What Does It Mean When Your Skin Bleeds Easily

People often bruise more easily as they get older. Bleeding happens when blood vessels are broken because of an injury, but it can also be a normal part of life. For example, women bleed during their period. Some women naturally have heavier periods than others.

A decrease in blood clotting factors usually causes bleeding and bruising. Defects in blood vessels usually cause red or purple spots and patches on the skin, rather than bleeding. Most commonly, easy or excessive bruising occurs because the skin and blood vessels are fragile.

Easy bleeding refers to an abnormal decrease in the ability for blood to clot. This bleeding may occur in the form of nosebleeds, stool or urine with blood in it, change in menstruation or bleeding from the gums. Typically, the bleeding is caused by low platelet level in the blood, making clotting more difficult.

A person should seek medical attention any time they have the following symptoms or issues associated with bruising: a suspected broken bone. loss of function of a joint, limb or muscle. increasing pain. an area is affected by a bruise that returns. there is no identifiable cause of the bruising.

Easy bleeding can be a side effect caused by: certain medications such as ibuprofen, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), blood thinners, and blood clot-preventing medicines. anemia (low red blood cell count in blood) hemophilia or trouble clotting blood. thrombocytopenia (low platelet levels) liver disease.

Bruises without injuries can be caused by thinning of the skin which could be caused by a number of factors. Some medication when taken for too long could lead to bruising without injuries. Aspirin is one such drug. It leads to coagulation changes which then lead to spontaneous hematoma.

Blood Diseases. Multiple blood diseases can cause easy bruising, including hemophilia (inability of blood to clot), blood poisoning, liver disease, kidney disease, or cancer. There should be concerned if the legs (or another part of the body) bruise easily and there are other symptoms or multiple bruises.

Cirrhosis and other liver diseases slowly undermine liver function. As liver disease progresses, the liver may stop producing the proteins that help the blood clot. As a result, a person may experience excessive bleeding and easy bruising.

When taking blood thinners or anticoagulants, make sure you stay alert and keep a watchful eye out for these symptoms of internal bleeding problems: Black or tarry-appearing stools. Orange, pink, or smoke-colored urine. Abnormal and sometimes profuse bleeding. Excessive bruising. Blood shot eyes. Stomach pain. Muscle aches. Intense headaches.