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Any suggestions to help with blood bruising on arms?

Posted by anne4u @anne4u, Jun 22, 2024

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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1995victoria | @1995victoria | Dec 21, 2024

I take a Vitamin C supplement for this problem, who knows, not too much, but maybe can help, couldn't hurt I don't think

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1 reply
westcom | @westcom | Dec 21, 2024

I sympathize with you and found out the hard way about waterproof bandages. They just appear and I have no idea what I did. Please let us know if Vitamin K helps. You’re young to have this start; I was about 72. My father’s arms looked like mine now.

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1995victoria | @1995victoria | Dec 21, 2024

I found this on internet to support what I said before about Vitamin C.

This essential nutrient helps to build up collagen - a protein that gives structure and strength to your blood vessels. Without enough vitamin C, your blood vessels become weak and vulnerable.
Understanding Endothelial Cells and Their Importance

Endothelial cells line every blood vessel in your body, from the big arteries to the tiny capillaries.

They help to regulate blood flow, prevent clotting, and keep your immune system in check. They ensure that your circulatory system runs smoothly.

But when these cells get damaged or start acting up, it can cause problems for your heart and circulatory system.

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ollie2018 | @ollie2018 | Dec 21, 2024

I am 63 and have noticed more bruising, also. Sometimes, I have no idea what I have done to cause them! My husband has skin tears- he is a very active 67 year old farmer- so pretty hard on his body! Just take care not to get an infection and bandaids are too hard on the skin. Use the elastic type of wound care to prevent disturbing the healing process! Sunscreen is a must and long sleeves when wking outside. My issues are also connective tissue issues which I will address to my PA in January! Always something new popping up!!!! Isn’t ageing a joy🙃

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Marilyn McFarland | @1942marilyne | Dec 22, 2024
In reply to @lposey66 "Oh my I have these awful things all over my forearms and hands. I’ve done all..." + (show)
@lposey66

Oh my I have these awful things all over my forearms and hands.
I’ve done all the usual stuff and it seems all I have to do is look at my arms wrong and a bruise will appear. I bumped my arm and the skin tore so I put a band aid on it and be careful you don’t use strong waterproof band aids I did and when I removed the band aid the skin on both side came off with the sticky tape it was sooo bad!!! Much worse than the original tear! I have taken the dissolvable arnica tablets and that has been the only thing that helped a little I have read vitamin K will help and that’s next on my list with IV infusions with doctor approval of course, but I’m noticing now that the more I work with my arms in any way I wake up with a bunch of them don’t even have to bang on anything they are hideous I’ve also done all the topical stuff to no avail and asking basically every doctor I see for advise but always the same just age I’m only 58 and my mother has none at all no other women in my family so not sure on that how I got so lucky guess it must be fathers side if hereditary at all??

Jump to this post

Cardio doctor reduced baby aspirin to 2 times a week. Ask your doctor

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anne4u | @anne4u | Dec 22, 2024
In reply to @1995victoria "I take a Vitamin C supplement for this problem, who knows, not too much, but maybe..." + (show)
@1995victoria

I take a Vitamin C supplement for this problem, who knows, not too much, but maybe can help, couldn't hurt I don't think

Jump to this post

I’ve been taking a good vitamin c supplement for a few years now. After all the tips on anti bruise creams, etc. I’m trying some. Arnica gel seems to help me the most. It’s a slow healing process no matter what I use!

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1 reply
aethos | @aethos | Dec 22, 2024

I have this condition too and read that steroid injections can cause this. As I have severe degenerative disks in lower back I have been getting injections on both sides of my back for about a year and I think my arms have looked worse for the past year.

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2 replies
1995victoria | @1995victoria | Dec 22, 2024
In reply to @anne4u "I’ve been taking a good vitamin c supplement for a few years now. After all the..." + (show)
@anne4u

I’ve been taking a good vitamin c supplement for a few years now. After all the tips on anti bruise creams, etc. I’m trying some. Arnica gel seems to help me the most. It’s a slow healing process no matter what I use!

Jump to this post

I've used arnica for muscle ache/pain

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fmmartinez58 | @fmmartinez58 | Dec 23, 2024
In reply to @aethos "I have this condition too and read that steroid injections can cause this. As I have..." + (show)
@aethos

I have this condition too and read that steroid injections can cause this. As I have severe degenerative disks in lower back I have been getting injections on both sides of my back for about a year and I think my arms have looked worse for the past year.

Jump to this post

My arms look horrible. People ask me what I did to myself. Arnica has been suggested. I will try it. Any other suggestions?

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1 reply
anne4u | @anne4u | Dec 24, 2024
In reply to @aethos "I have this condition too and read that steroid injections can cause this. As I have..." + (show)
@aethos

I have this condition too and read that steroid injections can cause this. As I have severe degenerative disks in lower back I have been getting injections on both sides of my back for about a year and I think my arms have looked worse for the past year.

Jump to this post

I get lumbar back injections too, for two years now. Just about the time the bruising started happening.

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