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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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Do you take any anti-inflammatories or blood thinners? I know my ibuprofen, if I need to take more for my pain, increases bruising. It doesn’t so much cause the bruise as make it look worse. (Thins blood)
Oops, missed that you already know about ibuprofen. I’d ask your doctor then.
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1 ReactionCan you see a hematologist?
I've stopped using ibupropin and started taking vitamin C. I also use arnica oil.
Is anyone familiar with Bio-oil, toothpaste or tea bags? Is this stuff just silly or can it really work?
I have capillary fragility due to long term prednisone. any suggestions
I am 74 and blood bruises almost cover my arms and hands. A nutritionist told me that Vitamin B12 helps decrease appearances so I take that daily with my PCP's blessings. I can't tell any difference and like you, I continue to use lotions and moisturizer and just being a little more careful.
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1 ReactionIn case anyone is interested, my husband and I participated in this study. The guy doing it is a dermatologist and can answer questions as well, at the end of your participation. You can email, text or call him. He’s very nice.
Have you discussed this with your primary care physician? There are diseases that can cause bruising.
Prednisone is likely the cause. Ruined my skin and I looked like an accident victim. Also thinned my hands and arms skin.
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1 ReactionI too started getting them. And the ibuprofen is definitely the issue also my dermatologist diagnosed me with what is called solar papura so if you spend a lot of time in the sun when you were young your skin doesn't have enough collagen. What works the best for me is using arnica Gel it heals and also vitamin C8 500 mg big difference using that they pretty much clear up well. I also had to switch to Tylenol arthritis. I know it's very frustrating and it makes you feel horrible mine started at 63 I am now 67. If you go on Amazon you can get Sun Sleeves which I got a pair for summer I will put them on when I go swimming in the pool and I really don't care what people think. You can also just get the sleeve for your forearm check it out. You will be okay the other cream you could use at bedtime is retinol if your doctor won't give you a script you can get it at the pharmacy.
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