Unexplained Bruising

The common skin injury that results in discoloration of the skin is called a bruise. The black and blue mark on the skin is due to blood from damaged blood vessels present deep within the skin. The blood collects near the surface of the skin and results in what appears like a bruise.

Bruises, also called contusions heal within 2 to 4 weeks and you may observe the bruise turning black, then reddish-blue, or sometimes even yellowish-green. The bruise usually spreads down in the direction of gravity therefore, you will observe it spreading down the affected body area.

Many unexplained bruises are not a cause of concern. They are normally accompanied with pain, swelling and soreness. Many times unexplained bruises turn up when you can't even remember whether you had bumped into something or not. These unexplained bruises show up on your body once in a while and are normally cleared up on their own. Let us see the unexplained bruising causes and know what is causing you to go black and blue.

Unexplained Bruising Causes
There are a number of causes that may lead to unexplained bruising. Of the many unexplained bruising causes, diabetes is one of the hidden culprits. The relation between unexplained bruising and diabetes is a condition called Acanthosis nigricans. In this condition, you may observe patches of brown and black skin that have been accumulated in the body folds and creases, that is, armpits and neck. This is hyper-pigmentation that is caused as the excess insulin spills in the skin due to insulin resistance associated with Type II Diabetes. You should look out for other symptoms like excessive thirst, fatigue, blurred vision, frequent infections, etc. that are tell-tale signs of diabetes. If these symptoms are present along with unexplained bruising, you should get yourself checked for diabetes.

The other unexplained bruising causes include injuries that lead to leakage of blood. This may be due to bumping in the bed post or a slight brush with doors, wall corners, etc. that you may not notice. Also, rigorous exercises can also lead to tear in the blood vessels that causes unexplained bruising. During old age, the skin can easily be bruised by minor injuries. The skin becomes thinner and less flexible and the fat under skin decreases. Thus, it causes the skin to be damaged easily due to sun exposure and the blood vessels under the skin rupture easily. Therefore, many elderly often complain of unexplained bruising on arms.

Also, it has been observed that bruises are often observed on women than men. Women often complain of unexplained bruising on legs, thighs, buttocks and upper arms. Also, the tendency of unexplained bruising is often seen particular in families. Thinner people are more prone to bruising as they lack the fat cushion that helps prevent injury. It may also be due to deficiency of vitamin C, vitamin B12, folic acid and vitamin K.

Many times taking medications like aspirin, ibuprofen, non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and even birth control pills increases chances of unexplained bruising. Topical and systemic corticosteroids cause skin thinning, making one prone to bruises. Many unexplained or increased bruising can be caused due to liver ailments, kidney diseases and blood disorders like:

• Hemophilia
• Platelet dysfunction
• Thrombocytopenia
• Leukemia
• Multiple myeloma
• Hodgkin's disease
• Connective tissue disorders such as scurvy, Marfan's syndrome, and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome

Lupus and sepsis may also lead to unexplained bruising. These conditions lead to unexplained bruising and may indicate a serious medical problem. If you experience longer and heavy periods, nosebleed, bleeding gums while bruising, you should seek medical help. Unexplained bruises at unusual places may indicate domestic abuse. These unexplained bruises, especially when the person cannot give a valid reason for their appearance may point towards domestic violence. These people generally include women with an abusive partner/husband/boyfriend, etc. or children with abusive parent(s), guardian or caretaker.

Unexplained Bruising Symptoms
An unexplained bruising symptoms are pinkish red area like tiny red dots or skin blotches. The bruise may be very small in size and may blend in with the skin color. Or the bruise may be large in size, swollen and painful.

How Long Do Bruises Last on the Body?
The body takes time in reabsorbing the blood spilled in the surrounding tissues from the broken capillaries. As the blood gets cleared, it results in different colors of the bruise. Thus, the color of the bruise indicates how long it has been on the body. Initially, the bruise is reddish in color as the blood has just begun to appear underneath the skin. After a couple of days, the hemoglobin present in the blood begins to change its color. The bruise, now turns into bluish-purple or blackish shade after 1 to 2 days. After about 5 to 10 days, the bruise may begin to appear slightly yellowish or greenish in color. The bruise further turns yellowish-brown or light brown after about 10 to 14 days. After about 2 to 3 weeks, the bruise fades away completely. However, in some cases, the bruise may last for a month or more than a month.

Unexplained Bruising Treatment
When you suffer from general unexplained bruising, you need to take rest, apply ice compression within 24 to 48 hours. In case of swollen, unexplained bruising on arms, you can wrap the area with an elastic bandage. Unexplained bruising on legs need to be kept in an elevated position to minimize swelling. You can gently massage the area to relieve pain and increase blood flow.

This was some information related to unexplained bruising. You should eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables and eat a wholesome, balanced diet. Make sure you eat an iron rich diet and include all the essential vitamins and minerals in the food you eat. Unexplained bruising accompanied by unnatural bleeding and a lot of pain and swelling requires immediate medical care. I hope this article has helped answer some of your queries related to unexplained bruising.