Causes and risk factors Aging skin is thought to be the most common cause of senile purpura. Memory problems, confusion, drowsiness or feeling sluggish, dizziness, double vision or blurred vision, headache, nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light or noise, balance problems, and slowed reaction to stimuli are some possible symptoms. A symptom of taking a medication (like anticoagulants, antiplatelet medicine, aspirin or steroids). Read more about the colorful stages of bruises. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Be sure floors are kept dry and that rugs are slip resistant. These usually occur on the back of the hands and the forearms. These flat blotches start out red, then turn purple, darken a bit further and eventually fade. The same might also apply to people who have very dry skin but no diagnosed skin condition. Having a condition or receiving treatment that affects your blood platelet count (such as. Bruises can occur at any age. Bruises due to minor injuries or accidents usually disappear on their own after a week or two. There are other factors that may influence easy bruising in the elderly. Prevention is better than cure. Bruises can be uncomfortable, but they usually heal on their own unless theyre associated with a medical condition. Ask your loved onesdoctor or pharmacist if a new prescription is likely to cause old-age bruising. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. In people with diabetes, wounds, including bruises, can take longer to heal. Purpura: Bruise-Like Spots on Skin That Aren't Bruises - Verywell Health Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Without it, blood vessels are more likely to burst. If bruising has started suddenly, or gets far worse over a short period, then it is worth seeing your GP. If you seem to be bruising easily, it could also be due to medications, a medical condition, or even a vitamin deficiency. Download free today. Learn about common. Factor X deficiency, also called Stuart-Prower factor deficiency, is a condition caused by not having enough of the protein known as factor X in the blood. Included is detail on what they look like and when to contact a, Purpura and petechiae are discolored spots of skin that result from leaking blood vessels. Ecchymosis: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment - WebMD Older adults who need intravenous (IV) procedures and shots may have bruises from minor blood vessel damage when the needle is inserted. However, the occasional bruise or a bruise due to an accident, typically isnt a cause for concern. Henoch-Schonlein purpura People with painful skin conditions may also take painkillers or antibiotics during flare-ups. Symptoms may begin immediately, or they may not develop for hours, days, weeks, or even months following a head injury. A doctor can carry out tests to see whether a person has a vitamin deficiency. A bruise, or contusion, is skin discoloration from damaged, leaking blood vessels underneath your skin. Most bruises are caused by physical injury. Fortunately, it really isnt anything to worry about. Some types of elderly skin bruising are harmless, but others can indicate a more serious problem. Immobilization is another cause of elderly skin bruising. Use a clean piece of gauze, but no tape on your delicate skin. Getting the right nutrients may also help protect against easy bruising. This will help you avoid the risk of falling which can cause more serious injuries than skin bruising. Alcohol is a major contributing factor to liver disease, but the condition can also result from cancer and other health issues. If you need help because of domestic violence or sexual assault, talk with a healthcare professional, or access resources and assistance through our domestic violence resource guide. Without enough vitamin C in the body, random bruising can occur. Bruises form when blood pools under the skin after an injury, the Cleveland Clinic explains . Some bruises appear with very little pain, and you might not notice them. If the injury. Physicians see elderly bruising regularly and may be more likely to know if elder abuse is a concern. A bruise is commonly tender, and sometimes even painful for the first few days, but the pain usually goes away as the color fades. Read full article on Christmas disease (hemophilia B). Being deficient in vitamin C and/or iron can lead to much easier bruising. There are many causes of skin bruising in the elderly. Doctors have no special treatment for bruises other than the techniques described above: ice packs and later heat, over-the-counter medications for pain, and elevation of the bruised area, if possible. Blood tests to check for clotting conditions and vitamin deficiencies. Last medically reviewed on December 7, 2021. Easy bruising is common with age. Bruises are common and usually disappear with time. Sometimes, elderly skin bruising on arms and legsis caused by medical procedures andeveryday assistance. Certain medications also make it more likely for you to bruise. As always, partner with your health care professional