Connect
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
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Aging Well Support Group.
Connect
@seidholz
What is Supre H, please
@mlr12 it is a bee venum based bruise cream
It works really well
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsI had PDT (photo dynamic therapy) on my arms a few times for actinic keratisis. I've had many types of skin cancers for over 40 years. The PDT caused hyperpigmentation. This along with the bruises and easy cuts and tears makes me very self conscious. I've also had those flesh colored bumps all over my body. When I see any of these conditions on other people, I don't judge it as I do on my own so I guess it's my perception and vanity? I see people that are really overweight, have sagging or wrinkly skin or whatever disfigurements and they're wearing short sleeves and shorts and I envy them for not caring about out what parts of their body is showing; they're just going for the comfort I guess. It's a mindset that at my age of 76, the " it's all about beauty" has been ingrained too long.
This is a seque but it all conbects:
It also didn't help to be married for 52 years to a man who always complimented me on my looks-hair, makeup, body-but not on my mind. Anyway what I'm getting at is that we are what we think so "change your life, change your mind". I made the decision 6 months ago after finally realizing that I was married to a narcissist that this marriage was definitely not helping my attitude, my self esteem and definitely not my mental health. We're separated and life is better now. I don't know what the future will bring but I know what it'd be like if I kept living in my fantasy world.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
4 Reactions@seidholz
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI too am using bee venom cream….. it is definitely working.
You might want to consider Lichen Planus or Lichenoid Drug Eruption.
I feel badly for you and know firsthand what you are going through. I am on a prescription medicine that causes extremely easy bruising, and the same things happen to me. The damaged skin takes months to heal and bruises do too. Nothing I have tried works, and I read that bee venom can be made of things that are bad for you so be careful what you buy. I would love to find something that is safe and really works to help heal bruises faster.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@califirniagal
I can relate to your frustration! I started using Arnica gel and I notice bruises heal faster. My dermatologist recommended it. I found some on Amazon made by DuLac and the label says arnica gel 98%. It does help my bruises go away faster. I use it primarily on my arms but my legs have some bruising too. Definitely worth a try! It’s important to use it regularly while healing bruising.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI'm 75 and have the same issue. A nutritionist told me to take Vitamin B12 and that seems to help reduce the severity. Like you, the slightest pressure will cause an immediate bruise, especially on my hands and forearms! I don't know if there is anything for this or if it's just a factor in our "maturing".
Thanks everyone. My mom had them and i thought they were caused by Vit C deficiency. My Mom did not like Citrus. 10 years later, breast cancer, chemo, drugs, blood clots and blood thinner and a bone marrow transplant.
Which of these or which drug? Today i have them all over my right arm. Yikes! They lessen in a week and as has been said I get them knocking into things, gardening and carry heavy bags on that arm.
I must say i just go about my business. Rarely have people inquired on my very bruised forearm. I am 65.