Biggest Causes of Easy Bruising
What is a Bruise?
A bruise is a common skin injury caused by breakage of tiny blood vessels leaking under the skin. Blood from damaged blood vessels beneath the skin collects near the surface of the skin to appear as what we recognize as a black and blue mark. This mark is from skin discoloration from red blood cells and their contents.
Bruises can also become bumpy, it’s then called a Hematoma, this happens when blood collects and pools under the skin. As bruises heal, usually within two to four weeks, they can turn all colors of the rainbow including purplish-black, reddish-blue, or yellowish-green. A bruise on the leg usually will take longer to heal than a bruise on the face or arm.
Here are the top reasons you bruise easily:
1. Women bruise more easily than men
2. Sun damaged skin bruises faster
3. You could have an infection or a deficiency of vitamin B12 or folic acid
4. You’re getting older
5. If you require daily medications to thin your blood you will bruise more easily
6. Fair skin tends to bruise more, and be more visible, than darker skin
7. Vasculitis can cause easy bruising
8. A shortage of vitamin C can cause many problems, including bruising
Home Remedies For Bruises
1. A cold compress like an icepack or bag of frozen peas should be applied to the bruised area for 20-30 minutes in order to speed healing and reduce swelling, it works by constricting the underlying blood vessels in response to the cold. Don’t apply ice directly to the skin, wrap the icepack in a towel first!
2. If the bruise takes up a large part of the leg or foot keep the affected leg elevated as much as possible during the first 24 hours after the injury.
3. After about 48 hours apply heat in the form of a warm washcloth to the bruised area for about 10 minutes, do this two or three times a day to increase blood flow to the bruised area, allowing the skin to reabsorb the blood more quickly.
Ultimately, the bruise will fade in color and you will be back to your beautiful self!
Edited 8/29/14 SCD
