May occur following a lack of fresh fruit and vegetables over prolonged periods of time. Bleeding under the skin may also present as pinprick-sized red or purple dots that resemble a rash. Bad bruises, also known as hematomas, can occur following a more serious injury. Vitamin K. Not understanding the causecan make them even more distressing and difficult to cope with. Bruising: Summary. 2-3 weeks apart. People with low counts of blood platelets often bruise easily because there are fewer platelets in the blood to repair damaged blood vessels. Bruises, Cleveland Clinic; https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/bruises, last accessed August 28, 2017. Skin manifestations of Cushing's syndrome. It is difficult to make a diagnosis without an examination. If unexplained you should be examined by a physician, as it could be nothing to worry about but it could represent a skin disorder, or clotting disorder. Sjukratilfelli og sjukdomseinkenni [Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type IV. Bruising in pregnancy. Signs and symptoms of acute lymphocytic leukemia. Benabio J. AAFP. Bruises are often harmless, but they can sometimes indicate a medical condition that requires medical treatment. People with this condition bruise easily, with bleeding from small blood vessels under the skin. A person with kidney disease bruises easily due to a loss of skin elasticity. Bruise symptoms and signs. Last medically reviewed on June 28, 2020, A bruise usually results from a blow to the body. Unexplained bruising on the legs . Thrombophilia typically has no symptoms until a blood clot develops. White, G. (2008). 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. It aids in the delivery of oxygen throughout the body to cells and without adequate oxygen, skin becomes more likely to bruise. much larger than a dime. Medications that are used for rheumatoid arthritis can often lead to unexplained bruises. This can damage blood vessels and causes blood to pool below the surface of the skin, leaving behind black, blue, purple, brown, green, or yellow marks. These compounds are known as biliverdin and bilirubin and are actually pigments that occur naturally when they break down blood. Apply a warm, wet tea bag to the bruise two or three times a day for best results. Other symptoms of vitamin K deficiency include: If you suspect that your bruising is a result of deficiency, see a healthcare provider. People who have this condition have joints that move far beyond the typical range of motion and stretchy skin. WebMD. (2017). (2016). But first, we need to look at the different types of bruises and what causes them. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. Without enough platelets, your blood clots more slowly than normal. Thrombocytopenia in pregnancy. Warm applications tend to dissolve this type of clot. That being said, you should see your doctor if: Its difficult to avoid bruising completely, especially when the cause is unknown. Dyer JM, Miller RA. It is impossible to completely prevent bruising. Leukaemia and myeloma happen when there are too many abnormal cells in the blood and bone marrow (where blood cells are made). The tricky part is knowing which. 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. Many essential oils are used to treat various injuries and maladies. According to the NHS website and WebMD, you should see your doctor if you have unexplained bruising along with any of the following symptoms:23, 24. Red spots, also called blood spots, can look similar to bruises, although they dont develop because of an injury. But what does unexplained bruising mean? This occurs in 4.4% to 11.6% of pregnancies. Take a few drops of helichrysum essential oil and mix it with a tablespoon of a carrier oil like coconut or almond oil. My husband woke up this morning with a bruise on the lower left of his stomach he did not hit anything what could be the cause. Finally, the hemoglobin will break down and release a chemical called bilirubin, which will cause the bruise to turn yellow. Ginger should also be used with care if you take medication to thin the blood. The progression of liver disease. These conditions require proper diagnosis and treatment. Bruising: Spontaneous signs of bruising (ecchymoses) can occur after taking aspirin or Aleve (naproxen) or with certain blood or liver disorders. This is a type of cancer that begins in lymphocyte cells, which are immune cells designed to aid in the fight against pathogens. Some medications can lead to easy or random bruising because of how they affect the body. This bleeding disorder is caused by a low platelet count. See a doctor if you suspect your symptoms are a result of von Willebrand disease. This can help reduce the swelling as well as the coloring of the bruise. Chronic skin fragility of aging: current concepts in the pathogenesis, recognition, and management of dermatoporosis. (2009). Massage the oil into the bruised area (again, not too hard). Aging also leads to easier bruising. Medications like aspirin, blood thinners, antibiotics, and anticoagulants can affect the blood cells by making them easier to traumatize, leading to bruising. If youve recently overdone it at the gym, you may develop bruises around the affected muscles. The presentation of a fussy infant with bruising: late-onset vitamin K deficiency bleeding. Usually, bruises disappear in about two weeks. This can cause your platelet count to drop, which will impact your bloods ability to clot and lead to easy