to get the best advice and plan of care for your personal situation. Place furniture away from doorways and common walking paths within your home. Ecchymosis (bruising) is a common condition that affects everyone at some point. Now that weve looked into why aging skin is so susceptible to bruising, lets dig deeper into the more common types of bruising that may occur. Factors that increase the risk include older age, having a condition that affects blood clotting, and using medications such as blood thinners. Von Willebrands disease, the most prevalent bleeding disorder, affects about 1% of the population. However, if you bruise easily, you have unexplained bruising, or the bruising is accompanied by bleeding elsewhere, it could be a sign of a condition that needs medical attention. A person may experience bleeding into the skin and bruising for a variety of reasons. Can 'biological race' explain disparities in health? The most common symptoms include easy bruising, excessive nosebleeds, prolonged bleeding after injury, bleeding from the gums, and abnormally heavy bleeding during menstruation. This is a mild traumatic brain injury that can occur after an impact to your head or after a whiplash-type injury. (2012). They may wish to discuss the risks and benefits of continuing treatment. Some types of medication can interfere with your bodys ability to form blood clots, which can increase your risk of bruising easily. This can be life-threatening. In most cases, this is nothing to be alarmed about. Solar Purpura: Symptoms, Causes, and Management - Verywell Health The type of treatment depends on the severity of the vasculitis and which area of the body it affects. After several days, your body will typically reabsorb the blood that initially caused the discoloration. Broken blood vessels cause bruises to form on your skin. The symptoms will be present from birth and can affect babies and young children. Aside from a physical exam to look at any bruises, your healthcare provider will likely ask you questions about your family medical history. On Brown and Black skin, they may appear purple or as darker skin. Cold compress. The most common include the following: People tend to bruise more easily with age, because blood vessels weaken, and the skin thins. Bruising on the back of the hands and arms is common. A bruise is a common skin injury that results in a discoloration of the skin. Solar purpura symptoms include purple-colored bruises, patches, and spots on the skin. Theyll want to rule out certain conditions that may require treatment. This causes blood to seep out of your blood vessel and pool underneath your skin, as there isnt an opening (wound) for your blood to get out of your body. Random Bruising: 13 Possible Causes Excluding Obvious Injury - Healthline Elderly Bruised Skin: What Causes It and How to Prevent It See your healthcare provider if a bruise doesnt improve or resolve within three weeks. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Thinning of the skin is the number one cause of bruising and skin damage. For example, they may appear brownish-black on darker complexions and reddish-purple on lighter complexions. A bruise develops when blood vessels become damaged, and blood leaks into tissues under the skin. Causes of a Bruise People typically get bruises when they bump into something or when something bumps into them. Ecchymosis is the medical term for bruises. Disease symptoms are caused by a defect in the genes that determine how the body makes clotting factors VIII, IX, or XI. (2015). Discoloration of the skin is often the first sign. Most bruises are harmless and go away without treatment. Causes include age, medications, and vasculitis. Here are 16 possible causes of. Most of us wont notice much in the way of bruising from them until we grow older. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. Most bruises fade away within two weeks without treatment. An iron deficiency or an inadequate supply of Vitamin C can cause your skin to bruise easily. Likebedsores, bruising often occurs when a bedridden seniors body begins to break down skin tissue after prolonged pressure and inactivity. It may be inherited or acquired as a result of disease, medications, or an autoimmune response. Causes | Background information | Bruising | CKS | NICE Over time, exposure to ultraviolet. If your doctor has prescribed blood-thinning drugs, be sure to have regular monitoring and adjust medications as necessary. This is especially the case with blood thinners and corticosteroids. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Remember that the cause of bruising can be unexpected. Sweet Pea 2023. First aid for a bruise after an injury involves: Other treatment options include using pain relief medication, such as ibuprofen. Sport injuries may occur from trauma or overuse. More severe bruises might need treatment. Skin in older adults is generally thinner, which can increase your risk of bruising. Zoe Diana Draelos, M.D.Senile purpura on the hands and arms is a common problem seen in elderly patients. