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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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roslynroslyn | @roslynroslyn | Aug 8, 2025

I inherited this problem from my late mom. A bubble could be the answer but not reasonable. My arms are covered. I don’t let it stop me.
My legs (shins) are far worse. No healing there, just dried blood under the skin. It’s ugly but I’ve learnt to live with it!

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woondogger | @woondogger | Aug 8, 2025
In reply to @vivi75 "Hubby has been faithfully using the Helichrysum essential oil for about a month and his arms..." + (show)
Profile picture for vivi75 @vivi75

Hubby has been faithfully using the Helichrysum essential oil for about a month and his arms look so much better! The skin is now smooth and soft and when he does bump his arm and gets a bruise, the healing time is so much quicker. I use fractionated coconut oil as the carrier and here's the formula that was taken from their website:

"A common ratio for diluting Helichrysum essential oil in fractionated coconut oil is a 2-3% dilution, according to Nomad Botanicals. This means you would use 2-3 drops of Helichrysum essential oil for every teaspoon of fractionated coconut oil, or 12-18 drops per ounce of carrier oil, according to Eden Botanicals.
More Details:
1% Dilution:
For sensitive skin or when starting, you can use a 1% dilution, which is about 6 drops per ounce of carrier oil, says Wyndmere Naturals.
2-3% Dilution:
This is a general guideline for most adults and is a safe and effective dilution for topical application."

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Thank you so much for the Helichrysum info!!!!!!

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pht1123 | @pht1123 | Aug 9, 2025

I can relate, as I get blood bruising on my arms - without any injury. I have sometimes even gotten on my chest. These are different from the "black and blue" marks one gets from a bang or other trauma. I get this from steroids I use for asthma. Even a small bang will give me a large bruise. It can take weeks to heal. However, I have found 2 different creams which have been helpful. It speeds up the healing. I am in no way advertising or get commission from making this suggestion.

I have found that Arnica in a cream is helpful. I used to use DerMend which is a moisturizing bruise cream. It works well, and has good ingredients and has no fragrance.
The other cream that I use is Arnicare Bruise Cream. I have found this to be more helpful, not oily, and fragrance free, too. It is less expensive than the DerMend and both can be gotten from Amazon.

Good luck and I hope this is helpful. I have recommended this to my friend who also gets blood bruises. She has found that either cream helps as well.

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slowrunner1 | @slowrunner1 | Aug 9, 2025
In reply to @roslynroslyn "I inherited this problem from my late mom. A bubble could be the answer but not..." + (show)
Profile picture for roslynroslyn @roslynroslyn

I inherited this problem from my late mom. A bubble could be the answer but not reasonable. My arms are covered. I don’t let it stop me.
My legs (shins) are far worse. No healing there, just dried blood under the skin. It’s ugly but I’ve learnt to live with it!

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That's the ticket! Push on! Go for it! Over the top! Check out "High Hopes" by Frank Sinatra.

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elisatexas | @elisatexas | Aug 9, 2025

Have you asked your primary care doctor about this? If he/she cannot help you, ask your doctor for a referral to a specialist who will.

Also, you can see a different dermatologist. Look for reviews for dermatologist online to see how others liked/disliked them.

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the | @the | Aug 9, 2025
In reply to @roslynroslyn "I inherited this problem from my late mom. A bubble could be the answer but not..." + (show)
Profile picture for roslynroslyn @roslynroslyn

I inherited this problem from my late mom. A bubble could be the answer but not reasonable. My arms are covered. I don’t let it stop me.
My legs (shins) are far worse. No healing there, just dried blood under the skin. It’s ugly but I’ve learnt to live with it!

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I use Dermend, works well. It’s on Amazon. Dermatologist don’t treat this since it is not a skin issue. It’s a vascular issue.

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hellopam | @hellopam | Aug 9, 2025

First, 65 is not old! Second, Arnicare comes in a roll-on version on Amazon that is just easier to apply and less wasteful than the tube. Just sayin'...

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dhanke | @dhanke | Aug 9, 2025
In reply to @woondogger "Thank you so much for the Helichrysum info!!!!!!" + (show)
Profile picture for woondogger @woondogger

Thank you so much for the Helichrysum info!!!!!!

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I use Helichrysum essential oil. It’s an amazing product that works. Most dilute it, however, I’m able to use full strength. I would dilute it if you are just starting out or have sensitive skin.

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roslynroslyn | @roslynroslyn | Aug 9, 2025
In reply to @the "I use Dermend, works well. It’s on Amazon. Dermatologist don’t treat this since it is not..." + (show)
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I use Dermend, works well. It’s on Amazon. Dermatologist don’t treat this since it is not a skin issue. It’s a vascular issue.

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Neither My dermo or cardio called it vascular BUT my rheumatologist said I have vascular issues. I agree with you. Vascular!

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pht1123 | @pht1123 | Aug 9, 2025
In reply to @hellopam "First, 65 is not old! Second, Arnicare comes in a roll-on version on Amazon that is..." + (show)
Profile picture for hellopam @hellopam

First, 65 is not old! Second, Arnicare comes in a roll-on version on Amazon that is just easier to apply and less wasteful than the tube. Just sayin'...

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Thanks. I did not know there is a roll-on version.

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