The Bruise That Appears Without a Knock
Photo source: Flickr
A bruise can appear almost mysteriously. You notice a purple patch on your arm while getting dressed and have no idea where it came from. One unexplained bruise is not necessarily cause for concern, particularly as skin becomes thinner and more easily damaged with age.
Small knocks can also be surprisingly easy to forget. Catching your arm against a cupboard, bumping a leg on furniture, or carrying a heavy shopping bag can leave a mark without making much of an impression at the time.
What matters is the pattern. If bruises are suddenly appearing much more often than usual, are unusually large, or seem to develop without any obvious bumps or injuries, mention it to your healthcare professional.
Medicines can also be relevant. Some medicines, including blood-thinning medicines, can make bruising easier. That does not mean you should stop taking them. If you have noticed a change since starting a medicine, tell your doctor or pharmacist so they can consider whether the timing is significant.
It is useful to keep an eye on where the bruises appear and whether they are accompanied by anything else. Frequent nosebleeds, bleeding gums, unusually heavy bleeding from a small cut, or persistent tiredness may provide additional information that is important to a healthcare professional.
You can also take a photograph when you first notice an unexplained bruise. If it changes significantly over several days or you keep developing similar marks, having a record can make it easier to describe what has been happening.
Most bruises gradually change colour and fade as the body reabsorbs the blood beneath the skin. But a bruise that keeps getting larger, becomes increasingly painful, or is accompanied by significant swelling deserves medical attention.
The occasional mystery bruise is part of life. A noticeable change in how easily you bruise is different. If your skin seems to be telling you something has changed, it is worth mentioning rather than simply waiting for the next mark to appear.
