Why do some people bruise easily

And absence or reduction in the amount of these proteins will make you prone to bleeding and bruising. It is important to have alcohol only in moderation or not at all. However, it is best to check in with your doctor instead of self-diagnosing since a lot of conditions have overlapping symptoms. Deficiency of vitamin K or C may be another possible reason for your easy bruising.

While vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin that plays an important role in the process of blood clotting, vitamin C is responsible for the formation of collagen in the body. Collagen is a protein that maintains the structural integrity of the skin and connective tissues blood vessels for example.

Lack of this protein may cause the blood vessels to become brittle and hence break easily. Similarly, various proteins involved in blood clotting are dependent on vitamin K for their function. Lack of this vitamin may hinder the process of coagulation and make you bleed and bruise easily. 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. If a loved one has an unexplainable bruise, particularly in an unusual location such as on the face, be aware of the possibility of abuse. Unfortunately, once a bruise has formed, not much can be done to treat it. Most bruises eventually disappear as your body reabsorbs the blood, although healing might take longer as you age. It might help to elevate the affected area and apply ice. There is a problem with information submitted for this request.

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This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here. Bruising is a discoloration of the skin caused by leakage of blood from the small blood vessels in the skin into the tissue that surrounds them. Everyone is different and just because some women bruise easily, does not mean they all do. However, Dr. Torkildson gave a reason why dermatologists agree that women tend to bruise more easily. Collagen forms a network of fibers in the skin that hold it together like a net.

The collagen supports blood vessels, so they are more protected from injury. The dense collagen layer is thicker in men and the blood vessels are held more securely, which makes them less likely to break with injury. Do you fall off the monkey bars, are your feet as far from the ground as you are tall?

No matter how virtual our lifestyles get, bruises and scraped knees will always be a sign of active, happy kids. If your kiddo is showing any of these signs, make an appointment with their pediatrician to see if there might be a deeper issue to address. Refer to the indicators above.

If none of those apply to you, then you likely have nothing to worry about. Rarely, a sudden increase in bleeding, including bruising, may be a sign of cancer. Cancers that affect the blood and bone marrow , such as leukemia , may cause bruising. A person may also notice bleeding gums. Many cancers are highly treatable, especially with an early diagnosis.

People should never allow fear to delay treatment but should see a doctor right away. Chemotherapy , medication, and surgery can save lives. Easy bruising is a medical emergency if there is a large, massive bruise that appears to be continuously bleeding under the skin. Injuries to organs are also an emergency, so a person should go to the emergency room if they sustain a hard blow to the back, chest, or stomach, if a bruise is very painful, or if it is unusually black or swollen.

People should consult a doctor about easy bruising if:. In most cases, easy bruising is a minor inconvenience that is due either to genetic factors or a minor medical condition. However, bruising can also be an early warning sign that something is wrong with the organs or blood vessels. Therefore, it is best not to ignore a change in bruising pattern and to err on the side of seeing a doctor.

Different skin types require different skin care products. Read on to learn more about the best skin care products for each skin type. A look at crepey skin, a common complaint where the skin looks thin and wrinkled.

Learn more about how to prevent and treat this condition. Sebaceous hyperplasia causes small, inflamed bumps to appear on the skin. Learn about the causes, symptoms, and treatment options in this article. What to know about bruising easily Medically reviewed by J. Keith Fisher, M.