Finding inexplicable bruises appearing all over your body can concern anyone. While natural causes, like aging, may explain why you are experiencing easy bruising, it could also signify a condition that needs medical attention.

Bruising, or ecchymosis, happens when tiny blood capillaries break under the skin, causing bleeding within the surrounding tissue. It can cause discoloration in the affected area, which is why it's commonly referred to as a bruise. While most bruises can occur due to everyday bumps and do not necessarily require medical attention, one should not ignore the signs of abnormal or excessive bruising. If you find yourself bruising easily or noticing unexplained bruising, it’s essential to consult with your doctor for further investigation. It's imperative to seek medical attention if your bruise is accompanied by other symptoms, such as bleeding elsewhere in the body.

What Causes Bruising?

Bruising can signify your body's inability to clot blood after an injury. It is prevalent in older adults since their skin tends to become thinner and has fewer fatty layers that protect the blood vessels from injury. Although age plays a significant role in our body’s ability to form clots, other potential causes can be medications, medical conditions, and vitamin deficiencies that may result in easy bruising.

It's important to understand the underlying causes of bruise formation to reduce the risk of developing them or minimize the appearance. A proper understanding can help you take care of yourself to stay healthy and avoid or lessen bruising.

Medications

Advances in medicine have enabled doctors to effectively treat a wide range of illnesses that would have been untreatable just a few decades ago. However, despite such remarkable progress, medications may have few side effects. Certain drugs can directly interfere with the body's ability to form blood clots, increasing an individual's risk of bruising or other similar issues.

A few such medications known to reduce your blood’s ability to clot are:

• Blood thinners

Blood thinners, also known as anticoagulants, are prescription medications used to prevent potentially life-threatening medical events like heart attacks and strokes. Patients with atrial fibrillation, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, or a recent cardiac stent placement may be use these medications.

Warfarin (Coumadin), clopidogrel (Plavix), rivaroxaban (Xarelto), and apixaban (Eliquis) are some of the most commonly prescribed blood thinners.

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

NSAIDs are a type of medication used for relieving pain and reducing inflammation. These medications offer an effective means of reducing inflammation that is related to long-term pain caused by various illnesses or injuries. However, as with most medications, NSAIDs also have few side effects. When used over a more extended period, NSAIDs can result in increased bleeding. Despite this potential side effect, many people find relief with NSAIDs, and doctors often recommend them as a first-line treatment for various types of pain.

Aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), and celecoxib (Celebrex) are the most common types of NSAIDs.

• Steroids

Using certain types of steroid medications may cause your skin to become thinner than usual, and you may find yourself bruising more easily. Topical corticosteroids are one such medication, and they are commonly used to treat eczema, psoriasis, and other skin rashes. On the other hand, oral steroids are mainly prescribed for conditions like asthma, severe allergies, or colds that do not respond to ordinary treatments.

Although they can cause certain side effects, including bruises and thinning of the skin, these medications play a significant role in alleviating the symptoms associated with these conditions.

Bruising is a common side effect of certain medications, and if you have noticed an increase in bruising from your medication, you must speak to your doctor. Understand that discontinuing the medication without consulting the experts could lead to further health complications.

Medical conditions

If you have frequent bruises and are unsure why you bruise so easily, it could result from an underlying medical condition. When a bruise appears, it's usually because your blood is unable to clot properly due to any or all of the following reasons: an unhealthy liver, unhealthy bone marrow, or lack of good nutrition.

Some medical conditions that result in easy bruising are:

• Hemophilia A

Hemophilia A is an inherited condition that affects your ability to form blood clots, leaving you vulnerable to bruising and other serious side effects. If left untreated, potentially life-threatening complications can result from excessive blood loss.

• Hemophilia B

Hemophilia B, also referred to as "Christmas disease," is a medical condition in which the body produces little or no factor IX, a type of protein that aids in clotting the blood. Those affected by this condition often bleed for extended periods or even spontaneously, allowing easy bruising to form beneath the skin.

• Von Willebrand disease

Von Willebrand disease (VWD) is a bleeding disorder caused by a genetic mutation that affects Von Willebrand Factor (VWF), a protein that helps blood clotting. VWD is an inherited condition that can cause simple epistaxis (nosebleeds) and more severe issues such as excessive bleeding during injuries, surgery, etc.

• A low platelet count

Platelets are an essential type of blood cell needed to keep us safe from excessive bleeding. Platelets gather together to form clots at the site of injury to prevent further blood loss and help promote healing. Exposure to chemotherapy, radiation, or toxic chemicals can reduce the number of platelets in our bodies and cause severe bleeding if not treated properly.

Certain diseases, such as leukemia, liver cirrhosis, aplastic anemia, or myelodysplasia, may also contribute to low platelet levels.

• Vitamin deficiencies

Easy bruising can sometimes be a symptom of malnutrition, as reduced intake of key vitamins, such as vitamin K and vitamin C, can lead to deficiencies in the body. Your healthcare provider may recommend taking supplements or making dietary changes to ensure your body has enough essential nutrients.

How to Prevent Bruising?

While medication and underlying medical conditions can cause you to bruise easily, you can still prevent it by taking extra care. The parts of our body that get most easily bruised are our arms, which are often exposed and needed to perform almost every activity. Arm Chaps are one of the best and most effective ways to protect them.

Arm Chaps offer protection from nearly any kind of injury, ranging from large cuts and puncture wounds to minor burns and abrasion. They allow complete mobility and flexibility in the hands, allowing your fingers to move and perform activities as desired.

Arm Chaps are an excellent way to protect your arms from the elements. They are made from high-quality cowhide leather that is soft against the skin and allows it to breathe, making you feel comfortable even after wearing them for a longer period. For additional convenience, Arm Chaps come with zippers, so you can easily and quickly put on or take them off and control how warm or cool you stay. Whether during outdoor activities or a night out in the town, Arm Chaps provide the much-desired protection without stifling your comfort.

Arm Chaps are a must-have safety accessory for anyone suffering from conditions that make them bruise easily.