Why Do I Bruise So Easily?
Lindsay Knake
| 3 min read
Lindsay Knake is a brand journalist for Blue Cross B...
Key Takeaways
- As you get older, skin thins and loses fatty tissue, making blood vessels more fragile and leading to easier bruising.
- Blood‑thinning drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, warfarin and certain antidepressants can impair clotting, so talk to your primary care provider if you notice new or frequent bruises.
- Low levels of certain vitamins and minerals, as well as disorders that affect clotting or platelets, may cause bruising that’s out of proportion to injury; seek medical evaluation if bruises appear without clear cause.
You notice when you bump your skin into a table and get a dark, tender bruise, or if you fall onto ice and get a broad bruise on your hip.
Splotchy purple, black or blue spread across your skin, changing colors until it heals and disappears. Bruises form when there is an injury to the body and small blood vessels break and bleed. This causes a dark area on the body, which lightens as the body reabsorbs the blood. Some people bruise easily, while others do not. Most bruises are harmless, according to the Mayo Clinic.
But what if you bruise easily? Here are some causes of bruising and some tips on when bruises could be a sign of something more serious.
Age
Many people bruise more easily as they age, according to Harvard Health, typically because the skin becomes thinner and loses some of the fatty layer. This makes blood vessels in the skin more fragile. Some people will bruise without experiencing an injury. Thinner skin is a normal part of aging, and increased bruising is typical unless there is another source of bruising.
Medication
Many different types of medications can interfere with the blood clotting, leading to easier bruising, per the Mayo Clinic. These drugs include:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen sodium
- Anticoagulant medicines, also known as blood thinners, such as warfarin and heparin
- Corticosteroids such as prednisone
- Antiplatelet agents such as clopidogrel, prasugrel and ticagrelor
- Some antibiotics
- Some antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
Talk to your primary care provider (PCP) about your medications and any supplements if you notice you bruise more easily, especially if you are taking a blood thinner.
Vitamin and mineral deficiency
Less common causes of easy bruising are vitamin and mineral deficiencies. One is a vitamin C deficiency, known as scurvy, per Harvard Health. Low levels of vitamins B12 and K and zinc may also lead to more bruising. These vitamins and minerals aid with blood cell production, healthy blood vessels and blood clotting, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Eating a nutritious diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins will help support your physical health and provide nutrients you need to stay healthy.
Health conditions
While most bruising isn’t harmful, bruising easily can be a sign of a serious health condition that impair blood clotting or platelet function such as thrombocytopenia, autoimmune conditions, hemophilia and von Willebrand disease, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Here are symptoms of a more serious condition that affects your blood, per the Mayo Clinic:
- Easy bruising and bleeding
- Frequent large bruises on your chest, back or abdomen
- Regular bruising without a clear cause
- New or sudden bruising after a new medication
- Have family members who bruise or bleed easily or have an inherited blood disease
Talk to your PCP if you experience any of these symptoms. They may refer you to a hematologist, a physician who specializes in blood disorders.
Photo credit: Getty Images
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