Any suggestions to help with blood bruising on arms?

Posted by anne4u @anne4u, Jun 22 2:16pm

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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westcom | @westcom | Jun 22 2:37pm

I have the same issue and people constantly ask me if I’m on blood thinners. My dermatologist suggested bruise creams but said just thin skin due to aging ( I’m 76). I attribute some to genetics as my father’s arms looked like mine and recent exacerbation due to prednisone I’m taking for a recently diagnosed auto immune disease.

Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Jun 22 2:49pm

@anne4u Ya gotta admit, these picturesque bruises are real conversation starters, though, right!? I am prone to them also. From what I can gather, here are some of the factors involved: genetics [I am Irish, northern European descent], medications and their side effects, health conditions [I have several auto immune], use of quality sunscreens, exposure time outside. It is uncomfortable to be out in beautiful weather, wearing short sleeves, as my bruises show up.

Three weeks ago I had a run-in with the screen door [it won]. The resulting wound should probably had stitches, but everything is healed up now, and proud flesh where the 3 layers of skin had been. Good, right? Yesterday I am back to square one after missing a step-down on the back porch. Almost exact same location as before, for the new wound/bruise on my arm. Sigh.....
Ginger

celia16 | @celia16 | Jun 22 5:32pm

I wished I had talked withmy primary more about it. I mentioned it several times to my dermatologist and she said, thin skin….aging…Huh! I had blue spots appear on my feet and arms, out of nowhere. Well, I can’t say exactly what caused them, but I wish I had a Vitamin B12 test back then. I’m very deficient. Now on treatment. Get test before you start taking it. It can be a symptom, but other things can cause it too, like covid. Had that too. So, I’d get full array of tests with primary.

pb50 | @pb50 | Jun 22 5:41pm

I take B12 supplements and level is fine. My Mom had them and I have them. I’m a brown-eye redhead of Irish ancestry,
So fair fair skin that is now also thin. I’ve asked primary, dermatology and my rheumatologist (in case it’s related to medication). Nothing to do.
I wear band aids occasionally, depending on location. But I'm wearing long sleeve oversized shirts more.

walk4life | @walk4life | Jun 23 8:28am

I have the same problem on my arms. My primary did a CBC (mostly to check platelets) and all was normal. She basically said the same thing - aging skin and wasn’t concerned about it.. Now my cardiologist has told me to take a low dose aspirin everyday for stroke prevention and i think that will make the problem on my arms worse. I take Vitamin D3 and oral B12. I have a history of anemia and developed it after hip replacement in 2023. I was on iron for several months, but those levels are back in a normal range. I may go back on the iron to see if that helps. I have also bee using steroid and anti inflammatory eye drops for several months due to recurring uveitis. I can’t seem to find definitive information on systemic side effects of the steroid eye drops.Getting old is not for sissies!

elknc | @elknc | Jun 23 8:30am

Helichrysum oil supposedly is good. I haven't tried it though.

1942marilyne. Marilyn McFarland | @1942marilyne | Jun 23 8:35am

Mine caused by heart medication. When too much blood I skip low dose asa for a few days then go back to one a day until happens again

maggieb892 | @maggieb892 | Jun 23 9:22am

Isn't aging grand? So many pieces and parts begin to weaken or fail and we still go on.

covidstinks2023 | @covidstinks2023 | Jun 23 9:24am

Hey There! I developed these a couple years ago. Our skin gets thinner as we age and we lose fat that cushions the blood vessels. Every little bump that I have, becomes a bruise. Mine is especially the worst on my arms and hands. It takes them a while to go away too. I like you went to the Dermatologist and she said it was nothing. I have used the bruise cream and I can't really take a huge difference.

I tell you what helps cover it....the blemish sticks by Maybelline that you cover dark circles under your eyes. I put lotion on and then dab a little on the bruises and you can barely see them.

I hope this helps. Blessings & Hugs....

esque | @esque | Jun 23 9:32am

There are several things that can cause the bruising. Mine started in college when I was taking aspirin for headaches and period pains. When I had to have surgery at age 19, I was told never to take aspirin again due to it causeing a delayed clotting factor in me. Switched to ibuprofen and alive with no issues for many years. After a blood clot in my leg (provoked by a spinal during labor) they gave me warfarin. I hemorrhaged. At menopause time I hemorrhaged yet again a couple of times. Years later I find out I have factor V Leiden… a genetic disorder that causes blood clots! I question how I can possibly be a clotter and a bleeder at the same time. After a TIA recently I am put on Plavix and Aspirin. Needless to say that caused serious bruises and I also ended up allergic to Plavix. Now they did a genetic study because I have allergies to lots of meds. Turns out I have a genetic disorder processing vitamin K…that causes bleeding and requires much lower doses of anti clotting meds. At age 70 I finally know how you can be a bleeder and a Clotter at the same time.