The ICD-10-CM code for ecchymosis is R58. Genetic tendency Medicines, herbs, and vitamins which affect bleeding. Management typically involves psychiatric treatment. Ecchymosis (bruising) is a common condition that affects everyone at some point. Other causes can include vitamin deficiencies, a low platelet count, and some chronic conditions. Here's why you could be bruising easily, and when to see a doc. Accessed March 14, 2022. Children: If there is bleeding, the first choice is IV IgG (intravenous immunoglobulin G). See a doctor or other healthcare provider right away if you experience any of the following: Last medically reviewed on November 9, 2018. Even though theres blood pooling underneath your skin, you wont have any external bleeding unless your skin breaks open. Accessed March 14, 2022. When this happens, blood leaks out of the vessels and initially appears as a dark mark. Bruising in leukaemia VS ordinary bruising. In: Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. Other common symptoms of a bleeding disorder include: Sepsis is an infection that causes a buildup of toxins in the blood or tissues. Other symptoms of vitamin K deficiency include: If you suspect that your bruising is a result of deficiency, see a healthcare provider. Tell your health care provider or pharmacist if a medication makes you dizzy or sleepy. (2017). Your bodys blood cells repair damaged blood vessels to help you heal. Find out what role aging plays and when to consult a health care provider. Symptoms of an Achilles tendon rupture are hard to ignore. The bruises appear in unusual places, such as the face, buttocks, ears, chest, and head. Yet another tender bruise. Medications that are known to reduce your bloods ability to clot include the following: If you notice that you have increased bruising, do not stop taking your medications. Doctors will check a womans platelet levels throughout a pregnancy term, but bruising could be a symptom of gestational thrombocytopenia, which leads to a low platelet count. When your blood takes longer to clot, more of it leaks from your blood vessels and accumulates under your skin. How to Treat a Skin Tear There are three main goals of treatment: to prevent infection, protect the surrounding skin and tissues, and keep the area moist to support When the liver is damaged, it stops producing the proteins required for blood clotting. 2 doctor answers 9 doctors weighed in. However, easy bruising can sometimes be a sign of a more serious problem. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Mayo Clinic Minute: Why vaccines are especially important for older people. In cases of severe impact or trauma, bruising is often unavoidable and is more extensive. Noble, J. M., & Patterson, M. C. (2020). About 7% of US citizens are deficient in vitamin C (reference). Common Causes of Unexplained Bruising | Buoy Bruising occurs when blood becomes trapped under the skin, usually following an impact injury that damages small blood vessels. Bruises and Blood Spots Under the Skin Easy bruising sometimes indicates a serious underlying condition, such as a blood-clotting problem or a blood disease. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. The most common cause of vitamin C deficiency is decreased intake as with: Vitamin K is essential for blood clotting. If you've been a sun worshipper all your life, you may notice your skin bruises more easily. People who have hemophilia A are missing an important clotting factor, factor VIII, resulting in excessive bleeding and bruising. But if you still find unusual bruises after switching up your diet or cutting back on OTC pain relievers, it may be time to consult a doctor. Certain medications may contribute to easy bruising by decreasing the blood's ability to clot. Next, read what you need to know about bruising easily (anemia isn't always the answer, BTW). Avoid clutter and throw rugs, especially on stairs. People with sepsis often develop a cluster of tiny blood spots, resembling pinpricks in the skin (petechiae) or purple areas (purpura). A tension headache usually feels like a tight band squeezing around your noggin. Your provider can further identify what type of ecchymosis you have based on your symptoms. Mayo Clinic Staff. Blood-thinning medications are important because they can help decrease the chances of developing a blood clot in the heart or elsewhere in the body those with heart conditions or who previously had a stroke likely need them to avoid a serious setback but they also make you more prone to bruising, explains Dr. Elliott. They can advise you on any next steps. Bruising can easily be a symptom of a bacterial infection called sepsis. Why do I bruise more easily as I age? As a result, bleeding from damage to small blood vessels near the skin's surface might take longer than usual to stop. If your bruising is tied to medication overuse, you may also experience: If you suspect that your bruising is a result of OTC or prescription medication use, see a doctor. I bruise very easily. Know the symptoms and what to do if you experience them. As you age, your skin gets thinner and loses the protective layer of fat that acts as a cushion when you