I get bruised very easily. If any part of my body hits any object, it turns black/blue. Any suggestions?

Getting bruised easily is not an uncommon problem; it affects several people across the globe, regardless of their age or gender. Since you are one of them, it is quite likely that you barely feel a thing when you bump into an object, but are reminded about it hours later, when you see an unsightly bruise form on your skin. At times, you may see a new bruise, but may not be able to recall how you got it. Easy and frequent bruising is usually a symptom of aging. In most cases, this is a harmless problem, especially if the bruises go away on their own. However, in some cases, excessive bruising, or bruises swelling, could be an indication of a serious underlying problem.

Causes of Bruises

The causes of bruises are varied. Bruises are generally formed when the capillaries (or the small blood vessels) that are situated near the surface of the skin are broken by the force of an injury or a blow. When an object hits your body, blood may leak out of the vessel, leading to a mark that is bright red, purple or black. Over a period of time, the blood is absorbed once again, by your body, which causes the mark to disappear. The biggest and main causes of bruises are aging capillaries and thinning skin.

Treatment for Bruises

It is much better to prevent a bruise, as there is not much that can be done to treat it, once it is formed. Therefore knowing the causes of bruises is essential for prevention of the same. However, there are certain bruises remedies that can help alleviate the discomfort caused by them:

• Rest the bruised area for as long as possible, to allow the tissues, which have been worn out, to heal. This promotes faster healing and prevents further injuries.
• Apply ice packs directly on the bruises, frequently throughout the day to help healing it and preventing infections. In case you cannot place the ice pack directly on your skin, wrap it in a towel, so that it will not be too cold on the bruise.
• If possible, keep the bruised area elevated, i.e., lift them above your heart level. This will decrease the flow of blood to that area, which stops the blood from congregating in the surrounding tissues.
• Apply ointments that contain Vitamin K on the bruised area. Vitamin K helps the body to absorb blood faster, which is very effective in curing bruises.
• Another great solution for bruises is apple cider vinegar, which should be applied frequently throughout the day, on the bruise, using a towel.

Make sure that you follow a healthy diet, which is high in fruits and vegetables, since they contain a lot of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that can strengthen your body.

answered by G R

Easy bruising can be a symptom of anemia as well as other systemic diseases, so you should go see a doctor and get bloodwork done in case you need medical treatment. Since there are different causes and types of anemia, you need to get this condition diagnosed properly so the appropriate treatment recommendations can be made.

Other recommendations for easy bruising are connective tissue support, especially foods rich in bio-flavonoids and anti-oxidants. These nutrients can be found in berries (esp. blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries). Other colorful fruits and vegetables are also rich in flavonoids. Green tea is another excellent source of flavonoids and antioxidants. Drinking 4 cups a day is a good general health recommendation. Some herbs that can be helpful for vascular function and to strengthen capillaries so they don't break easily and cause bruising are Ginkgo Biloba and Gotu Kola.

I strongly recommend seeing a healthcare professional before beginning any home treatment! Untreated anemia can lead to other serious health consequences. And always check with a Naturopath or Herbalist before taking herbal supplements if you have any diagnosed medical conditions or are taking any prescription medications. Just because herbs are "natural" does not always make them safer. I intentionally did not include dosing information on the herbs I mentioned since you should see a professional.

I hope this information is helpful.

answered by Dr S B N