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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gravity3 | @gravity3 | Jul 24 8:25pm

In reply to @aethos "@gravity3 testosterone and estrogen for me, no progesterone as I don’t have a uterus." + (show)

@aethos

This issue of yes or no to including progesterone with hrt/bhrt for women with no uterus is an interesting one. I don't have a uterus and I do take progesterone as part of my bhrt.
It seems to be getting lots of attention right now. It would be a great topic to introduce to these discussions.
Yet another thing to wonder about....sigh!
https://www.truveta.com/blog/research/progesterone-containing-hormone-replacement-therapy-use-is-rising/

ion | @ion | Jul 25 2:15am

You are exactly my story,plenty of sun,water sports etc,now my arms get easily bruised at every table ,chair touch,the dog ripped ( playing) a lot of skin from my forearm,doing the gardening is a scary job now.
I tried a lot of lotions,sunscreen (!),seen a dermatologist but I’ve been unsuccessful!
It’s ugly but I have to cope !

aethos | @aethos | Jul 25 10:37am

In reply to @gravity3 "@aethos This issue of yes or no to including progesterone with hrt/bhrt for women with no..." + (show)

@gravity3 yes I would like to know what the benefit of adding progesterone would be. I will ask my functional doctor next time what he knows.

gravity3 | @gravity3 | Jul 25 12:22pm

In reply to @aethos "@gravity3 yes I would like to know what the benefit of adding progesterone would be. I..." + (show)

@aethos

I use a functional medicine provider as well. Could you post what you learn? Thanks

howardrlewis | @howardrlewis | Jul 26 7:51am

Hi, I don't have as much of a problem as you have described but I have had the same issues. I use Cortizone -10 on my arms and that seems to help heal any scratch and also to hydrate my skin.

gailmwilliams49 | @gailmwilliams49 | Jul 26 9:45am

I use Arnica gel on my arms , Am & PM.it also comes in tablet form, for pre surgical tx uses or more severe bruising with swelling. Put ice on area ASAP, helps stop the internal bleeding and swelling. I try to avoid NSAIDS and read medication labels for side effects and interactions. Used to bring in several bags groceries , strung on my arms, no more. Even my purse or bracelets will cause bruises. I’m also an avid gardener, have had to cut back and let the landscapers do most of it. Lots of thin fabric, long sleeve tops. 😂

mabfp3 | @mabfp3 | Jul 26 1:14pm

In reply to @ion "You are exactly my story,plenty of sun,water sports etc,now my arms get easily bruised at every..." + (show)

@ion Same with me! Nothing seems to help and I’ve tried everything!

laurabamford4015 | @laurabamford4015 | Jul 26 9:17pm

In reply to @gailmwilliams49 "I use Arnica gel on my arms , Am & PM.it also comes in tablet form,..." + (show)

@gailmwilliams49
Arnica did not diminish my blood bruises at all!

leighton | @leighton | Jul 28 8:19am

In reply to @laurabamford4015 "@gailmwilliams49 Arnica did not diminish my blood bruises at all!" + (show)

@laurabamford4015 I tried that once. It seemed to make the mark fade more slowly.

leighton | @leighton | Jul 28 8:23am

Try Retinol. I found some L'OREAL 100% retinol in the groery store. I use it a couple times a week and it helps. It requires a derm prescription in the USA.