1. < Aging Well

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

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Aging Well Support Group.

hopeinal | @hopeinal | Aug 1 9:15am
In reply to @sue417 "Ho It's from the medications for heart that cause it beta blockers and statins" + (show)
@sue417

Ho
It's from the medications for heart that cause it beta blockers and statins

Jump to this post

I don't take any heart medicine and I've got it really bad. I think you mean blood thinnners but I'm not on any of them either & don't take NSAIDS or aspirin.

REPLY
1 reply
hopeinal | @hopeinal | Aug 1 9:17am
In reply to @sue417 "Hi I am over 60 was also told it's aging and sml bld vessels breaking as..." + (show)
@sue417

Hi
I am over 60 was also told it's aging and sml bld vessels breaking as the skin gets thinner. It's frustrating I hate it.

Jump to this post

Senile purpura as the deep purple blotches are called on elderly people is not the same thing as this. I was a nurse for over 40 years and worked around many geriatric patients. Mine began after the Prednisone and if you look up the side effects, that's one of them.

REPLY
1 reply
hopeinal | @hopeinal | Aug 1 9:20am
In reply to @anne4u "I hate it too! I was told by a dermatologist to try arnica cream. I looked..." + (show)
@anne4u

I hate it too! I was told by a dermatologist to try arnica cream. I looked on Amazon.com and found a gel form that has good reviews so I purchased it. It does seem to help the bruising heal faster. I’ve been using it almost everyday and sometimes cover my forearms with a thin layer which to my surprise seems to aid in lessening bruising. I don’t think it’s my imagination! I’ve used it about three weeks now. I’m going to share the brand because so many of us are looking for help. I certainly can’t guarantee it but like I said, it seems to help bruising heal quicker. It’s called Arnica Gel 98% by DuLac. It’s $30.98 I wouldn’t share if I didn’t think it was helping!

Jump to this post

I recently read that Retinols help as well. I've been using Retin-A for years on my face but am switching to my arms. Thanks for the tip about Arnica gel!

REPLY
1 reply
hopeinal | @hopeinal | Aug 1 9:21am

I somehow posted my comment twice and can't delete the extra. Sorry!

REPLY
sue417 | @sue417 | Aug 1 10:34am
In reply to @hopeinal "I don't take any heart medicine and I've got it really bad. I think you mean..." + (show)
@hopeinal

I don't take any heart medicine and I've got it really bad. I think you mean blood thinnners but I'm not on any of them either & don't take NSAIDS or aspirin.

Jump to this post

Hi
I have it real bad right now because I just had another bisphosphonate I.v. I also was told arnica homeopathic pills and vitamin c with retinol. I hate it to. It usually clears up in the winter

REPLY
sue417 | @sue417 | Aug 1 10:37am
In reply to @hopeinal "Senile purpura as the deep purple blotches are called on elderly people is not the same..." + (show)
@hopeinal

Senile purpura as the deep purple blotches are called on elderly people is not the same thing as this. I was a nurse for over 40 years and worked around many geriatric patients. Mine began after the Prednisone and if you look up the side effects, that's one of them.

Jump to this post

Hi
Mine also started after medication the zoledronic acid infusions. I just had my 3rd and my arms are covered in them. Very annoying. Drs don't seem to worry about it

REPLY
anne4u | @anne4u | Aug 1 6:28pm
In reply to @jana13 "I was looking at my arm this morning and they are awful. I have a huge..." + (show)
@jana13

I was looking at my arm this morning and they are awful. I have a huge dark bruise on my left elbow. I think l must have walked into a door.
That same arm has keloids from where my granddog
Scratched me. I am see a dermatologist in October about the keloids. My right arm isn’t as bad just a few purple marks from where l scratched my arm when it was itchy. I try to keep itch calming lotion on my arms. The skin just tears so easily.
I had blood work last week and my platelets were a little high. Maybe that is what causes them to be so dark. My primary saw of bruises, but didn’t seem alarmed by them, Maybe when l finally get to see the dermatologist he will have some answers for me. It may just be that l’m 77 years old and l take a lot of medications. But
anxious for what the dermatologist has to say. I am going to try the arnica cream. Maybe it will also help with joint pain from RA.

Jump to this post

I have bruises on my elbows too! I notice much more than I used to when I bump into things. I don’t know if I’ve become more clumsy or if the bruises make me notice more.
My arms are actually pretty clear right now but I hate to jinks myself by saying that. I’ve been using a cream called Omega 6 Healing Cream by Truth Treatment Systems and I have to say it’s healing my bruises really fast. I’m actually amazed. Nothing else I’ve tried has done this so quickly. I also notice a difference in my skin. I’ve been dotting it on the bruises and then gently rubbing it in. Then I wipe my entire arm with any excess. I’m going to update a post of mine with the info so others can try it if they’d like. It is expensive however it only takes a small dab to be effective.
I backed off the arnica gel to test the Omega 6 Healing Cream but will probably start using it along with the Omega 6 for any possible prevention it might aid in. I’m so sorry to hear you’re dealing with keloids. I hope your dermatologist has some ideas to help you heal. The bruising on top of that doesn’t help. The arnica gel was the 1st thing I tried for brushing and it did seem to help, but slowly. The Omega 6 Healing Cream was more immediate, within 24 hours I saw a difference. Let us know how things go at the dermatologist.

REPLY
11moondog11 | @11moondog11 | Aug 1 7:45pm
In reply to @jana13 "I was looking at my arm this morning and they are awful. I have a huge..." + (show)
@jana13

I was looking at my arm this morning and they are awful. I have a huge dark bruise on my left elbow. I think l must have walked into a door.
That same arm has keloids from where my granddog
Scratched me. I am see a dermatologist in October about the keloids. My right arm isn’t as bad just a few purple marks from where l scratched my arm when it was itchy. I try to keep itch calming lotion on my arms. The skin just tears so easily.
I had blood work last week and my platelets were a little high. Maybe that is what causes them to be so dark. My primary saw of bruises, but didn’t seem alarmed by them, Maybe when l finally get to see the dermatologist he will have some answers for me. It may just be that l’m 77 years old and l take a lot of medications. But
anxious for what the dermatologist has to say. I am going to try the arnica cream. Maybe it will also help with joint pain from RA.

Jump to this post

Arnica cream did nothing for me, hopefully you'll have better luck!

REPLY
pht1123 | @pht1123 | Aug 2 8:25am

I have had this from prednisone - sometimes it is better, but any scratch or bump can cause this - for me. It also appears out of no where without any injury. I have used Dermend moisturizing bruise formula cream. (I am not compensated at all for this). It has helped me sometimes, if I put this on as soon as the blood bruise appears. Hope this is helpful. I have also heard of arnica cream, but that does not help me as much.

REPLY
2 replies
morkat | @morkat | Aug 2 9:41am

As long as it is not connected to serious disease, wear long sleeves and move on with your day. I've had this for over 10 years. Of all the things wrong with me, I consider this minor. Hang in there!

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.