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Any suggestions to help with blood bruising on arms?

Posted by anne4u @anne4u, Jun 22 2:16pm

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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anne4u | @anne4u | Jun 25 2:57pm
In reply to @donnajones "I am so sorry at such a young age you r having to deal with this...." + (show)
@donnajones

I 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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I also have sleeves. I have them on now! I usually leave them on since I’m in and out with my dog throughout the day. Plus sunscreen. I hadn’t thought about a hematologist but that’s a good idea. I was taking ibuprofen until about two weeks ago when I switched to acetaminophen. Haven’t noticed any difference yet. Thanks for the ideas, I also feel it’s extreme for my age.

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mabfp3 | @mabfp3 | Jun 25 5:54pm

This exact same thing has been happening to me now, for about 8-10 years. I am 74 and I started having this problem around the age of 65. I was a lifeguard all through high school and college and I realize that I have sun damage. My dermatologist told me that my skin is thin. Right now, I have three or four of these purple bruises on my hands and wrists. If I just bump my hand into anything, one of these bruises appears instantly! I run cold water on it right away and put pressure on it, but it continues to just develop and spread! They take such a long time to go away!!! I don’t take any blood thinners or aspirin. I wonder if there are gloves sold somewhere to wear in the house, off and on, to cut down on the number of bruises. They are mostly on my hands, fingers and arms. Like you, I have tried creams, lotions, sunscreen etc. Nothing helps!!! I have done this so often just putting clothes into the washer or dryer. The minute that it happens, I think “Oh no! This bruise will be here for a month!” I asked my dermatologist if there is any type of lotion that could thicken the skin but she didn’t know of anything like that. I think that I need some gloves!!!!!!!

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1 reply
mabfp3 | @mabfp3 | Jun 25 5:57pm
In reply to @anne4u "Thanks! I’ll look into Amylactin. My dermatologist recommended Arnica lotion. I ordered some that is a..." + (show)
@anne4u

Thanks! 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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I have heard of Arnica lotion. I will give it a try.

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mabfp3 | @mabfp3 | Jun 25 6:00pm
In reply to @bunnybear "Wow! So much to process here. I will add my bit. I’ve been using Dermend cream..." + (show)
@bunnybear

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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Thank you for all of these recommendations! I will try Dermend again and keep at it!

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mabfp3 | @mabfp3 | Jun 25 6:02pm
In reply to @willow5 "My arm bruising started when i was in mid/late 50s. 71 now. I’ve always assumed it..." + (show)
@willow5

My arm bruising started when i was in mid/late 50s. 71 now. I’ve always assumed it was thinning skin from too much lovely California sun while growing up. I use DerMend, which is pricy, but it’s a lotion that helps the bruises disappear quicker. I find it works really well if I use it immediately on the bruise after getting my arm a little damp.

The best cure would be to wear leather gloves and sleeves. Gee, we could start a new look.

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I tried DerMend a few years ago. It is pricy but worth it. Do you buy the one for the bruises or the one that acts as a moisturizer?

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1 reply
mabfp3 | @mabfp3 | Jun 25 6:05pm
In reply to @gingerw "@anne4u Ya gotta admit, these picturesque bruises are real conversation starters, though, right!? I am prone..." + (show)
@gingerw

@anne4u Ya gotta admit, these picturesque bruises are real conversation starters, though, right!? I am prone to them also. From what I can gather, here are some of the factors involved: genetics [I am Irish, northern European descent], medications and their side effects, health conditions [I have several auto immune], use of quality sunscreens, exposure time outside. It is uncomfortable to be out in beautiful weather, wearing short sleeves, as my bruises show up.

Three weeks ago I had a run-in with the screen door [it won]. The resulting wound should probably had stitches, but everything is healed up now, and proud flesh where the 3 layers of skin had been. Good, right? Yesterday I am back to square one after missing a step-down on the back porch. Almost exact same location as before, for the new wound/bruise on my arm. Sigh.....
Ginger

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Along with the easy bruising, I find that skin tears can happen easily. So, so awful when they occur!

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mabfp3 | @mabfp3 | Jun 25 6:08pm
In reply to @pb50 "I take B12 supplements and level is fine. My Mom had them and I have them...." + (show)
@pb50

I take B12 supplements and level is fine. My Mom had them and I have them. I’m a brown-eye redhead of Irish ancestry,
So fair fair skin that is now also thin. I’ve asked primary, dermatology and my rheumatologist (in case it’s related to medication). Nothing to do.
I wear band aids occasionally, depending on location. But I'm wearing long sleeve oversized shirts more.

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I am also of Irish descent and fair-skinned. Like you, when these bruises occur, I put on band aids!!!!

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willow5 | @willow5 | Jun 25 6:09pm
In reply to @mabfp3 "I tried DerMend a few years ago. It is pricy but worth it. Do you buy..." + (show)
@mabfp3

I tried DerMend a few years ago. It is pricy but worth it. Do you buy the one for the bruises or the one that acts as a moisturizer?

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I use the one for bruising. It has a deep pink cap. If anyone finds something that can un-thin the skin, I’d love to know

I’ve pondered doing one of the dermotologist laser things that helps produce more collagen - but while it may produce more collagen, at 71, I will be losing the collagine - so I think not worth the thousands of dollars -:)

When gardening, leather rose gloves. Can’t wear a backpack for hiking because when the straps rub against my arms then I get the bruising.

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anne4u | @anne4u | Jun 26 2:12am
In reply to @mistymom "My dad had the brusing and the Doctors recommended vitamin C. It did help, but he..." + (show)
@mistymom

My 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.

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I do take vitamin C. I can relate to your dad because I’m in the process of moving myself. It certainly doesn’t help and I just started packing. I’ve been going through things as I have plans to lighten my load so to speak, donating and throwing away. And my dog happens to be super hyper and affectionate so keeping her at bay is hard. I love her but those paws are dangerous!

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