What happens if you bruise really easily

Bruising easily does not necessarily mean that a person has a medical condition, but a sudden change in the number of bruises that a person develops may warrant a conversation with a doctor. People tend to bruise more easily as they age because blood vessels become weaker and the skin thins.

Easy bruising may also run in families, so people whose relatives bruise easily may notice that they do as well. It can be difficult for a person to assess whether they have more bruises than usual or bruise more easily than most other people.

Some signs that a person bruises more easily than is typical include:. Numerous medical conditions and lifestyle issues can cause a person to bruise more easily. The most common include:. Medications that thin the blood may cause a person to bleed and bruise more. Some popular blood thinners include:. Some other medications may weaken or change the behavior of blood vessels, worsen inflammation , or otherwise increase the risk of bleeding.

They may include the following:. People taking medication who notice an increase in bleeding or bruising should ask their doctor if their medication can cause bleeding. If this is the case, they can discuss with the doctor the risks and benefits of continuing treatment. Alcohol abuse is a key risk factor for liver diseases, such as cirrhosis.

Cirrhosis and other liver diseases slowly undermine liver function. As liver disease progresses , the liver may stop producing the proteins that help the blood clot. As a result, a person may experience excessive bleeding and easy bruising. They may also become very itchy, feel very tired or sick, and have swollen legs, dark urine, and yellowing eyes or skin. Liver disease is treatable, especially when a doctor diagnoses it early.

People who drink should immediately stop when they develop symptoms of liver health problems. A doctor can provide advice on the right combination of medical treatments and lifestyle remedies. A person with this condition has defective or absent von Willebrand protein, which is important for blood clotting. Both of these proteins are important for blood clotting. Synthetic versions of these clotting factors can help treat hemophilia and reduce the risk of serious bleeding, including severe bruises.

When a genetic bleeding disorder causes easy bruising, it is also possible that the person may bleed to excess or even experience life-threatening hemorrhages. The symptoms do not appear suddenly. Instead, they are present from birth, so genetic bleeding disorders are most commonly present in babies and young children. Certain vitamins enable the body to heal and the blood to clot.

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Why Am I Bruising Easily? Medically reviewed by Shilpa Amin, M. Medications that cause easy bruising Medical conditions that cause easy bruising Diagnosis In children Treatment Prevention See your doctor Easy bruising. Medications that cause easy bruising.

Medical conditions that cause easy bruising. Diagnosing easy bruising. Easy bruising in children. Treating bruises. These include over-the-counter medicines such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen , aspirin, and blood thinners. Antibiotics can also cause clotting issues. Corticosteroids, used for allergies, eczema, and asthma, can cause you to bruise more easily. Some anti-depressants also have blood-thinning properties. Some daily supplements also increase bruising because they thin the blood.

These supplements include ginkgo, ginseng, garlic, and fish oil. Drinking too much alcohol is a risk factor for liver diseases like cirrhosis. As liver disease progresses, the liver stops producing the proteins needed for helping blood clot.

Because of this, a person may have excessive bleeding and bruise easily. Liver disease is treatable. People that drink more the recommended amount of one drink a day for women and two drinks a day for men should stop immediately when developing liver issues.

Your age may be what causes you to bruise easily.