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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 | Jul 3 6:38pm
In reply to @anne4u "Thanks Ginger, I’ll try that! I put some Neosporin on a cut on my arm about..." + (show)
@anne4u

Thanks Ginger, I’ll try that! I put some Neosporin on a cut on my arm about a month ago and it ended up getting infected so I’ve been cautious about putting ointment's on my cuts. The cut that got infected was a dog scratch so maybe that’s why it got infected. I also give cuts air during the day and cover them at night. Not only to protect my sheets but because I can do more damage moving around in bed.

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@anne4u Any intrusion on your skin [dog scratch, rose thorn, etc] needs to be cleaned thoroughly. And your hands applying the meds also, if you aren't using gloves. Remember that giving the cut time off during the day to air can also lead to more infectious stuff getting in!

It's a never-ending battle, isn't it?
Ginger

REPLY
1 reply
anne4u | @anne4u | Jul 4 12:47am
In reply to @gingerw "@anne4u Any intrusion on your skin [dog scratch, rose thorn, etc] needs to be cleaned thoroughly...." + (show)
@gingerw

@anne4u Any intrusion on your skin [dog scratch, rose thorn, etc] needs to be cleaned thoroughly. And your hands applying the meds also, if you aren't using gloves. Remember that giving the cut time off during the day to air can also lead to more infectious stuff getting in!

It's a never-ending battle, isn't it?
Ginger

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Thanks Ginger, your tips are very helpful! I should have specified that I usually only expose wounds to air once they’re well on their way to healing! For me, if I don’t allow some air flow, even while using gauze, etc. my wounds take twice as long to heal.

You’re right about one thing, it is a never ending battle! I realize once these bruises start happening they are likely to be a part of my life from now on. Reading so many great suggestions and tips, I know I’m not alone. I think we all just want to better ourselves if we can. To live more carefree and wear a short sleeve shirt for goodness sake! 😀

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anne4u | @anne4u | Jul 4 1:35am
In reply to @wascaly "I, too, bruise mainly on my forearms. It’s just awful! I can go to bed relatively..." + (show)
@wascaly

I, too, bruise mainly on my forearms. It’s just awful! I can go to bed relatively clear and wake up with a new (and ugly) bruise that popped up overnight! My PC doc said the skin doesn’t really get thin, but the capillaries get closer to the surface (I think that’s how he explained it).
Anyway, he said nothing about sun exposure, but recommended Dermend. I’ve been using it for years and it seems to be the only thing that makes a difference. They’ll FINALLY fade, but they take their sweet time doing so. Of course, by the time they do fade, two more have popped up! Very frustrating.
I guess it could be worse….my legs could also be affected. So far, at age 74, the
bruising has been confined to my forearms, and my right forearm seems to be more vulnerable than my left. Every now and then, I might bruise on my hands, as well.
My dermatologist recently told me if he had the solution, he’d be a rich man!

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I agree about the capillaries being closer to the skin. But I also think my skin is thinning because it tears so easily now. I learned recently that I have to be careful with bandaids, taking one off tore my skin off also! Live and learn right? I’ve never had a problem taking off a bandaid before.
I am grateful my legs don’t bruise easily but I have new scars that show up more obviously. Maybe because I’m not in the sun as much so no tan. Never a dull moment!

REPLY
gravity3 | @gravity3 | Jul 4 3:51am

I'd like to know if any of the women speaking about these bruises and thinning skin are currently on HRT. I am trying to find out if returning to HRT use helps.

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bunnybear | @bunnybear | Jul 4 7:41am
In reply to @gravity3 "What about HRT?" + (show)
@gravity3

What about HRT?

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I am 83 and have been on HRT since my hysterectomy in 2001 at age 61. HRT has improved my skin dramatically. I know for sure b/c when I decided to get off it I looked like I had aged many, many years🫢😳. But it does not prevent bruising on my arms. Only taking care not to bump or tear my skin and Dermend helps with that.

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2 replies
anne4u | @anne4u | Jul 4 4:56pm
In reply to @jillsy "Wow - I'm so glad I stumbled on this thread. My once pretty legs are marred..." + (show)
@jillsy

Wow - I'm so glad I stumbled on this thread. My once pretty legs are marred with bruises, spider veins, etc. So I just bought the DerMend (from Walmart.com since it was cheaper than Amazon), and now I'll try the Westmore. Thanks!

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I ordered some DerMend too!

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beachgal8 | @beachgal8 | Jul 6 9:42am
In reply to @hopeinal "I developed horrible bruising and tissue thin skin on my forearms and tops of hands after..." + (show)
@hopeinal

I developed horrible bruising and tissue thin skin on my forearms and tops of hands after being put on Prednisone for PMR last year. Several people with PMR who are taking Pred have posted pbotos showing their arms exactly like mine. I hadn't thought about seeing a dermatologist but maybe I should.

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Me too except from blood thinner! It’s so embarrassing!

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1 reply
paulabj | @paulabj | Jul 6 10:05am

I am so glad you posted this. I showed my 'bruises' to my GP and he said it's a result of thin skin that comes with age, and nothing can fix it or make it better. I spoke with my nephrologist (I have CKD) and he said the same thing. At least I know it isn't related to my kidney problems. I agree that it is so embarrassing that I wear longer sleeves even in the summer. I just thank God that I wake up every day and continue to have His support. That makes it a whole lot easier to handle.

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2 replies
beachgal8 | @beachgal8 | Jul 6 10:10am
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’m with you…no more short sleeves. I am Irish and English with fair skin plus I’m on blood thinners. Always hiding my arms now from bruises. I have 2 dogs that accidentally bruise me too!

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