Certain health conditions and medicines weaken the immune system's ability to fight off infection and illness. Some examples in adults are:. Sometimes people don't want to call They may think that their symptoms aren't serious or that they can just get someone else to drive them.
Or they might be concerned about the cost. But based on your answers, the safest and quickest way for you to get the care you need is to call for medical transport to the hospital. Based on your answers, you may need care soon. The problem probably will not get better without medical care. Based on your answers, you may need care right away. The problem is likely to get worse without medical care. If your bruise does not require an evaluation by a doctor, you may be able to use home treatment to help relieve pain, swelling, and stiffness.
Call your doctor if any of the following occur during home treatment:. You can't always prevent bruises , but most of the time bruises are not a cause for concern. Bruises are often the first sign of abuse. You may be able to prevent further abuse by reporting it and seeking help. To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment. You can help your doctor diagnose and treat your condition by being prepared to answer the following questions:.
Blahd Jr. Author: Healthwise Staff. Medical Review: William H. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content. To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.
Updated visitor guidelines. Bruises and Blood Spots Under the Skin. Topic Overview Bruises Bruises develop when small blood vessels under the skin tear or rupture, most often from a bump or fall. Older adults often bruise easily from minor injuries, especially injuries to the forearms, hands, legs, and feet. As a person ages, the skin becomes less flexible and thinner because there is less fat under the skin.
The cushioning effect of the skin decreases as the fat under the skin decreases. These changes, along with skin damage from exposure to the sun, cause blood vessels to break easily. When blood vessels break, bruising occurs. Women bruise more easily than men, especially from minor injuries on the thighs, buttocks, and upper arms. A tendency to bruise easily sometimes runs in families.
Blood spots Blood spots under the skin may be either purpura or petechiae. Sudden unexplained bruising or blood spots under the skin or a sudden increase in the frequency of bruising may be caused by: A medicine , such as aspirin or blood thinners anticoagulants.
Infection that causes the buildup of toxin in the blood or tissues sepsis. A bleeding or clotting disorder , such as hemophilia , von Willebrand's disease , thrombocytopenia , or another less common bleeding or clotting disorder.
Other diseases that affect clotting. Examples include: Chronic inflammatory diseases, such as lupus. Liver disease, such as cirrhosis. Some types of cancer, such as Hodgkin's disease , leukemia , or multiple myeloma. Inflammation of a blood vessel vasculitis. Malnutrition, such as deficiencies of vitamins B12 , C, or K, or folic acid.
Check Your Symptoms Do you have bruises or blood spots under the skin? If a bruise is rapidly spreading, you need try to stop the bleeding under the skin. Wrap the area not too tightly with an elastic bandage, such as an Ace wrap, and keep it on until you see a doctor. You can also put direct pressure on the area for 15 minutes at a time. How old are you? Less than 3 years. Are you male or female? Why do we ask this question? The medical assessment of symptoms is based on the body parts you have.
If you are transgender or nonbinary, choose the sex that matches the body parts such as ovaries, testes, prostate, breasts, penis, or vagina you now have in the area where you are having symptoms. If you have some organs of both sexes, you may need to go through this triage tool twice once as "male" and once as "female".
This will make sure that the tool asks the right questions for you. Do you have symptoms of shock? The symptoms in an adult or older child are different than the symptoms in a young child. Has there been a decrease in how alert or aware you are or how well you can think and respond? Do you have symptoms of a serious illness? The symptoms in an adult or older child are different than the symptoms in a baby or toddler.
Are there any symptoms of infection? Are there red streaks leading away from the area or pus draining from it? Do you have diabetes, a weakened immune system , peripheral arterial disease, or any surgical hardware in the area? Diabetes, immune problems, peripheral arterial disease, or surgical hardware in affected area. Do you think you may have a fever? Do you have any abnormal bleeding?
Do you feel lightheaded or dizzy, like you are going to faint? It's normal for some people to feel a little lightheaded when they first stand up. But anything more than that may be serious. Are you bleeding now? Do you think that the bruising may have been caused by abuse? Has the number or size of bruises or blood spots increased for no clear reason? Was the increase in bruises or blood spots fast?
Do you take a medicine that affects the blood's ability to clot? This may include blood thinners and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs such as aspirin and ibuprofen. These medicines can cause bleeding and can make it harder to control bleeding. Were the bruises caused by an injury? Did a large, painful, very swollen bruise develop within 30 minutes after the injury? Have you had bruises or blood spots for more than 2 weeks? Many people use arnica, quercetin, vitamin B-3, or vitamin K creams to help speed up bruise healing times.
People can also use over-the-counter pain medicine, such as acetaminophen Tylenol and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs to reduce pain and inflammation around the bruise. Avoid aspirin , as it can increase bleeding.
Avoiding NSAIDs may also be necessary when bruising occurs after surgery or with extensive bruises, as these drugs risk worsening the bleeding. The use of a soft elastic wrap, during waking hours, for the first 1—2 days can help decrease bruising and discomfort after an injury.
The wrap should be firm but not tight. Numbness, tingling or increased discomfort means the wrap should be loosened or removed.
Elevating the bruised area has a similar effect to icing the bruise. It helps prevent the bruise from getting bigger. The individual should raise the affected area to a comfortable position. A person should seek medical attention any time they have the following symptoms or issues associated with bruising:. Those taking prescription blood thinners, such as warfarin Coumadin , should notify their doctor if they experience any falls or signficant injuries.
A doctor can help determine if there is a more severe condition or cause of the bruising that the person does not know about themselves. Bruising takes on many colors as the body works to heal an injury. It is normal for a bruise to change color over time. A person can expect about four phases of colors to a bruise before it fades away. If a bruise does not fade, becomes worse, or other issues accompany it, a person should consult a doctor.
Otherwise, most bruises should heal within about 2 weeks with no medical treatment. Some of the at-home methods to speed up healing that we list in this article are available online:. Different skin types require different skin care products. Read on to learn more about the best skin care products for each skin type.
A look at crepey skin, a common complaint where the skin looks thin and wrinkled. Learn more about how to prevent and treat this condition. Sebaceous hyperplasia causes small, inflamed bumps to appear on the skin. But there are different kinds of bruises and blood spots under the skin. When you get a bump from falling or walking into a coffee table, blood vessels under your skin rupture.
That causes blood to leak into the tissue under your skin, creating a bruise or, medically speaking, a contusion. Older adults and women tend to bruise easier than men or younger people. Other types of bruises and blood spots under the skin are:. If they appear suddenly without an injury, these can be signs of an infection or another problem that needs immediate medical attention. But if you experience unexplained bruising more often than usual, talk to your doctor. Most bruises can be managed with the R.
In addition to resting and applying ice to the affected area, you can use an elastic bandage to reduce swelling. And propping up the bruised area above the level of your heart can optimize blood flow.
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