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16 hours ago
- Health
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5 Reasons You Get Random Bruises and When to See a Doctor
Ramming a shin into a coffee table. Bumping a knee into that rod under your desk. Taking a tumble off a bike. These things tend to hurt like [redacted], so you probably won't be surprised when you wind up with a gnarly bruise after. The force of the trauma breaks some blood vessels under the skin, which spill their contents, leading to a splotch that usually appears pink, red, purple, brown, or black, Kathleen Mueller, MD, the system director for integrative medicine and cancer survivorship at Nuvance, a Connecticut-based health system, and member of the board of directors of the American Academy of Family Physicians, tells SELF. But sometimes, the origin of a bruise is less obvious—say, your eye catches a mysterious discolored blotch on a part of your body you don't recall injuring. Getting random bruises can be unsettling, particularly if it's happening more often or they're big and ghastly. But it's pretty common: Research suggests about one in five people may have a genetic tendency for easy bruising that isn't harmful, Sarah Young, MD, a board-certified oncologist and hematologist at Orlando Health Cancer Institute, tells SELF. That said, frequent, unexplained bruising can also be a sign of an underlying health condition interfering with the integrity of your blood or blood vessels. So how can you suss out whether your bruising is NBD or cause for concern? Read on to learn what typically causes random bruises, when it's worth seeing a doctor, and how to keep your personal Halloween horror show at bay. Plenty of everyday lifestyle factors can cause you to get seemingly random bruises or to bruise more easily. You have a change in your life—and you're not as aware of bumps and bangs. The most likely scenario is that you're one of those people who has a natural genetic inclination to bruise more easily, and a life change has caused that tendency to reveal itself, Dr. Young says. For instance, maybe you've switched up your workout routine, or you have a new pet running around your home, or something else has made it easier for you to rack up little bumps and shoves throughout the day. You might not notice these occasional hits, or they may not register as painful, Dr. Mueller says. So the resulting bruises could very well seem like they came out of nowhere. Also worth noting: Some bruises from everyday injuries might not appear in the exact spot where you made contact with that errant door or side table or small child. That's just because of gravity, which can cause the blood spillage to sink, Dr. Mueller says. For instance, if you smack your knee, you could wind up with bruising on your shin; and a bump to the forehead can cause a black eye. Your skin is going through the natural changes of aging. Good ol' 'getting older' strikes again: When your skin starts to thin out in your 40s, 50s, and beyond, you might notice an uptick in bruising. That's because the tiny blood vessels under the skin are less protected and in turn, more exposed to any kind of trauma, Dr. Mueller says. Where little everyday bumps to the arms and legs might not previously have left a mark, you could find that they increasingly cause bruises as you age. You're on a medication that makes you more susceptible to bruising. Certain drugs are more obvious culprits here, like any form of blood thinner. The point of these meds is to prevent certain clots, but that can up your risk of bruising and bleeding, too. These include anticoagulants like Xarelto (rivaroxaban) and Coumadin (warfarin), which block aspects of the clotting process, as well as antiplatelets like aspirin and Plavix (clopidogrel), which keep platelets from gelling together. The former are generally prescribed for daily long-term use in folks who've had a deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, and the latter, for people who've had a heart attack or stroke. But even taking aspirin often for pain—or, for that matter, any other OTC non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), like Advil (ibuprofen) or Aleve (naproxen)—could make you more likely to bruise if you're sensitive to its effects on the blood, Dr. Mueller says. A few other medications can also cause bruises to rear their head more frequently, including corticosteroids like prednisone (taken for conditions such as asthma, arthritis, and autoimmune diseases), which can make skin thinner and more fragile, Dr. Young points out. Some antidepressants (including common SSRIs like Prozac and Zoloft) can also raise your risk of bleeding and bruising, she adds, because of their effects on platelets. You've changed your diet or alcohol consumption as of late. Drinking alcohol comes with its fair share of well-known health warnings—it can mess with your cognitive function, wreak havoc on your liver, and up your risk for heart disease and cancer. But in some cases, alcohol use over time can also make you bruise more readily for a few different reasons, Dr. Young says. It can damage your bone marrow, affecting its ability to pump out enough platelets, and long-term, it can also interfere with your liver's production of certain proteins that help prevent bleeding. In the food realm, a dropoff in vitamin C intake could also increase your odds of easy bruising, Dr. Young adds. (Though deficiency is uncommon in developed countries like the US.) This vitamin is critical to the formation of collagen, which doesn't just give your skin bounce; it plumps