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. These conditions include: You may treat bruises at home with some of the following options: You probably wont go through life without ever getting a bruise, but you can prevent some bruising by being cautious while playing, exercising, and driving. The lesions often appear after an injury to the skin but last longer than bruises and can be much larger. What steps can I take to lower my risk of bruising? Not drinking enough liquids may be another. Discoloration on an elderly persons skin is usually not a major cause for concern. In scurvy, the blood vessels weaken, resulting in: Vitamin K helps the body form clots to stop bleeding. What to Know About Bruising Skin in the Elderly Discover how to recognize a medical emergency, the complications, and more. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Purpura: Blood Spots, Thrombocytopenic, Symptoms & Causes However it is always helpful to know why elderly bruising happens and how you can help with healing. Dangerous symptoms that signal a medical emergency include loss of consciousness, seizures, vomiting, balance or coordination problems, disorientation, abnormal eye movements, persistent or worsening headache, loss of muscle control, memory loss, leaking of clear fluid from the ear or the nose, and extreme sleepiness. In the elderly, skin retains less moisture and loses its elasticity. In most cases, a person who bruises easily is unlikely to develop complications after a bruise. They can work with you to modify your treatment plan. 2023 Healthline Media LLC. If practical, raise the bruised area above your heart to keep blood from settling into the bruised tissue. As we age, our tastes may change and we may have a more restricted diet through choice. Inflicted bruises can be large and distinct in shape. It causes dark purple bruise-like lesions on the skin and is most likely to develop on the arms and hands. Learn about how to get. If you have a specific question or concern about a skin lesion or disease, please consult a dermatologist. Eating oily fish and plenty of nuts and seeds will help to nourish our skin to keep it supple. Sometimes bruising is caused by an underlying condition not related to injury. Bruises that develop after a cut, burn, fall, or injury are normal. Joint deformity. Why is easy bruising so common in older adults? You may get occasional bruises from minor injuries or injuries from sports. 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC, an Internet Brands company. Some elderly people find their diet is less varied than it once was. contact our caregiving team today online or call us at Here, find out some reasons one person may bruise more easily than another. Get rid of clutter and cords that may cause you to stumble or fall. Also, as you get older, you tend to lose some of the fatty layer in your skin that helps protect your blood vessels from injury. Introducing Our New Look! Applying moisturizing lotion to your hands and arms, or anywhere else you notice dryness or bruising can be helpful. They differ from normal bruises in several ways. A number of bleeding disorders can cause frequent bruising. If you experience frequent or unexplained bruising, your provider may order tests to rule out possible causes. Most of us get bruises from bumping into objects from time to time. Unexplained Bruising: Causes, Treatment, and Prevention - Verywell Health The pressure causes numbness and pain in the hand that can make the hand react more to cold temperatures. Healthcare professionals are required by law to ask you questions to make sure youre safe in your domestic situation. Meanwhile, Russian soldiers have been forced to hand . If you have a darker skin tone, you may notice purple, dark brown or black bruising. (2017). What causes them, and what you can do about them. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/bruises, http://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-bruise/basics/art-20056663, http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/healthy-aging/in-depth/easy-bruising/art-20045762, http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/1057.aspx?CategoryID=72, Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT. Claire Samuels is a senior copywriter at A Place for Mom, where she helps guide families through the dementia and memory care journey. In this article, we will explain what purpura is, why it happens, its diagnosis . Medications can be another cause of bruising on delicate skin. Stanger M, et al. Bruises form a mark on your skin that ranges in color from black, blue, purple, brown or yellow. Repeated actions or vibration. The blood from the vessels leaks into the tissues under the skin and gets trapped there, forming a bruise. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. As we age, our skin and blood vessels become more fragile and thinner. To learn more about our home care services, Protective sleeves can be ordered over the internet. Bruising happens when capillaries break open under your skin, causing bleeding within the skin tissue.