Dr Claire Merrifield has shed light on the age-old odd bodily phenomenon.
Have you ever been minding your own business and then noticed a dark purple area on your thigh?
Or is it a more reddish tint on your wrist? Or perhaps a sweeping green mark over your shin?
Well, it appears that many of us, including myself, are discovering these mysterious bruises all over our bodies with no idea how they got there.
So, to shed some light on the strange biological occurrence, a doctor has revealed why you’re bruising like a peach and how to treat it.
What causes a bruise?
Dr Claire Merrifield, a GP and medical director at Selph, explained that bruises are created by capillaries breaking under the skin and leaking blood.
“They usually occur after an injury such as a fall or knocking a limb against something which causes enough force to break the capillaries,” she continued.
Following this, the body works fast to ‘seal the holes’ in these damaged capillaries, preventing any blood from spilling out.
Medication
“Some medications, such as blood thinners, aspirin and some antibiotics and antidepressants can increase bruising,” the doctor warned.
She also stated that ‘any prescription that makes you really sleepy’ can make you more prone to bumping into things, increasing bruising.
“If you think your medication might be causing you to bruise, speak with your doctor before making any changes,” Dr Merrifield advised.
Alcohol
The doctor informed us that ‘extreme alcohol use’ can have a significant impact on your liver function.
This can result in ‘frequent bruising’ because the liver is involved in both preventing and healing bruises.
Nutrition
Dr Merrifield said: “Nutritional deficiencies, such as low levels of vitamin C or vitamin K, can also contribute to someone bruising more easily.”
Vitamin C is necessary for preserving the strength of the skin and blood vessels, but Vitamin K is ‘critical’ for the production of clotting proteins, which assist us stop bleeding if we cut ourselves.
The GP highlighted: “There aren’t any good tests for these vitamins so it’s important to ensure you’re getting enough fruits and vegetables in your diet and consider supplements if you aren’t.”
Periods
And it’s not only medicine, alcohol, and nutrition that could be causing your bruising; periods can also have a substantial impact.
“Sometimes women who are prone to heavy periods also experience bruising with quite minor injuries, this is usually nothing to worry about but it’s something to discuss with your doctor,” Dr Merrifield added.
Age
Finally, age is an important consideration.
The expert explained that it is a simple fact of life that “as we get older, we bruise more easily,” making age a very prevalent component when it comes to bruises. Additionally, she stated: “As we age, the skin becomes thinner which makes blood vessels more fragile, and therefore more prone to bruising.”
Above all, Dr. Merrifield emphasizes that anyone experiencing new, unexplained, or unusual bruising should consult their doctor as soon as possible.
“If you’re concerned about frequent, easy or unexplained bruising, especially if it’s a new development, it’s important to speak to your GP as soon as possible,” Dr Merrifield advised.
“They’ll be able to assess your overall health and will likely do some blood tests to determine if any underlying conditions are contributing to the bruising.”
