What Causes Bruising?

It is common for bruises to appear on different areas of the body. While they usually heal relatively quickly, they may sometimes cause concern. What are the causes of bruising on the body? Read on to find out.

Causes of Bruising on the Body

Although most bruises are harmless and heal on their own within weeks or months, they can often be a symptom of underlying health conditions. Here are the most common causes of bruising:

• Injuries or Accidents

Bruises often appear after falls, injuries, or accidents. These events cause blood vessels to rupture, leading to blood leakage into the surrounding tissues, which manifests as a bruise.

• Intense Exercise

Bruises may develop after intense exercise due to muscle strain or injury. When muscle tissue sustains deep damage beneath the skin, it can result in blood vessel rupture and blood leakage into the surrounding area, causing bruising.

• Certain Medications or Supplements

Some medications can increase the likelihood of random bruising, including:

1. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or naproxen.
2. Anticoagulants and blood thinners, such as aspirin or warfarin, which prevent blood from clotting quickly and can lead to excessive blood accumulation under the skin from minor injuries.
3. Corticosteroids, as they reduce the body’s clotting ability, leading to blood leakage and bruising.

• Vitamin and Mineral Deficiencies

Certain vitamins and minerals play essential roles in blood formation and clotting. A deficiency in these nutrients can result in bruising, such as:

1. Vitamin C, which supports the immune system and wound healing. A deficiency makes the skin prone to bruising.
2. Iron, necessary for maintaining healthy blood cells. Without sufficient iron, the body struggles to oxygenate tissues, increasing bruising susceptibility.
3. Vitamin K, which aids in blood clotting. Low levels slow clotting and lead to bruising.

• Bleeding and Clotting Disorders

Bleeding and clotting disorders can also cause bruising. Common disorders include:

1. Hemophilia, a rare genetic condition where individuals lack clotting factors VIII or IX, leading to easy bruising.
2. Factor V deficiency, a rare bleeding disorder that disrupts normal blood clotting.
3. Von Willebrand disease, a genetic bleeding disorder affecting clotting and causing large or lumpy bruises from minor injuries.

• Diabetes

Diabetes, a metabolic condition affecting insulin use or production, does not directly cause bruising. However, it can slow healing and extend bruise recovery time.

• Low Platelet Count

People with low platelet counts often bruise easily because platelets are vital for clotting and repairing blood vessel damage. Conditions causing low platelets include:

1. Certain cancers, like leukemia or spleen cancer.
2. Chemotherapy and biological treatments.
3. Splenomegaly (enlarged spleen).

Pregnancy-related low platelet count (gestational thrombocytopenia) is a notable cause of bruising in pregnant women.

• Other Causes of Bruising

Additional health issues can lead to bruising, such as:

1. Cushing’s syndrome, caused by high cortisol levels, resulting in thin skin and increased bruising.
2. Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a genetic condition impacting connective tissue structure, including skin, joints, and blood vessel walls.
3. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a type of cancer starting in the lymph nodes that reduces blood and platelet counts, increasing bruising.
4. Kidney and liver diseases, as damaged livers stop producing necessary clotting proteins, and kidney issues reduce skin elasticity.
5. Cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy or targeted therapy, which lower platelet counts and increase bruising.

Factors that affect bruising

While bruising is common and affects everyone at some point, certain factors increase the likelihood:

• Age: Older adults, especially those over 65, are more prone to bruising due to thinner, less elastic skin, particularly on the back of the arms.
• Gender: Women are more likely to bruise than men.
• Genetics: Family history can influence bruising susceptibility.

Diagnosing the Cause of Bruising

Doctors begin by reviewing a patient’s medical history and performing a physical examination to assess the size, color, and location of bruises. Further diagnostic tests may include:

1. Complete blood count (CBC) to check platelet levels.
2. Blood tests to evaluate clotting factors, such as prothrombin time (PT) and partial thromboplastin time (PTT).
3. Tests for vitamin levels.
4. CT scans of the head or abdomen or X-rays of the arms and legs.
5. Bone marrow biopsy.

Blazma offers many of the tests your doctor might request to determine the causes of bruising, including CBC, Prothrombin Time (PT), Partial Thromboplastin Time (PTT), D-Dimer Quantitative Test, Vitamin C and Iron level assessments.