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Any suggestions to help with blood bruising on arms?
I’ve developed a pretty severe problem with blood bruises on my arms.
It started about 18 months ago and hasn’t stopped with diligent healing lotions, sunscreens, bruising creams, etc.
I recently saw a dermatologist who did a biopsy with negative results. He recommended continuing my regimen of lotion and sunscreen. I was disappointed he couldn’t help me more, but maybe there isn’t more he could do? A few months ago at an annual checkup I had comprehensive blood tests done and everything looks good. I’m not taking blood thinners or anything that would cause my capillaries to break so easily.
It’s so severe that I can tap my arm on something and it leaves a mark. My dog recently (accidentally) kicked her back legs off my upper arm and tore the top layers of skin off which left bad cuts and bruising from my forearm to my shoulder. I ended up at urgent care after it became infected and then 7 days on antibiotics. It’s healing but takes so long.
I’m dedicated to putting quality lotions and creams on my arms and I wear sunscreen when outside. I purchased sleeves to wear when outside working on my yard. I try to avoid the sun whenever I can.
I spent plenty of time in the sun growing up. I loved water sports and live close to the beach. But for the past 25 years my exposure has been limited. It seems this issue came on after I stopped taking pain medications and started using ibuprofen for pain. Recently, after reading that ibuprofen can thin the blood, I switched to acetaminophen. I haven’t seen any change yet.
Just last night I pushed a chair in at a dinner table and the top of my hand tapped the underside of the table, I now have a blood bruise across the top of my right hand. It seems like every day I have a new bruise.
I feel like my life is limited to avoiding the sun and hiding my beat up arms! Summer is here and I’d love nothing more than to be able to go outside in short sleeves and enjoy the day without getting stares at my horribly bruised arms! I know this is common with old age. I’m 65 and feel like I’m too young for the severity of bruising.
Is there anything that has helped anyone with this issue? Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks
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Thanks and I’m sorry to hear you’re brushing too. I did check with my doctor. She looked me over and did a full blood work up and ordered some extra that were especially for my bruising. She referred me to a dermatologist who did a biopsy. All clear results. My mom had bruising as well, but it started later in her life.
I’m taking precautions and I appreciate everyone’s suggestions and advice!
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2 ReactionsThanks! I’ll look into Amylactin. My dermatologist recommended Arnica lotion. I ordered some that is a gel.
I think it helps a little, I’ve been using it twice a day for 4 days now. I’m willing to try anything that might help!
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3 ReactionsI’ll try it! Thanks. I’m really only using lotions to try to improve my skin barrier, I figure keeping my arms hydrated can’t hurt!
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4 ReactionsWow! My heart goes out to you. I’ve been out ruling things that would be obvious and I saw my primary and a dermatologist about it. I’ve never talked about it with anyone who has experienced bruising before so I thought this would be the perfect place to ask. I appreciate hearing everyone’s experiences and suggestions. I hope your doing okay!
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2 ReactionsMy dad had the brusing and the Doctors recommended vitamin C. It did help, but he still would have them, just by barely bumping something. Same thing with my husband. They look like they would hurst but my husband says they dont. We are in the process of moving you can just imagne how many he has.
Wow! So much to process here. I will add my bit. I’ve been using Dermend cream that my Dermatologist recommended for years, and even though my GP said it can’t help to toughen the skin or peripheral blood vessels, it does help; but more to limit the spread once a bruise has started than anything else. Recently , I moved to another state to be near children. I had a lot of help but at the end of the move I had a huge increase of these blood spots, so much so that I sent pictures to my trusted M.D. in my previous state. She said the increase was likely due to my move and brushing against, opening boxes, etc. It appears she was right b/c now that is behind me, the new bruising has come to a halt. All it takes though is a strap from my phone rolling down my arm or rubbing my arm against the edge of the table as I get up to leave the table, for a new one to appear. So extreme caution is the word for me at this stage of progression. I’ve added a tip in the photos below: for coverup, Micropore tape is surprisingly good at camouflaging!
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7 ReactionsI got it at the grocery store. I think Costco may have it too.
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2 ReactionsI am so sorry at such a young age you r having to deal with this. I take an aspirin a day and have pretty much the same problems. When I was on plavix for 3 months it was horrible. I purchased some arm protectors like a sleeve that goes over your hands and leaves your fingers open and up your arm to about the elbow. When I clean or work outdoors I try to wear them really helps. Have you thought of seeing a hematologist? Yours sounds a little extreme for someone not even taking ibuprofen. Good luck .
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2 ReactionsOh yes, I have the same problem if anything hits my legs I end up with an infection and on Abx for 7 days just like you always turns into a cellulitis.
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1 ReactionBoiron Anicare cream works great to help bruising heal faster.
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