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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grandmira | @grandmira | Jul 22 10:44am

In reply to @westcom "I have the same issue and people constantly ask me if I’m on blood thinners. My..." + (show)

@westcom hello just to comment on bruising, I’m 74 and it is a recent “thing”. I was recently at a woodlot walking in the woods and banged my arm several times, looked like I was in the ring with Mohamed Ali, just kidding. Thinning of the skin with age has a lot to do with it, mine are fading after a week.

Becky, Volunteer Mentor | @becsbuddy | Jul 22 10:43pm

Hello, all. The blood bruising is most probably due to thinning skin as we age, and less supporting tissue underneath. With thinning skin, we also get thinning of the blood vessel walls. I have several on my arms that were bright red a week ago. Fading now! Arm guards would be a good idea, except it’s too darn hot here in Colorado!

dianaml | @dianaml | Jul 23 8:41am

In reply to @grandmira "@westcom hello just to comment on bruising, I’m 74 and it is a recent “thing”. I..." + (show)

@grandmira
Oh I can relate! I am almost 80 and this has been happening for a couple of years now. Yes it is from thin skin. It happens to me a lot from gardening or just bumping into something. I guess we just have to be more careful LOL!

mabfp3 | @mabfp3 | Jul 23 4:49pm

In reply to @onepinkmom "I use lavender oil straight onto it and it starts to disintegrate!" + (show)

@onepinkmom Thak you! What is the brand oil that you use?

laurabamford4015 | @laurabamford4015 | Jul 23 9:22pm

Are you eating 70+ grams of protein à day? Helps with collagen production I was told. My dermatologist said to load up on skin cream. Nothing so far has helped my skin. Someone recommended arnica so I’m testing it out. I should just wrap my body in bubble wrap!

gravity3 | @gravity3 | Jul 24 3:53am

In reply to @laurabamford4015 "Are you eating 70+ grams of protein à day? Helps with collagen production I was told...." + (show)

@laurabamford4015

I am still interested in knowing if any of you are on hrt/bhrt and still getting purpura?

laurabamford4015 | @laurabamford4015 | Jul 24 6:36am

In reply to @gravity3 "@laurabamford4015 I am still interested in knowing if any of you are on hrt/bhrt and still..." + (show)

No I’m not.

aethos | @aethos | Jul 24 8:57am

In reply to @gravity3 "@laurabamford4015 I am still interested in knowing if any of you are on hrt/bhrt and still..." + (show)

@gravity3 I am on HRT and I still get bruising. I have been using a biote pellet for five years or so and the arm bruising started about one year ago. I am 72.