Reasons for Bruising Without Injury
Sudden bruising on the legs or other parts of the body can occur from a minor bump or damage, leading to changes in skin color. Some people bruise easily from seemingly insignificant impacts, showing black or blue spots on their body.
Sometimes, bruising without injury can indicate a serious problem. In this section of health.SelMagzWe will introduce the causes of sudden bruising in the legs and other body parts as well as effective ways to relieve them quickly.
What is Bruising?
Spontaneous bruising without any reason is very rare. People who are prone to bruising may not remember the cause of minor injuries. Changes in skin color occur due to the sudden rupture of blood vessels, resulting in a bruise.
This causes bleeding from blood vessels and capillaries near the skin’s surface to pool, initially appearing as a black or blue spot, which turns green or yellow as it heals.
At first, these bruises may seem painful but could become itchy as they heal. Complete healing of these bruises can take one to two weeks.
What Causes Sudden Bruising Without Clear Reason?
Understanding the reasons for these bruises can help prevent them in the future and determine whether a doctor’s visit is necessary. Sudden bruising occurs for the following reasons:
1. Aging:
Bruising in older individuals occurs due to skin changes and a decrease in the level ofcollagenproduced. Aging causes the thinning of the protective fat layer in the skin, meaning older adults are more prone to bruising than the young. 90% of bruises can be observed on the legs and arms but rarely on the neck, ears, buttocks, or soles of the feet.
2.Vitamin Deficiency:
One of the reasons for bruising is vitamin deficiency. For example, a lack ofVitamin Ccan cause unexplained bruising and bleeding, whileVitamin Kplays an important role inblood clotting.According to a report, Vitamin C helps strengthen blood vessels and prevents their rupture.
Taking Vitamin C supplements can reduce bruising in individuals with skin disorders, and Vitamin K supplements can prevent sudden bruising in those taking blood thinners. Deficiencies in Vitamins C and K may cause skin rashes or purpura, leading to red, brown, or purple spots on the skin.3. Side Effects of Certain Medications and Supplements:Taking certain medications and supplements can thin blood vessels. According to doctors, consuming
aspirin
, some anticoagulants, andantibioticscan cause issues with blood clotting.Additionally, supplements like ginkgo biloba, ginger, and turmeric, which have blood-thinning properties, may also lead to bruising. Therefore, these supplements should not be taken continuously and should be used cautiously if taking weight loss medications, especially ginger.4. Genetics:
Sometimes, sudden bruising occurs due to hereditary factors. Women may be more prone to this condition due to having thinner blood vessels compared to men.5. Bleeding Disorders:Bleeding disorders can cause sudden bruising on the body without a clear cause. For example, individuals with hemophilia and von Willebrand disease may experience this problem. According to the National Hemophilia Foundation, people with these conditions may also face unexplained bleeding from the nose and prolonged bleeding from cuts and scrapes. Women with hemophilia may also experience heavy menstrual bleeding.6.Sunburn:Exposure to sunlight is necessary to obtainVitamin D
but excessive sun exposure can harm the skin. The effects of sunburn bruising take longer to heal and may even become permanent. If you experience abnormal bleeding along with sunburn, you should see a doctor for examination.
Some symptoms of sunburn, such as redness, peeling, and itching can be treated using natural remedies like
aloe vera
, honey, extract from the
witch hazel tree, andoatmeal.
7. Exercise:Participating in heavy workouts such as weightlifting and intensive training can lead to sudden bruising on the skin. Additionally, runners often suffer from toenail injuries, which are common causes of bruising because their toes might hit the front of their shoes.If you find yourself in such situations, apply the RICE treatment method which is as follows:
Rest (R):The injured limb should remain immobilized.Ice (I):Place a bag of ice on the injured area. Just be careful not to apply ice directly to the skin.Compression (C):To reduce swelling and pain, bandage the injured area.Elevation (E):
To prevent blood flow reduction to the injured area, keep the injured limb elevated above heart level.
8.Diabetes:Sudden bruising on the legs can be a symptom of advanced diabetes. This condition affects blood vessels and can lead to peripheral artery disease. Besides sudden bruising, individuals with diabetes may also experience increased thirst and urination,
weight loss
,nausea
, and abdominal pain.Peripheral artery disease typically affects the legs. According to the Journal of Physiotherapy, diabetic bruising is among the injuries that do not heal.
9. Viral Infections:Viral infections can lead to a condition known as thrombocytopenia which affects blood clotting. Some common viral infections include:
Chickenpox,
mumps, andrubella.
Other medical problems such asAIDS, aplastic anemia, and leukemia also affect platelet counts, resulting in blood clotting disorders.10. Autoimmune Diseases:Autoimmune disorders occur when the body produces antibodies against its own tissues instead of fighting infections, and some of these conditions include:
Lupus:
Bruising easily and excessive bleeding can be due to this condition.
Rheumatoid Arthritis::Corticosteroids prescribed for this disease can lead to thinning skin and, consequently, sudden bruising.Vasculitis:inflammation of blood vessels is known as vasculitis and can cause skin changes.11. Other Causes of Bruising:Some serious medical problems can cause sudden bruising. These diseases initially present other symptoms, and bruising occurs in later stages. These diseases include:
Liver Diseases:These occur when the liver fails to produce clotting factors, leading to sudden bruising, swollen legs, and bleeding from the intestines.Kidney Diseases:
Sudden bruising can sometimes be a symptom of secondary stages of chronic kidney disease. Individuals suffering from this condition may experience symptoms such as
drowsiness, numbness in hands and feet,bad breath,
blood in stools,and morning vomiting.
12. Cancer:Certain cancer treatments affect blood platelet counts. According to the National Cancer Institute,chemotherapy
can cause sudden bruising and create tiny purple or red spots on the skin.Sudden unexplained bruising on the chest may not go away and could be a sign of inflammatory breast cancer. Other symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer include painful, swollen breasts, changes in breast shape, and discharge from the nipples.
A different type of cancer that causes sudden bruising is
leukemia.
A person with this cancer can experience multiple symptoms, including weight loss, persistent fatigue, frequent infections, or unexplained bleeding. Though rare, sudden bruising can indicate a serious condition.Using tea bags and aloe vera can provide natural treatment for some bruising effects.
When to See a Doctor?Generally, bruises fade after two weeks, but you should see a doctor if you notice any of the following symptoms along with the bruises:If bruises remain untreated after two weeks.You notice bruising on the legs or other parts of the body without any clear reason.Bruising starts suddenly without any explanation.If there is pain in the bruised area.Bruising occurs at an older age.Causes of Sudden Bruising on the Body
Body Bruising Treatment
Reasons for Bruising Without InjuryCauses of BruisingTreatment for Sudden Bruising
What is Collagen?
Skin BruisingSymptoms of Vitamin DeficiencyBenefits of Vitamin C
Benefits of Vitamin K
Blood Clotting Tips
Coffee Side Effects
- Taking Aspirin
- Antibiotics Side Effects
- Skin Bruising
- Weight Loss and Methods for Weight Loss and Fitness
