In rare cases, easy bruising can be a sign of blood, bone marrow or lymph node cancers. Liver disease could also be a factor.
See a doctor if you have a bruise that lasts longer than two weeks without changing. It may not be a bruise at all or it may be caused by an underlying problem. Tell your physician if you have recurrent bruises without any clear causes. A bruise accompanied by significant pain and swelling also warrants medical attention. IE 11 is not supported. The problem is likely to get worse without medical care. 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.
Call your doctor if any of the following occur during home treatment:. You can't always prevent bruises , but most of the time bruises are not a cause for concern. Bruises are often the first sign of abuse. You may be able to prevent further abuse by reporting it and seeking help.
To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment. You can help your doctor diagnose and treat your condition by being prepared to answer the following questions:. Blahd Jr. Author: Healthwise Staff. Medical Review: William H. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information.
Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content. To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. Updated visitor guidelines. Bruises and Blood Spots Under the Skin.
Topic Overview Bruises Bruises develop when small blood vessels under the skin tear or rupture, most often from a bump or fall. Older adults often bruise easily from minor injuries, especially injuries to the forearms, hands, legs, and feet. As a person ages, the skin becomes less flexible and thinner because there is less fat under the skin. The cushioning effect of the skin decreases as the fat under the skin decreases.
These changes, along with skin damage from exposure to the sun, cause blood vessels to break easily. When blood vessels break, bruising occurs.
Women bruise more easily than men, especially from minor injuries on the thighs, buttocks, and upper arms. A tendency to bruise easily sometimes runs in families. Blood spots Blood spots under the skin may be either purpura or petechiae.
Sudden unexplained bruising or blood spots under the skin or a sudden increase in the frequency of bruising may be caused by: A medicine , such as aspirin or blood thinners anticoagulants. Infection that causes the buildup of toxin in the blood or tissues sepsis. A bleeding or clotting disorder , such as hemophilia , von Willebrand's disease , thrombocytopenia , or another less common bleeding or clotting disorder. Other diseases that affect clotting.
Examples include: Chronic inflammatory diseases, such as lupus. Liver disease, such as cirrhosis. Some types of cancer, such as Hodgkin's disease , leukemia , or multiple myeloma. Inflammation of a blood vessel vasculitis.
Malnutrition, such as deficiencies of vitamins B12 , C, or K, or folic acid. Check Your Symptoms Do you have bruises or blood spots under the skin? If a bruise is rapidly spreading, you need try to stop the bleeding under the skin. Wrap the area not too tightly with an elastic bandage, such as an Ace wrap, and keep it on until you see a doctor. You can also put direct pressure on the area for 15 minutes at a time.
How old are you? Less than 3 years. Are you male or female? Why do we ask this question? The medical assessment of symptoms is based on the body parts you have. If you are transgender or nonbinary, choose the sex that matches the body parts such as ovaries, testes, prostate, breasts, penis, or vagina you now have in the area where you are having symptoms. If you have some organs of both sexes, you may need to go through this triage tool twice once as "male" and once as "female".
This will make sure that the tool asks the right questions for you. Do you have symptoms of shock? The symptoms in an adult or older child are different than the symptoms in a young child. Has there been a decrease in how alert or aware you are or how well you can think and respond?
Do you have symptoms of a serious illness? The symptoms in an adult or older child are different than the symptoms in a baby or toddler. Are there any symptoms of infection? Are there red streaks leading away from the area or pus draining from it? Do you have diabetes, a weakened immune system , peripheral arterial disease, or any surgical hardware in the area?
Diabetes, immune problems, peripheral arterial disease, or surgical hardware in affected area. Do you think you may have a fever? Do you have any abnormal bleeding? Do you feel lightheaded or dizzy, like you are going to faint? It's normal for some people to feel a little lightheaded when they first stand up. But anything more than that may be serious. Are you bleeding now?
Do you think that the bruising may have been caused by abuse? Has the number or size of bruises or blood spots increased for no clear reason? Was the increase in bruises or blood spots fast?
Do you take a medicine that affects the blood's ability to clot? This may include blood thinners and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs such as aspirin and ibuprofen.
These medicines can cause bleeding and can make it harder to control bleeding. Were the bruises caused by an injury? Did a large, painful, very swollen bruise develop within 30 minutes after the injury? Have you had bruises or blood spots for more than 2 weeks? These include: Your age. Babies and older adults tend to get sicker quicker. Your overall health. If you have a condition such as diabetes, HIV, cancer, or heart disease, you may need to pay closer attention to certain symptoms and seek care sooner.
Medicines you take. Certain medicines, such as blood thinners anticoagulants , medicines that suppress the immune system like steroids or chemotherapy, herbal remedies, or supplements can cause symptoms or make them worse.
Recent health events , such as surgery or injury. These kinds of events can cause symptoms afterwards or make them more serious. Your health habits and lifestyle , such as eating and exercise habits, smoking, alcohol or drug use, sexual history, and travel. Yellowish-brown or light brown This is the final stage of bruising and typically occurs between days after the initial trauma. What is the difference between a bruise, contusion and hematoma Bruises are also called contusions.
If you experience any of the following symptoms after a head, face or abdomen trauma, visit State Urgent Care as soon as possible to avoid further complications: Head Intracranial hematomas may cause headaches, vomiting, nausea, slurred speech and confusion. Face Septal hematomas make the nose and area under the eyes swell and bruise. You may also experience nosebleeds or clear fluid draining from the nose. Abdomen Abdominal hematomas may not initially cause any symptoms but can lead to swelling, tenderness and pain.
When to get a bruise checked out Bruises are typically surface injuries that heal on their own without medical attention, and people can treat them safely at home. See your doctor or visit State Urgent Care right away if you notice any of the following symptoms: Abnormal bleeding in the gums, frequent nose bleeds or blood in the urine or stool Frequent very large, very painful bruises Numbness or weakness anywhere in the injured limb Swelling around the bruised skin Loss of function in the affected area joint, limb or muscle Increased size or density Lump under the bruise Pain that lasts longer than days Persistent bruising for more than 2 weeks Potential broken bone Trauma in the head or neck Vision impairment Unexplained or random bruising, especially in the abdomen, head, or trunk, as this may signal a problem with an internal organ Conditions that increase your risk of bruising People taking prescription blood thinners should also talk to their doctor if they suffer a fall or significant injury, as they have a higher risk of bruising and complications from bruising.
Here are additional conditions that increase your risk of significant bruising and complications: Aged 50 years or older Bleeding disorders e. How to help a bruise heal faster at home Mild to moderate bruises typically heal after 2 weeks, though some may heal more quickly.
If you have mild to moderate bruising and would like to speed the healing process or lessen any pain associated with it, here are a few things you can try at home: Cold compress One of the first steps to helping a bruise heal more quickly is icing the affected area.
Wrap the ice pack with a clean, dry cloth and press it on the bruise. The compress should never be applied directly to the skin as it could lead to further injury. Ice slows the bleeding because it shrinks the blood vessels and reduces inflammation, which can help reduce the overall size of the bruise as well. Topical creams Over-the-counter topical healing creams like arnica, quercetin, vitamin B3, or vitamin K offer anti-inflammatory benefits to help speed up healing times.
Talk to your doctor to find out which cream is right for you.
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