutritional deficiencies of vitamins C, K, or B12, or folic acid can affect blood clotting.
Include a daily selection of: Whole-grain and enriched breads, cereals, and grain products. 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.
When this happens, blood leaks out of the vessels and initially appears as a black-and-blue mark. Eventually your body reabsorbs the blood, and the mark disappears. Generally, harder blows cause larger bruises. However, if you bruise easily, a minor bump — one you might not even notice — can result in a substantial bruise.
Some people — especially women — are more prone to bruising than others. As you get older, your skin also becomes thinner and loses some of the protective fatty layer that helps cushion your blood vessels from injury. Aspirin, anticoagulant medications and anti-platelet agents reduce your blood's ability to clot. Antibiotics might also be associated with clotting problems. As a result, bleeding from capillary damage might take longer than usual to stop — which allows enough blood to leak out to cause a bigger bruise.
Topical and systemic corticosteroids — which can be used to treat various conditions, including allergies, asthma and eczema — cause your skin to thin, making it easier to bruise. Certain dietary supplements, such as ginkgo, also can increase your bruising risk due to a blood-thinning effect.
If you experience increased bruising, don't stop taking your medications. Talk to your doctor about your concerns. Also, make sure your doctor is aware of any supplements you're taking — especially if you're taking them while on a blood-thinning drug. Your doctor might recommend avoiding certain over-the-counter medications or supplements.
Easy bruising sometimes indicates a serious underlying condition, such as a blood-clotting problem or a blood disease. See your doctor if you:. To find the cause of your bruising, your doctor might check your blood platelet levels or do tests that measure the time it takes your blood to clot. Other serious causes of bruising include domestic violence or abuse.
0コメント