and strengthens your blood vessels, too. Without enough, they could be more prone to breakage and spillage. Cue: random bruises. In rare cases, an underlying health condition could also prompt out-of-the-blue or frequent bruising. There are a couple categories of conditions that can manifest with random bruising—though they typically surface with other blood-related symptoms, like heavy periods, frequent or lasting nosebleeds, bloody pee or poop, and excess bleeding from minor cuts. One group consists of things you're born with, like various bleeding disorders. These include genetic conditions (such as Von Willibrand Disease, Hemophilia A, and Hemophilia B) wherein your body doesn't make enough of one of the proteins necessary for your blood to clot effectively, Dr. Mueller says. There are also inherited disorders involving too few or defective platelets, which then can't stick together and plug up broken blood vessels. All of these typically show up during childhood, but milder forms might stay hidden into adulthood, Dr. Young points out. The other category of conditions are things you can develop as an adult. In rare scenarios, you could acquire a bleeding disorder—which can happen when your immune system mistakenly attacks certain clotting factors or even platelets. It's also unlikely but possible for an uptick in bruising to signal a form of liver disease, Dr. Mueller notes, given that the liver is responsible for producing many blood-clotting proteins. Though in this case you'd almost certainly have other signs of liver issues (like yellowing of your skin, severe itching, leg swelling, and belly pain). And finally, lots of random bruising can be a sign of a blood cancer like lymphoma or leukemia, Dr. Young says, since these can tamper with the creation and function of platelets. But she'd mainly be worried about that if you were also having other blood-cancer symptoms like the excessive bleeding noted above, as well as unexplained weight loss, fevers, and swollen lymph nodes. When you should see a doctor for spontaneous bruises Rest assured that most bruising isn't cause for concern—even if you don't recall exactly when you might've acquired said bruise. If you feel like you've always bruised easily and you don't have any other symptoms, you're probably in the clear, Dr. Young says. It's also a good sign if your splotches tend to disappear within two weeks, Dr. Mueller says: 'The color usually goes from red [or brown or black, depending on your skin tone] to purple to a little bit bluish to green and finally to yellow,' as your body breaks down the spilled blood and reabsorbs it. There are a few scenarios, however, when random bruises could warrant investigation by your doctor. A big one is if your bruising is occurring on your belly, back, chest, or face, Dr. Young says. These aren't typically areas that you'd bang or bump without noticing it. Spontaneous marks in these regions are more likely to signal something nefarious. Other red flags include a relentless stream of bruises or ones that linger longer than two weeks, Dr. Mueller notes. Also look out for any form of excessive bleeding—like bleeding from your gums when you brush your teeth, prolonged nosebleeds, extra-heavy periods, and blood in your urine or stool—as well as tiny red, purple, or brown dots on your arms or legs called petechiae, which signal little bleeds below the skin, Dr. Young says. And finally, she adds, pay attention to other changes throughout your body, for instance unexplained weight loss, fevers, or swelling. Coupled with random or easy bruising, any new-to-you symptoms or discomfort is plenty of reason to pay your doctor a visit. Your provider will typically be able to suss out the cause of your bruising with a rundown of your medical history (including the medications you're currently taking) and a physical exam, Dr. Mueller says. If they're suspicious of an underlying bleeding disorder or other health condition, they may also do some routine blood work, which includes a count of your platelets. Again, the chances are low that anything turns up abnormal—but if it does, they'll likely refer you to a hematologist, hepatologist (liver doctor), or oncologist, who can work you up further and figure out a treatment plan. There are also a few things you can do in the meantime to reduce your chances of bruising and help the spots heal. The occasional accident—shin to the coffee table, hip to the doorknob—is inevitable, as are the minor hits and jabs of everyday life, so you probably can't prevent bruises entirely. But moving a bit more slowly through the world can help you become more aware of your surroundings and better navigate around obstacles, Dr. Young says. It's also worth clearing up any trip hazards in your space, Dr. Mueller points out, like random clutter on the floor, errant cords, or area rugs that tend to slip and slide. After all, falling is bound to leave you with some sort of bruise…even if you fall in an ideal way to avoid a worse injury. Strength training and balance-boosting workouts (like tai chi and yoga) can also help you better avoid the kinds of trips and tumbles that are sure to leave a mark. And if you feel especially clumsy or uncoordinated? Dr. Mueller suggests physical therapy to help address any issues with your gait and improve your core strength. If you're looking to clear up a bruise you're already rockin', apply a warm compress to it, Dr. Mueller says. The heat can help increase blood flow to the area and clear away some of the byproducts that can crop up as your body reabsorbs the leaked blood. She also recommends very gently rubbing the skin over the bruise (if it isn't incredibly painful) as the physical motion can 'break up some of the leftover blood and facilitate the healthy tissue getting rid of it.' But ultimately, there isn't anything you have to do to heal a bruise beyond practicing patience. Our bodies are designed to resolve the issue with time, Dr. Mueller says: 'They're pretty miraculous that way.' Related: 7 Period Problems You Shouldn't Ignore What to Do When Your Fingernail Gets Bruised (or Falls Off) How to Know If Bleeding During or After Sex Is Normal—and When to Call Your Doctor Get more of SELF's great service journalism delivered right to your inbox. Originally Appeared on Self
