Why bruises happen

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. Synthetic versions of these clotting factors can help treat hemophilia and reduce the risk of serious bleeding, including severe bruises. When a genetic bleeding disorder causes easy bruising, it is also possible that the person may bleed to excess or even experience life-threatening hemorrhages.

The symptoms do not appear suddenly. Instead, they are present from birth, so genetic bleeding disorders are most commonly present in babies and young children.

Certain vitamins enable the body to heal and the blood to clot. Deficiencies in vitamin C can cause a condition called scurvy. Scurvy causes bleeding gums, wounds that do not heal, and easy bruising. Vitamin K helps the body form clots to stop bleeding.

Newborns often have very low levels of vitamin K, which are insufficient to stop bleeding. Without a vitamin K injection at birth, babies may bruise easily or bleed excessively. Adults who are very deficient in vitamin K may also notice a sudden increase in bruising.

Vitamin deficiencies are usually reasonably easy to correct. However, it is important that a doctor diagnoses these deficiencies with a blood test so that they can recommend the appropriate vitamin supplement. If vitamin supplements do not cure the issue, this may mean that a person has another problem, such as a metabolic or gastrointestinal disorder that makes it difficult for the body to absorb nutrients. Vasculitis refers to a group of conditions that cause inflamed blood vessels.

In addition to increased bleeding and bruising, a person may experience shortness of breath, numbness in the limbs, and ulcers, skin lumps, or purple spots on the skin. The type of treatment depends on the severity of the vasculitis and which area of the body it affects.

Bruises are not typically something to cause undue worry. Often, they are a surface injury that requires no medical attention, and people can treat them at home. One common issue is a hematoma. A hematoma is a large collection of blood that becomes trapped within tissues. It is often related to more significant trauma.

When a hematoma occurs, the body cannot heal the bruise as easily or quickly as a minor injury. As a result, a hematoma stays the same color, firmness, and causes the same level of pain even after several days. People may want to try to speed healing or lessen any pain associated with bruising.

There are some potential at-home methods they can try, as described here:. One of the first steps to helping a bruise heal is to apply ice to the area. People can ice the area with anything frozen, such as a freezer pack or a bag of frozen vegetables.

Wrap the cold object in a towel or cloth and apply to the affected area. Do not apply a cold pack directly to the skin, as this can cause further injury. When a person applies ice to a new bruise, it helps to slow bleeding down and lessen the swelling. This can reduce the overall size of the bruise, as it prevents blood from leaking further and reduces inflammation. Many people use arnica, quercetin, vitamin B-3, or vitamin K creams to help speed up bruise healing times.

People can also use over-the-counter pain medicine, such as acetaminophen Tylenol and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs to reduce pain and inflammation around the bruise. Avoid aspirin , as it can increase bleeding.

Avoiding NSAIDs may also be necessary when bruising occurs after surgery or with extensive bruises, as these drugs risk worsening the bleeding. The use of a soft elastic wrap, during waking hours, for the first 1—2 days can help decrease bruising and discomfort after an injury. The wrap should be firm but not tight. Numbness, tingling or increased discomfort means the wrap should be loosened or removed.

Elevating the bruised area has a similar effect to icing the bruise. It helps prevent the bruise from getting bigger. If you have severe swelling or inflammation, your doctor may use an X-ray to check for any broken or fractured bones. Patterns of bruises and bruises in different stages of healing may indicate physical abuse.

Doctors will usually run more tests for blood clotting and look for thrombi in arteries and veins. They may order:. Because blood clots can occur in a wide variety of places, your doctor may choose certain tests depending on where they suspect a clot is located.

Pain-reducing medications such as aspirin may also help. If you have a blood clot, your doctor might prescribe medications to treat the clot. People typically receive this medication as an injection under the skin. You typically take this medication by mouth for three to six months. Both blood clots and bruises can range from minor to severe, and their effects on the body are different. Typically, blood clots can lead to more serious health problems.

Seek immediate medical help if you suspect you have a blood clot. Thrombophlebitis is inflammation of a vein, usually in the leg.

It can cause swelling or redness and can lead to a pulmonary embolism if not treated…. A bruise, or contusion, occurs when an area of skin has suffered trauma. The injury causes blood vessels to burst, trapping blood below the skin's…. Bruising happens when blood vessels under the skin break and spread into surrounding tissue. Learn about causes, diagnosis, and more.

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