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.

jana13 | @jana13 | Aug 3 1:19pm
In reply to @pht1123 "I have had this from prednisone - sometimes it is better, but any scratch or bump..." + (show)
@pht1123

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.

Jump to this post

I am going to try the Dermend. I called the pharmacy and
they are going to deliver it on Monday. Anxious to try it. I see my rheumatologist on Tuesday, and l will ask her if it relates to my RA. Thanks for recommending it.

REPLY
2 replies
anne4u | @anne4u | Aug 3 1:39pm
In reply to @hopeinal "I recently read that Retinols help as well. I've been using Retin-A for years on my..." + (show)
@hopeinal

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!

Jump to this post

Be sure to use sunscreen, especially using Retin-A! Good luck, let us know how you do.

REPLY
beachgal8 | @beachgal8 | Aug 4 10:23am
In reply to @pht1123 "I have had this from prednisone - sometimes it is better, but any scratch or bump..." + (show)
@pht1123

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.

Jump to this post

Thank you. I bought the Dermend and it does help me also! It just gets so embarrassing to have the dark spots all over my arms!

REPLY
nasievers | @nasievers | Aug 4 5:49pm
In reply to @jana13 "I am going to try the Dermend. I called the pharmacy and they are going to..." + (show)
@jana13

I am going to try the Dermend. I called the pharmacy and
they are going to deliver it on Monday. Anxious to try it. I see my rheumatologist on Tuesday, and l will ask her if it relates to my RA. Thanks for recommending it.

Jump to this post

Are you taking a blood thinner? That can cause bruising.

REPLY
donnajones | @donnajones | Aug 5 6:06am

I also have this problem. I did honor Amazon and purchase the sleeves to wear when I am outside or inside working. I also just purchased a new lotion one of my patients swears by called Biocel. I will let you know if it works just arrived yesterday. Her arms
Looked great and she said hers looked like mine before starting.

REPLY
4 replies
donnajones | @donnajones | Aug 5 6:07am
In reply to @jana13 "I am going to try the Dermend. I called the pharmacy and they are going to..." + (show)
@jana13

I am going to try the Dermend. I called the pharmacy and
they are going to deliver it on Monday. Anxious to try it. I see my rheumatologist on Tuesday, and l will ask her if it relates to my RA. Thanks for recommending it.

Jump to this post

I tried the dermend and it did nothing for me.

REPLY
anne4u | @anne4u | Aug 8 5:26pm
In reply to @donnajones "I also have this problem. I did honor Amazon and purchase the sleeves to wear when..." + (show)
@donnajones

I also have this problem. I did honor Amazon and purchase the sleeves to wear when I am outside or inside working. I also just purchased a new lotion one of my patients swears by called Biocel. I will let you know if it works just arrived yesterday. Her arms
Looked great and she said hers looked like mine before starting.

Jump to this post

Please let us know! I wanted to share I’ve been using a new cream too. It’s called Omega 6 Healing Cream and it’s healing my bruises really fast, I saw a noticeable improvement right away. It’s also healing skin discoloration from repeated bruises on my right elbow. I’m continuing its use to see if healing continues at the rate it appears to be now.

REPLY
2 replies
donnajones | @donnajones | Aug 9 5:56am
In reply to @anne4u "Please let us know! I wanted to share I’ve been using a new cream too. It’s..." + (show)
@anne4u

Please let us know! I wanted to share I’ve been using a new cream too. It’s called Omega 6 Healing Cream and it’s healing my bruises really fast, I saw a noticeable improvement right away. It’s also healing skin discoloration from repeated bruises on my right elbow. I’m continuing its use to see if healing continues at the rate it appears to be now.

Jump to this post

Where did you get the omega 6 healing cream? Honestly I think this is working I’ve been using it about 2x/day and the bruising on my arms looks better. I may try the Omega 6 because my hands seem permanently scarred from the bruising and dark. Thanks for the info.

REPLY
2 replies
linedancer2 | @linedancer2 | Aug 9 1:12pm
In reply to @donnajones "I also have this problem. I did honor Amazon and purchase the sleeves to wear when..." + (show)
@donnajones

I also have this problem. I did honor Amazon and purchase the sleeves to wear when I am outside or inside working. I also just purchased a new lotion one of my patients swears by called Biocel. I will let you know if it works just arrived yesterday. Her arms
Looked great and she said hers looked like mine before starting.

Jump to this post

Where are you buying this product?

REPLY
woondogger | @woondogger | Aug 9 1:42pm
In reply to @donnajones "Where did you get the omega 6 healing cream? Honestly I think this is working I’ve..." + (show)
@donnajones

Where did you get the omega 6 healing cream? Honestly I think this is working I’ve been using it about 2x/day and the bruising on my arms looks better. I may try the Omega 6 because my hands seem permanently scarred from the bruising and dark. Thanks for the info.

Jump to this post

Thank you so much for this recommendation, I placed my order thru their website!!

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