Bruising that seems to happen more than usual can have several potential causes. It’s important to consider recent patterns (how long it’s been happening, where the bruises appear, any accompanying symptoms, medications, and overall health) to determine whether it’s something you can manage at home or if a clinician should evaluate you. Possible causes to consider
- Age and skin changes: With aging, skin and blood vessels become thinner and more prone to bruising from minor bumps. This is common and usually not alarming, but it can look more noticeable than before.
- Medications and supplements: Blood thinners (anticoagulants like warfarin, direct oral anticoagulants), antiplatelet drugs (aspirin, clopidogrel), and certain supplements (fish oil, ginkgo) can increase bruising risk. Also, steroids can weaken skin and vessels over time.
- Nutritional deficiencies: Low vitamin C or vitamin K levels can impair collagen formation and clotting, leading to easy bruising. Severe vitamin C deficiency historically caused scurvy, but milder deficiencies can still contribute.
- Medical conditions affecting bleeding or vessels:
- Platelet disorders or clotting factor deficiencies (e.g., certain anemias, von Willebrand disease).
- Liver disease or other conditions that affect production of clotting factors.
- Vasculitis or inflammatory conditions can cause purplish spots or bruising.
- Hormonal or autoimmune conditions in which blood vessels become fragile.
- Skin conditions and repeated minor trauma: Frequent bumps or scratching, especially in areas with delicate skin, can produce more obvious bruises.
What to monitor and when to seek care
- If you notice bruises appearing without any known injury, larger-than-usual bruises, or bruises that don’t fade after two weeks, this warrants medical evaluation.
- If bruising is accompanied by symptoms such as excessive or easy bleeding from gums or nose, heavy menstrual periods, blood in urine or stool, fatigue, fever, or yellowing of the skin/eyes, seek prompt medical care.
- New or changing medications, alcohol use, or dietary changes can influence bruising risk; review these with a clinician if bruising worsens.
- If you have a known bleeding or clotting disorder, or liver disease, arrange timely follow-up to reassess risk factors and medications.
Self-care steps (if bruising is mild and recent)
- Apply a cold pack to new bruises for the first 24–48 hours to reduce swelling.
- After 48 hours, gentle warmth may help with reabsorption.
- Elevate the affected limb when possible to reduce blood pooling.
- Protect bruised areas from further injury while healing.
- Ensure adequate intake of nutrients important for skin and clotting: maintain a balanced diet with vitamin C and vitamin K sources (e.g., citrus fruits, leafy greens), and discuss any potential deficiencies with a healthcare provider.
- Review medications and supplements with a clinician before stopping any regularly used drug, especially if you’re on anticoagulants or antiplatelets.
Bottom line
- Easy or excessive bruising has many possible causes, most of which are not dangerous, but some require medical assessment—especially if bruising is new, frequent, large, slow to heal, or associated with other concerning symptoms or medications. If in doubt, scheduling a quick clinician visit can help determine whether tests (like a CBC, platelet function, or liver function) are needed and whether any medications should be adjusted.
