Spontaneous Bruising: Causes and when to Seek Treatment

We all experience bruises from time to time by accidentally falling or carelessly banging up against something. However, some people experience bruising without knowing how it was caused. Bruising that occurs without any trauma to the skin is called spontaneous bruising and it can occur for many reasons. Aging, some medications or certain diseases can cause spontaneous bruising so it is important to know when you should seek treatment if you are experiencing this type of bruising.

What is a Spontaneous Bruise?

A typical bruise occurs in an area of the body that has experienced trauma from bumping into something, falling down or some other form of injury. Under the injured skin, tiny blood vessels (capillaries) break and blood cells seep out into the skin and tissues. This creates a red mark that turns purple or black. Over time, the body absorbs the blood and the bruise disappears.

A spontaneous bruise, also known as an easy bruise, is one that occurs on its own and the person has no recollection of what caused the bruise. This type of bruise can begin to form as you watch it. It usually begins with the area swelling up and within an hour the bruise begins to appear. Many times the area will be sensitive to the touch, or feel as if you had hit it against a hard surface. For other people, a spontaneous bruise may occur from lightly tapping the skin, a touch that normally doesn't cause a bruise to occur.

Causes of Spontaneous Bruising

There are several different reasons for easy or spontaneous bruising, many associated with medications you may be taking or symptoms of a health condition. Aging can also be a reason for spontaneous bruising. As we age, the layer of fat under the skin becomes thinner causing the skin to offer less protection. Capillaries under the skin also become more fragile with age and can break easily. Sun exposure to the skin can also cause damage, making the skin become thinner over time.

Medications, both over-the-counter and prescription can cause bruising to occur. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen, naproxen and aspirin interfere with blood clotting and cause bleeding into the skin tissues. Prescription drugs such as warfarin and clopidogrel also reduce the bloods ability to clot, causing easy bruising. Cortisone medications such as prednisone can cause capillaries to become fragile and break easily. If you are taking any of these medications and notice you are bruising more than normal, do not stop taking the medication but instead talk to your doctor for further evaluation.

Dietary supplements such as fish oil and ginkgo also have blood-thinning capabilities and could cause an increase in bleeding. The prescription medication LOVAZA, which is used to lower triglycerides in the blood also contains fish oil and could cause thinning of the blood. Talk to your doctor about any medications you are taking if you are experiencing spontaneous bruising.

When to See a Doctor about Spontaneous or Easy Bruising

An occasional spontaneous or easy bruise is generally nothing to be concerned with but if it is occurring often it may be time to see a doctor. According to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, bruising may be a symptom of a more serious condition such as a blood-clotting disorder or blood disease. It is recommended to visit a doctor if:

• You experience painful or large bruises often and you are unaware of how they occurred

• You are bruising easily and also are experiencing other types of bleeding such as from the gums, nose or the intestinal tract

• You usually do not bruise easily yet are suddenly noticing spontaneous bruising

Be sure to tell your doctor about all of the prescription medications you are taking as well as any vitamin, mineral or herbal supplements, as these may be associated with the bruising. Your doctor will begin by testing your blood platelet levels and blood-clotting ability before testing for other conditions that may be causing the bruising.

Spontaneous bruising is not a life-threatening condition but it may be a warning sign of other health problems. If you are experiencing easy or spontaneous bruising on a regular basis, it is best to see a doctor for a proper evaluation.

Sources:

MayoClinic.com "Easy bruising: Common as you age" Retrieved July 14, 2010.

University of Illinois Medical Center "Bruising" Retrieved July 14, 2010.