bump into something. If the condition worsens, the areas get more extensive and look like bruises. Infection that causes the buildup of toxin in the blood or tissues ( sepsis ). Kidney disease can affect your platelets, also leading to clotting problems, and therefore more frequent bruising. Cines, D. B., & Levine, L. D. (2017). It causes suppression of the bone marrow. Bruising is common. Fever. It might help to elevate the affected area and apply ice. Bruises (Ecchymosis): Symptoms, Causes, Treatment & Prevention Vitamin K deficiency occurs due to a lack of fat in the diet or people with fat malabsorption. ), but when you spot bruises on your abdomen, back, or face with no known trauma to those areas, it could signal an underlying condition, says Dr. Elliott. Also, as you get older, you tend to lose some of the fatty layer in your skin that helps protect your blood vessels from injury. It may also be an indication of a vitamin deficiency, or a deficiency in the compounds needed for blood clotting. Blood in your urine or stool. Applying ice soon after an injury can minimize bruising. More indirectly, meds such as antibiotics can lead to low platelet counts, which then means you don't have enough of the cells necessary to help with blood clotting and stopping a bleed. Dr. Allison Greco answered. However, it should not appear in isolation and may appear alongside fatigue, appetite loss, abdominal pain, and nausea. (2015). If youre undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatments, you may have low blood platelet counts (thrombocytopenia). Sometimes bruising occurs due to vitamin deficiencies. Cushing syndrome. ", University of Maryland Medical Center: "Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid).". The Causes of Bruising Easily: Anemia, Vitamin Deficiency, "When a blood vessel gets damaged, the body starts a response to try to rapidly repair it like plugging a leaky pipe. If you often find yourself wondering why you're bruising easily, you suspect you might have any of the above conditions, or you check off any of the risk factors, talk to your doctor, says Dr. Vyas. Platelets are cells that help the blood to clot and stop bleeding. However, there are steps you can take to help the bruise recover. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Resting and elevating the injured area to prevent swelling and to relieve pain. An increase in bruising can be a side effect of some medications, especially blood thinners, NSAIDS, and steroids. Causes People who have this condition have joints that move far beyond the typical range of motion and stretchy skin. Your liver is super important for producing the molecules that lead to blood clotting, which means it's also crucial for preventing bruises, explains Dr. Elliott. Certain medications such as aspirin, anticoagulants, antibiotics, corticosteroids, and diuretics can make you more prone to skin problems like dryness and bruising. Most bruises are harmless and go away without treatment. No matter how careful you are, you'll probably still get them from time to time. However, It is not a serious disease, and the incidence of complications is rare. Blood diseases like aplastic anemia, white blood cell cancer, hemophilia, Von Wideband disease may cause easy bruising and prolonged bleeding. Benabio J. Most bruises eventually disappear as the body reabsorbs the blood, although healing might take longer as you age. Several causes: This is a problem that necessitates a face-to-face meeting with your doctor. Is this cause for concern? This causes blood to seep out of your blood vessel and pool underneath your skin, as there isnt an opening (wound) for your blood to get out of your body. Flu-like symptoms ( fatigue, fever, sore throat, Easy bruising: Why does it happen? - Mayo Clinic If you're on a blood thinner such as Plavix or Coumadin, you might notice you're bruising more easily than before starting the medication. They can make a diagnosis, if needed, and advise you on next steps. Generally, harder blows cause larger bruises. "The more physically active you are, the more likely you are to bruise or bleed," says Dr. Elliott. An infection that causes the buildup of toxin in the blood or tissues ( sepsis ). 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC, an Internet Brands company. After several days, your body will typically reabsorb the blood that initially caused the discoloration. Muscle contusion (bruise). If you take aspirin or a blood thinner, don't be surprised by the occasional black-and-blue mark. (n.d.). The pooling of blood causes a visible sign of a bruise on your skin (skin discoloration). (2016). Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is a group of inherited conditions that affect the connective tissues. Talk with your healthcare professional about any medications that may be causing you to bleed and bruise more easily. See additional information. Achenbach syndrome is a rare and benign condition wherein sudden bruising appears on one or more of the fingers. (2016). (n.d.). Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. Learn about how to get. Selective Serotonin Reuptake inhibitors such as fluoxetine (Prozac), Citalopram (Cipramil), and others. 