bruising and bleeding. Ive been getting a bruise on my left upper ribcage and bruising on my lower right side on my stomach but i haven't had any injury to cause this.. Allow the mixture to simmer for approximately 30 minutes. MedlinePlus. A ruptured spleen can be a life threatening condition and requires immediate attention. They can make a diagnosis, if needed, and advise you on next steps. However, if a bruise persists, changes in size, or looks unusual, there may be an underlying condition or other factors. This bleeding disorder is a lifelong condition. If it doesn't resolve on it's own, see your family doctor. But other symptoms, such as joint pain, may last several weeks or months. I have a small bruising on my stomach with a small lump under it. The first is that the disease itself may cause the bruise. Some people also bruise more easily than others and a seemingly insignificant knock may leave a black and blue dark patch on their skin. This inflammations natural side effect is unexplained bruises. 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. By using our website, you consent to our use of cookies. According to Dr. Debra Jaliman on WebMD, vigorous exercise like lifting weights or intensive training can cause tiny tears in blood vessels under the skin.10. The purple and black phase usually occurs within two or three days. Helichrysum essential oil contains a chemical compound called italidione. When there is a lack of vitamin K, blood can pool easier and lead to bruising. Massage the mixture carefully into the bruised area (not too hard or you will cause further damage in the bruise). Bruising or bleeding that is unexplained Lumps or swellings Shortness of breath (breathlessness) Drenching night sweats Infections that are persistent, recurrent or severe Fever (38C or above) that is unexplained Rash or itchy skin that is unexplained Pain in your bones, joints or abdomen (stomach area) For example, hemophilia and Willebrand disease affect the bloods ability to clot and can cause bleeding and excessive bruising resulting in black or dark skin patches. 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. Thereare things you can do to improve or even relieve some physical symptoms,such as taking regular exercise and managing stress. Bruising occurs when blood becomes trapped under the skin, usually following an impact injury that damages small blood vessels. Without enough vitamin C in the body, random bruising can occur. If you are in pain because of the bruise, you can apply a cold compress to the area to slow down blood flow. Can diet help improve depression symptoms? Here Are Six Possible Reasons Why You Have Them, Medical Daily, March 10, 2016; http://www.medicaldaily.com/unexplained-bruising-contusions-377238, last accessed August 28, 2017. Bernard-Soulier syndrome is a rare, inherited blood clotting disorder. Case study and clinical findings]. Individuals should speak with a doctor. Various autoimmune diseases can be a reason why you are bruising easily and cant find the reason for it. Also runners or joggers toenail is one of the most common reasons for bruised toenails as the toe pushes against the front of the shoe while running or jogging. Meanwhile, vitamin K deficiency can contribute to significant bleeding, poor bone development, and cardiovascular disease. This is a type of cancer that affects your blood as well as your bone marrow. Vitamins and minerals: What you should know about essential nutrients. Page last reviewed: 12 July 2021 The National Cancer Institute says that chemotherapy can cause random bruising, as well as tiny purple or red spots on your skin.20, An unexplained bruise on your breast that doesnt go away could be a sign of inflammatory breast cancer. 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. 7 signs and symptoms not to ignore. This is because they lower the amount of platelets in the blood. Von Willebrand disease is a genetic disorder that affects your bloods ability to clot. its painless and i have no idea what's the cause. Eden, R. E., & Coviello, J. M. (2020). Connect with a U.S. board-certified doctor by text or video anytime, anywhere. You may be referred for a talking therapy, such ascognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). J Am Acad Dermatol. First of all, lets look at what bruises are and what is the main cause of random bruising. Random or unexplained bruising on legs can happen for a number of reasons. According to doctors from the Mayo Clinic, aspirin, some antibiotics, and anticoagulant medications can cause clotting problems. Bruises on the torso, back, or face could especially be a concern. If unexplained . Health A-Z NHS services Live Well Mental health Care and support Pregnancy . Usually, these diseases are accompanied by other symptoms and random bruising occurs in the later stages of the disease. 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. They typically arise due to an underlying health condition such as diabetes. I've had the flu now my stomach and part of my back is bruised what could be the cause? There are some hereditary conditions and bleeding disorders that can cause issues with bruising. If you're in pain, a pharmacist can recommend: stronger painkillers Erickson, F. (2014). Learn more. Without enough platelets, the blood has trouble clotting. Diabetes is a metabolic condition that affects your bodys ability to produce or use insulin. NHS. For example, a lack of vitamin C can lead to scurvy which causes unexplained bruising and bleeding.