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Any suggestions to help with blood bruising on arms?
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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I had bloodwork done as well, all came back normal. I don’t know of any other tests that your doctor can do for this issue. Wouldn’t hurt to ask I suppose. I saw a dermatologist and he said it’s skin thinning as we age. He told me to use Arnica cream/gel which I have been using, it helps heal bruises but no matter what I’ve tried nothing has prevented them. I recently purchased Dermend and thought I’d give it a try. Some of the ladies here have said to use it continuously to help prevent sever bruising. I’ll see if it helps. Your photo looks like the bruises I get. My skin also tears easily. I’ve shared a photo of how bad my arms have gotten at times, not pretty!
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8 ReactionsI have not heard of using arnica gel for bruising. I use it for muscle aches. I will try it on the bruises. Let me know if the dermend helps. My skin also tears easily.
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4 ReactionsI have the same problem!
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4 ReactionsHi I am 75 and have started bruising also. My dr said it’s not from the sun. It is actually your skin thinning as you age. He said to make sure I have enough vitamin C. I added it to my vitamins and it has worked. Try to see if maybe it can help you.
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2 Reactions@walk4life I also find arnica truly amazing for quickly healing bruising. I hope it works for you too.
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1 ReactionNever heard about vitamin C for bruising. I’ve taken vitiman C for several years but unfortunately it doesn’t seem to help with my bruising. I’m happy for you that it helps! Whatever works!
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1 ReactionWith all of the Omega-3 oils in foods we buy, it’s easy to eat too much. Omega-3 oils slow clotting time so it’s easier to bleed under the skin. Taking baby aspirin (or one regular aspirin) plus eating Omega-3 oils doubly slows clotting time in skin.
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1 ReactionMy spouse takes B12 as well. It seems his skin is so thin and he is on a blood thinner. I just keep a first aid kit in the car and one in the bathroom. My spouse sometimes stumbles and falls or barely touches something and he starts to bleed. Sometimes he looks like he has been in a fight. Unfortunately bandages and bandaids are everywhere! I took several off of his arm, hand and finger's yesterday. He is frustrated and tired of his illness! I try to be positive and sometimes he forgets and starts laughing about something funny! I make sure his skin is well kept! One less thing for him to worry about. Hugs to all.
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