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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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Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Jun 27 10:35pm
In reply to @woondogger "I felt almost relieved to see this thread, I have struggled with the bruising for at..." + (show)
@woondogger

I felt almost relieved to see this thread, I have struggled with the bruising for at least fifteen years. I turn 83 in September. Seems I'm in good company here. Nothing helps me and I have tried dozens and dozens of ointments, etc. I do not take NSAIDS but I do take a low dose aspirin daily (TIA in 2019.) have also been told my Western European DNA / thin skin is a huge factor. Bandaids certainly hide the bruises, quality gloves when doing cleaning and gardening. I had to smile at the "washing machine" comment! Happens to me more than I want to admit. Curses! I also refuse to give up stylish clothes and have discovered Westmore products. Miracle worker! Enjoy your Thursday🥰

Jump to this post

@woondogger I wear long sleeves almost all the time, or a light sweater over my shirt, just to hide these bruises. Putting a bandaid on causes another bruise, or skin tear! What's up with that!!! Now the summer is here, I wore short sleeves yesterday to my doctors' appointments. I need to take a baby aspirin each day because of the possible side effects of one chemo med. We figured my DNA [Irish/Scottish], the chemo meds, and my kidney disease all contribute to the issue. Fortunately the bruises are usually only on my arms. I am confident if my medical team feel it is something more, we will investigate.
Ginger

REPLY
1 reply
woondogger | @woondogger | Jun 28 8:26am
In reply to @gingerw "@woondogger I wear long sleeves almost all the time, or a light sweater over my shirt,..." + (show)
@gingerw

@woondogger I wear long sleeves almost all the time, or a light sweater over my shirt, just to hide these bruises. Putting a bandaid on causes another bruise, or skin tear! What's up with that!!! Now the summer is here, I wore short sleeves yesterday to my doctors' appointments. I need to take a baby aspirin each day because of the possible side effects of one chemo med. We figured my DNA [Irish/Scottish], the chemo meds, and my kidney disease all contribute to the issue. Fortunately the bruises are usually only on my arms. I am confident if my medical team feel it is something more, we will investigate.
Ginger

Jump to this post

Wishing you well this morning! I have an allergy to latex, therefore I am careful with bandaids and use the fabric type. My hands usually bear the brunt of bruising especially if I forget gloves, which of course I do from time to time! Take good care.🌻

REPLY
1 reply
miked85284 | @miked85284 | Jun 28 9:25am

Join the club..you’re lucky you have survived.

REPLY
walk4life | @walk4life | Jun 28 11:10am
In reply to @woondogger "I felt almost relieved to see this thread, I have struggled with the bruising for at..." + (show)
@woondogger

I felt almost relieved to see this thread, I have struggled with the bruising for at least fifteen years. I turn 83 in September. Seems I'm in good company here. Nothing helps me and I have tried dozens and dozens of ointments, etc. I do not take NSAIDS but I do take a low dose aspirin daily (TIA in 2019.) have also been told my Western European DNA / thin skin is a huge factor. Bandaids certainly hide the bruises, quality gloves when doing cleaning and gardening. I had to smile at the "washing machine" comment! Happens to me more than I want to admit. Curses! I also refuse to give up stylish clothes and have discovered Westmore products. Miracle worker! Enjoy your Thursday🥰

Jump to this post

@woondogger , i have not heard of this brand. What particular product do you use and is it available in the U.S.?

REPLY
1 reply
woondogger | @woondogger | Jun 28 11:34am
In reply to @walk4life "@woondogger , i have not heard of this brand. What particular product do you use and..." + (show)
@walk4life

@woondogger , i have not heard of this brand. What particular product do you use and is it available in the U.S.?

Jump to this post

Yes it is here in the US. I order from Amazon. It is an amazing cover-up for bruises and any other issues with arm, hand and leg discoloration. Westmore is the name, not inexpensive but worth every penny. It stays put. Removed with baby oil is what I do. Until you remove it, it's there. I use the Body Coverage Perfector. My legs have a bit of discoloration: scarring from injuries and skin biopsies.

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Jun 28 1:38pm
In reply to @woondogger "Wishing you well this morning! I have an allergy to latex, therefore I am careful with..." + (show)
@woondogger

Wishing you well this morning! I have an allergy to latex, therefore I am careful with bandaids and use the fabric type. My hands usually bear the brunt of bruising especially if I forget gloves, which of course I do from time to time! Take good care.🌻

Jump to this post

@woondogger My skin is so fragile, the bandaids, which are made to stay put [yeah for that feature!] actually tear my skin layers. I use sterile gauze and cloth tape instead. My sister has a latex allergy, and I think she carries her own with her everywhere!

You take care, also.
Ginger

REPLY
2 replies
woondogger | @woondogger | Jun 28 1:55pm
In reply to @gingerw "@woondogger My skin is so fragile, the bandaids, which are made to stay put [yeah for..." + (show)
@gingerw

@woondogger My skin is so fragile, the bandaids, which are made to stay put [yeah for that feature!] actually tear my skin layers. I use sterile gauze and cloth tape instead. My sister has a latex allergy, and I think she carries her own with her everywhere!

You take care, also.
Ginger

Jump to this post

Another GREAT option! Thank you for sharing. I'd forgotten about the magical properties of paper tape!!

REPLY
anne4u | @anne4u | Jun 29 2:59pm
In reply to @gingerw "@woondogger My skin is so fragile, the bandaids, which are made to stay put [yeah for..." + (show)
@gingerw

@woondogger My skin is so fragile, the bandaids, which are made to stay put [yeah for that feature!] actually tear my skin layers. I use sterile gauze and cloth tape instead. My sister has a latex allergy, and I think she carries her own with her everywhere!

You take care, also.
Ginger

Jump to this post

I had the same thing happen with bandaids Ginger. I learned the hard way by putting a bandage on a cut on my forearm and when I took it off it tore the skin off my arm. Made a minor cut much worse! I do the same thing you do with
gauze. I also found lubricated bandages that don’t stick unless left on too long so they dry out. I wrap an ace bandage over them. A doctor at an urgent care used one on an infected wound on my upper arm and presto, another aid in my arsenal for bruise and wound care!

REPLY
1 reply
minnesota10 | @minnesota10 | Jun 29 5:22pm

I have to be careful about Band-Aids as well. I had surgery and they put hyper allergenic Band-Aids on. A few days later I had red blisters under the Band-Aids. I remove them and let the air get into them and call the doctor. He said that was fine.

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