Why random bruises appear

Intense exercise can leave you with more than just sore muscles. When you strain a muscle , you injure muscle tissue deep under the skin. This can cause blood vessels to burst and leak blood into the surrounding area. Certain medications make you more susceptible to bruising. When your blood takes longer to clot, more of it leaks from your blood vessels and accumulates under your skin. If you suspect that your bruising is a result of OTC or prescription medication use, see a doctor.

They can advise you on any next steps. Vitamins perform many important functions in your blood. They aid in the formation of red blood cells, help maintain mineral levels, and lower your cholesterol. Vitamin C, for example, supports your immune system and aids in wound healing. Other symptoms of a vitamin C deficiency include:. This may make your skin more susceptible to bruising.

Although rare in healthy adults, vitamin K deficiencies can slow the rate at which blood clots. Other symptoms of vitamin K deficiency include:. If you suspect that your bruising is a result of deficiency, see a healthcare provider. They may prescribe iron tablets or other medication — as well as help you modify your diet — to meet your nutritional needs. They can make a diagnosis, if needed, and advise you on next steps.

If diabetes has already been diagnosed, your bruising may simply be a result of slow wound healing. It may also result from pricking the skin to test your blood sugar or injecting insulin. People with von Willebrand disease are born with the condition, but may not develop symptoms until later in life. This bleeding disorder is a lifelong condition. Whenever this blood gets trapped under the surface of the skin, it will form a bruise.

Someone with von Willebrand disease might notice large or lumpy bruises from minor, even unnoticeable, injuries. Thrombophilia means that your blood has an increased tendency to clot. This condition occurs when your body makes too much or too little clotting chemicals. Thrombophilia typically has no symptoms until a blood clot develops. If you develop a blood clot, your doctor will probably test you for thrombophilia and may put you on blood thinners anticoagulants.

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? These include: Your age. Babies and older adults tend to get sicker quicker. Your overall health. If you have a condition such as diabetes, HIV, cancer, or heart disease, you may need to pay closer attention to certain symptoms and seek care sooner.

Medicines you take. Certain medicines, such as blood thinners anticoagulants , medicines that suppress the immune system like steroids or chemotherapy, herbal remedies, or supplements can cause symptoms or make them worse. Recent health events , such as surgery or injury. These kinds of events can cause symptoms afterwards or make them more serious. Your health habits and lifestyle , such as eating and exercise habits, smoking, alcohol or drug use, sexual history, and travel. Try Home Treatment You have answered all the questions.

Try home treatment to relieve the symptoms. Call your doctor if symptoms get worse or you have any concerns for example, if symptoms are not getting better as you would expect. You may need care sooner. Shock is a life-threatening condition that may quickly occur after a sudden illness or injury. Adults and older children often have several symptoms of shock. These include: Passing out losing consciousness. Feeling very dizzy or lightheaded, like you may pass out. Feeling very weak or having trouble standing.

Not feeling alert or able to think clearly. You may be confused, restless, fearful, or unable to respond to questions. Shock is a life-threatening condition that may occur quickly after a sudden illness or injury. Babies and young children often have several symptoms of shock.

Being very sleepy or hard to wake up. Not responding when being touched or talked to. Breathing much faster than usual. Acting confused. The child may not know where he or she is.

Examples of abnormal bleeding include: Nosebleeds. Vaginal bleeding that is different heavier, more frequent, at a different time of month than what you are used to. Rectal bleeding and bloody stools. Bloody or pink urine. Gums that bleed easily when you eat or gently brush your teeth. A few examples are: Aspirin and other medicines called blood thinners that prevent blood clots. Also, taking a nonprescription medicine with a blood thinner may increase your risk of bruising and bleeding.

Medicines used to treat cancer. Steroids, such as prednisone. Symptoms of infection may include: Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness in or around the area. Red streaks leading from the area. Pus draining from the area. A fever. Symptoms of serious illness may include: A severe headache. A stiff neck. Mental changes, such as feeling confused or much less alert. Extreme fatigue to the point where it's hard for you to function.

Shaking chills. Symptoms of serious illness in a baby may include the following: The baby is limp and floppy like a rag doll. The baby doesn't respond at all to being held, touched, or talked to. The baby is hard to wake up.

Long-term alcohol and drug problems. Steroid medicines, which may be used to treat a variety of conditions. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy for cancer. Other medicines used to treat autoimmune disease. Medicines taken after organ transplant.

Not having a spleen. Call Now Based on your answers, you need emergency care. Seek Care Today Based on your answers, you may need care soon. Call your doctor today to discuss the symptoms and arrange for care. If you cannot reach your doctor or you don't have one, seek care today. If it is evening, watch the symptoms and seek care in the morning.

If the symptoms get worse, seek care sooner. Seek Care Now Based on your answers, you may need care right away. Call your doctor now to discuss the symptoms and arrange for care.

If you cannot reach your doctor or you don't have one, seek care in the next hour. You do not need to call an ambulance unless: You cannot travel safely either by driving yourself or by having someone else drive you.

You are in an area where heavy traffic or other problems may slow you down. Make an Appointment Based on your answers, the problem may not improve without medical care.

Make an appointment to see your doctor in the next 1 to 2 weeks. If appropriate, try home treatment while you are waiting for the appointment. If symptoms get worse or you have any concerns, call your doctor. Home Treatment Home Treatment 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.

Rest and protect a bruised area. Ice will reduce pain and swelling. Apply ice or cold packs immediately to prevent or minimize swelling.

Apply the ice or cold pack for 10 to 20 minutes, 3 or more times a day. For the first 48 hours after an injury, avoid things that might increase swelling, such as hot showers, hot tubs, hot packs, or alcoholic beverages. After 48 to 72 hours, if swelling is gone, apply heat and begin gentle exercise with the aid of moist heat to help restore and maintain flexibility. Some experts recommend alternating between hot and cold treatments. Compression , or wrapping the bruised area with an elastic bandage such as an Ace wrap , will help decrease swelling.

Don't wrap it too tightly, as this can cause more swelling below the affected area. Loosen the bandage if it gets too tight. Signs that the bandage is too tight include numbness, tingling, increased pain, coolness, or swelling in the area below the bandage. Talk to your doctor if you think you need to use a wrap for longer than 48 to 72 hours.

To find the cause of your bruising, your doctor might check your blood platelet levels or do tests that measure the time it takes your blood to clot. Other serious causes of bruising include domestic violence or abuse. If a loved one has an unexplainable bruise, particularly in an unusual location such as on the face, be aware of the possibility of abuse.

Unfortunately, once a bruise has formed, not much can be done to treat it. Most bruises eventually disappear as your body reabsorbs the blood, although healing might take longer as you age. It might help to elevate the affected area and apply ice. There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Sign up for free, and stay up-to-date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID, plus expert advice on managing your health.

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This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. See more conditions. Healthy Lifestyle Healthy aging. Products and services. Easy bruising: Why does it happen If you're experiencing easy bruising, you might have questions about what's causing the problem and what you can do about it. By Mayo Clinic Staff. Thank you for Subscribing Our Housecall e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest health information.