Unexpected causes of bruises on your skin

Bruises don't just happen when you get hit. Here are some unexpected causes of bruises, according toHealth.

Blood thinners

Aside from trauma, blood thinners are the number one cause of bruising because they slow or reduce the blood's ability to clot. These medications are common and you may be taking them without knowing it. Fish oil, wine, and garlic can also act like blood thinners.

Other drugs

Steroids thin the blood, making users more susceptible to bruising even from minor injuries. Chemotherapy reduces the number of platelets that help blood clot, increasing the risk of bruising.

Aging

As we age, our blood vessels become more fragile. Even minor injuries can cause bleeding under the skin, resulting in bruises.

In addition, aging skin loses its fatty layer, which is also the reason for bruising. In the elderly, bruises often appear on the arms and hands, areas that are often exposed to the sun.

Vitamin deficiency

Easy bruising indicates a lack of vitamin K in the body. Not getting enough vitamin C can also cause bruising because vitamin C is involved in building blood vessel walls.

Genetics

Through genes, traits related to platelet count or blood clotting mechanisms are passed from generation to generation and cause children to bruise easily like their parents.

Cancer

In rare cases, bruising is a sign ofleukemia, bone marrow cancer or lymphoma. At this time, patients often have bleeding gums, fever, chills, night sweats, and accompanying bone pain.

Liver disease

The liver produces clotting factors. If this organ is damaged and there is a lack of proteins needed for clotting, you will bleed and bruise easily.

It is best to see a doctor immediately to ensure your health if you experience the following symptoms:

- Bruises are painful and swollen.

- Bruises that last for two weeks or more without changing.

- Multiple bruises combined with fever, chills, weight loss or any other systemic symptoms.

- Unexplained recurrent bruising.