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Doctors Say This Is the Best Seat on a Plane to Avoid Getting Sick
There's a reason everyone freaked out about riding on airplanes during the pandemic: it's an easy way to get sick if you don't take precautions. 'Airline carriers are impressive carriers of the common cold,' says Anthony Ognjan, D.O., FACP., a board-certified osteopathic physician specializing in infectious diseases. The good news is you can greatly reduce your risk of getting sick during a flight — and no, you don't need to travel in a bubble. Just follow the tips below from board-certified physicians. What makes it so easy to get sick during a flight? For starters, when you're on a plane, you're stuck in an enclosed space with quite a few people. 'On most commercial airplanes, there are a lot of people in close proximity for an extended period of time,' says Kathleen N. Mueller, M.D., FAAFP, the director of the American Academy of Family Physicians. 'We know that respiratory droplets that come from a cough or sneeze are one of the most common ways to contract an illness like influenza or COVID-19 and with that many people in an enclosed space, you may find yourself exposed more frequently than you would in other situations.' On top of that, airplane environments are like paradise for illness-causing bacteria and viruses. 'The air inside airplane cabins is notoriously dry with humidity levels often dropping below 20%, significantly lower than what your body is used to,' says Ognjan. 'For comparison, most homes maintain humidity levels between 30 and 60%. Low levels of humidity can affect the body's natural defense system, including mucus in the nose and your throat drying up, creating a much more tolerant environment for germs.' Simply put, flights create a perfect storm for spreading germs: lots of people contained in an area with low humidity. Fortunately, there are a few simple steps you can take to offset those risks and avoid getting sick when you're flying. What can you do to prevent contracting an illness on an airplane? Use these doctor-approved tips to stay healthy during air travel. 'Generally speaking, a middle or aisle seat will have more contact with other passengers than a window seat will,' says Dr. Mueller. Of course, picking this seat isn't a guaranteed way to avoid germs, as research shows, it all depends on how close you are to an infected person, but Dr. Ognjan agrees that a window seat — especially one in the back of the plane — is often the safest. 'The last couple rows of the cabin prevent you from being breathed or coughed on from behind,' he says. This is to lower the chances that you'll need to relieve yourself in an airplane bathroom. 'You have no control over what germs existed before you entered, and they are not cleaned mid-flight,' says Dr. Ognjan. 'Infections during flights can be transmitted not only by aerosols that remain airborne and can be inhaled, but also by large droplets that settle on surfaces or by direct contact with secretions, body fluids or contaminated surfaces,' says Dr. Ognjan. What's more, 'germs can survive for hours or days after the passenger who brought them on board has departed.' He suggests using disinfectant wipes (not baby wipes) on tray tables, armrests and seat belt buckles before use. Before you eat on a plane, it's always smart to sanitize your hands first, says Dr. Mueller. Also, if you touch any communal surfaces (like the handle on the overhead bins), apply hand sanitizer and do not touch your eyes, mouth or nose afterward. 'It is one of the most likely culprits for increased risk of getting sick while flying,' says Dr. Ognjan. 'Even though it can be tempting, I recommend passing on the caffeine or alcohol, which can dehydrate you in already-dry air,' says Dr. Mueller. Yes, most airplanes have air filtration systems, but research shows masks are still effective at slowing the spread of airborne illnesses, especially on longer flights. They're particularly helpful if you're immunocompromised, notes Dr. Mueller. 'A mask can help protect you from airborne germs, especially if someone nearby is coughing or sneezing,' adds Dr. Ognjan. 'If you notice someone coughing or sneezing, try to move away or ask for a different seat if available.' The bottom line 'I want people to know that it is possible to travel without getting sick, especially if you take the right precautions!' says Dr. Mueller. 'If you have specific questions or concerns about upcoming travel, reach out to your family physician. We're here to help you navigate potentially stressful situations with confidence.' And if you happen to be the one who's sick while traveling, consider masking up and coughing and/or sneezing into your elbow when you're on the plane to lower the odds that you'll infect someone else. You Might Also Like 67 Best Gifts for Women That'll Make Her Smile The Best Pillows for Every Type of Sleeper