1. DOI: 10.1136/bcr.08.2008.0750. (2018). Instead, talk with your doctor about this issue. What causes them, and what you can do about them. Accessed March 14, 2022. Heart-healthy diet: 8 steps to prevent heart disease. Random bruising: Is it serious? Causes, treatment, and 5 Causes. To prevent minor bruising, take steps to avoiding falls and injuries: Unfortunately, once a bruise has formed, not much can be done to treat it. Without treatment, these may increase in size, join together, and form larger bruises. Unexplained bruising is one of them. Gardner-Diamond syndrome is a condition wherein painful and unexpected bruising occurs, mainly on the arms, legs, or face. Use handrails when youre walking up or down stairs. Bruising easily can be as simple as a side effect of taking a blood thinner, or it could signal a vitamin deficiency or another underlying issue. They may prescribe iron tablets or other medication as well as help you modify your diet to meet your nutritional needs. When to see a doctor or other healthcare provider, thedermblog.com/2008/03/17/why-do-women-bruise-more-easily-than-men/, mdanderson.org/patients-family/diagnosis-treatment/emotional-physical-effects/bleeding-bruising-cancer.html, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15235-bruises, ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/ehlers-danlos-syndrome, ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/factor-v-deficiency, hemophilia.org/Bleeding-Disorders/Types-of-Bleeding-Disorders/Hemophilia-A, hemophilia.org/Bleeding-Disorders/Types-of-Bleeding-Disorders/Hemophilia-B, nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/immune-thrombocytopenia, merckmanuals.com/professional/nutritional-disorders/vitamin-deficiency,-dependency,-and-toxicity/vitamin-k, mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cushing-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20351310, mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ehlers-danlos-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20362125, mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/healthy-aging/in-depth/easy-bruising/art-20045762, mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hemophilia/symptoms-causes/syc-20373327, mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/ibuprofen-oral-route/description/drg-20070602, mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/iron-deficiency-anemia/symptoms-causes/syc-20355034, mayoclinic.org/documents/mc5129-0709-sp-rpt-pdf/doc-20079085, mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/von-willebrand-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20354978, macmillan.org.uk/information-and-support/lymphoma/lymphoma-non-hodgkin/understanding-cancer/signs-and-symptoms.html, uwhealth.org/health/topic/symptom/bruises-and-blood-spots-under-the-skin/bruse.html, ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminC-Consumer/, health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/why-do-i-bruise-more-easily-as-i-age. "Any problems with the liver can mess with proteins necessary for clotting," says Dr. Vyas. Vitamin C deficiency. (2009). Bruises naturally change color over time from red, through purple, to yellow or, Bruises happen when an injury causes damage to blood vessels below the skin. Wear protective gear when youre exercising. Medications can also hinder the blood clotting process and inhibit platelet function. Try to avoid looking at your phone or being distracted when youre walking. Bruises Some antibiotics and antidepressants also might be associated with clotting problems. Also, tell your provider about any supplements you're taking especially if you're taking them while on a blood-thinning drug. Bruising (ecchymosis) happens when small blood vessels (capillaries) break under your skin. You might also get bruises more often if you have issues with your platelets or those cells involved in the blood vessel healing process. Signs and symptoms of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Policy. Elsevier; 2020. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Other possible causes of bruising include: Its also important to be aware that unexplained bruising may be a sign of domestic violence or assault. If you seem to be bruising easily, it could also be due to medications, a medical condition, or even a vitamin deficiency. (2012). Some deficiencies include vitamin C deficiency and vitamin K deficiency. If you also feel tired, achy, and weak all the time, or lose weight without trying to, give your doctor a call. Someone with von Willebrand disease might notice large or lumpy bruises from minor, even unnoticeable, injuries. Diabetes is a metabolic condition that affects your bodys ability to And other tests such as platelet coombs test, anti-platelet antibodies, etc. Turning on a light or flashlight when walking through poorly lit areas. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on Symptoms of a bruise include: Pain or tenderness (sore feeling) when you 1. Can Ibuprofen Really Reduce Your Period Flow? Here are some key factors in random bruising: Unexplained bruising is very common and heals relatively quickly.