One of the more important reasons to obtain a proper diagnosis of "unexplained bruising" is that the problem may be systemic. That is to say, blood vessels in other parts of the body may be likely to burst and bleed. In a combination with high blood pressure and a blow to the skull, we are looking for trouble. Starts with "T" and ends with "E".
Certainly avoid sports where there is the chance of a head injury.
Virtually everyone in their seventies and eighties develops this problem. This condition is called purpura senilis - these bruises may take months to heal.
Zinc cream, fortified with vitamin C and K are commonly prescribed. Vitamin K strengthens blood vessel walls and is sold under the name "Vitamin K clarifying Cream". The other alternative is to take a multi-vitamin each day and eat foods that are rich in K such as green leafy vegetables, fruit,, seeds and dairy products.
Vitamin C is also helpful in combating bruises - 1000 mg per day in crystaline form, dissolved in beverages or food over the course of a day. There is also a transdermal vitamin C lotion (10%) available, for which I cannot vouch for the efficacy.
Zinc deficiency is another possibility., obtained from shellfish, seafood or whole grains and lean meats. One steamed oyster contains 12.5 miligrams of zinc.
The important thing is to see a physician and state your "chief complaint" is bruising, to ensure you at least obtain a ptt clotting test,.which may not be normally done during the course of an annual physical.
Vitamin K causes the blood to clot. K is manufactured in the gut, and those with certain diseases of the gut often have low levels. It is dangerous to take orally, but the transdermal drug only puts a tiny amount into the blood vessels that are breaking. Vitamin D should be D3, and the amount suggested by the FDA is too low. 5,000 IU a day would not be unreasonable. D3 is manufactured in the skin after exposure to sunlight.
Thanks for the info, I just had a physical, blood work okay except for I need more vitiman D. What does Vitiman K do? thanks
As Dr. Kaur stated there are many underlying possibilities.
My answer was a bit curt, but my advice is to go to a physician associated with a teaching hospital, explain the problem, and get a full work-up. My advice differs from Dr. Kaur in that he suggests self-treating before going to a physician.
My advice is exactly the opposite.
The reason is that such problems often have more than one causative factor, and if you self-treat, you may mask one of the underlying causes. Right now, your labs are "virgin". The B-12 levels can be measured for example, and it can be determined if you are deficient. Once you start self-treating you may never know if this could be a cause.
The problem could be as simple as anemia or as complex as leukemia. If, in the remote possibility you have leukemia, remission results depend upon the initiatian of treatment - and a three month delay while you "see how the vitamins work" is not such a rocket ship idea.
Hello,
Anemia and deficiency of vitamins C, K, B12, or folic acid are the common causes of easy bruisability. Try taking iron tablets and multivitamins for some days and see if the symptoms improve. If the symptoms do not improve, get yourself evaluated by a physician and look out for SLE, bone marrow disorders, liver diseases or leukemias. Anti-clotting (anti-coagulants) medication also can cause increased bruising.
It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.
I had the same thing and I found out I was anemic.
You are leaking blood into the tissues, due to either improper clotting time, fragile blood vessels, or a combination of both.
You need to get it looked at and have a blood clotting test.
Treatment usually is a prescription topical with transdermal vitamin K.