Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsRisk FactorsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPreventionFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Risk Factors
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention
Frequently Asked Questions
Random bruises, also referred to ascontusions, may happen without a clear cause or injury. Some people may be more susceptible to random bruising than others, especially if they have a condition that makes them bruise easily.
Bruising occurs when there is aninjuryto tissues underneath the skin. This can damage blood vessels and causes blood to pool below the surface of the skin, leaving behind black, blue, purple, brown, green, or yellow marks.
Bruises aren’t typically something to worry about, and they tend to heal on their own in a few days or weeks. However, you may want to see a healthcare provider to determine why you have unexplained bruising.
This article discusses risk possible causes of unexplained bruising, how to treat random bruising, and when to seek medical attention.
Sharon Mccutcheon/ EyeEm / Getty Images
What Are the Risk Factors for Random Bruising?
There are various risk factors associated with random and easy bruising, such as genetics, age, and sex.
While there’s no evidence of a specific genetic component that drives random bruising, studies have shown that people who bruise easily often have close family members who do as well.
When a person bruises easily, they may experience random and unexplained bruises from everyday activities and events that would typically not affect someone else. For example, they may get a black-and-blue after gently knocking their leg against a desk.
A person with fairer skin and fragile blood vessels, genetic traits, can make bruises develop more easily and appear darker in color.
On top of genetics, aging can be a factor of unexplained bruising. Older adults often experience random bruising as part of the natural aging process. This is due to weakening blood vessels that are more prone to breakage even with slight injury to the area.
Sex can also affect bruising, as those born female tend to bruise more easily than those born male.
What Causes Random Bruising?
There are several causes that may lead to unexplained bruising, like certain medications, nutrient deficiencies, and medical conditions.
Medications
Some medications can lead to easy or random bruising because of how they affect the body. Specific medications include:
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Bleeding Disorders
Bleeding disorders occur when the blood doesn’t clot as it should. There are several different bleeding disorders that can cause a person to bruise randomly, including:
Blood Disorders
Nutrient Deficiency
Nutrients are important for all bodily functions, and not getting enough vitamins and minerals can cause various health issues. Unexplained bruising is one of them.
There are several nutrient deficiencies associated with easy or random bruising, including:
Vitamin C Deficiency and Leg BruisingAlthough vitamin deficiencies can lead to random bruising across the entire body, one case report found the bruising to be localized to the legs.
Vitamin C Deficiency and Leg Bruising
Although vitamin deficiencies can lead to random bruising across the entire body, one case report found the bruising to be localized to the legs.
Diabetes
Diabetesis a chronic condition that develops because of the body’s inability to produce or use insulin, a hormone designed to manage blood sugar levels.
The condition can lead to bruising that lasts longer than normal because of the way it affects wound healing.
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Low Blood Platelets
Blood plateletsare specific cells that exist within the blood. When certain blood vessels are damaged, blood platelets bind together to repair the issue.
People with low counts of blood platelets often bruise easily because there are fewer platelets in the blood to repair damaged blood vessels. A low platelet count is also calledthrombocytopenia, and there are a few potential causes, such as:
What Causes a Low Platelet Count (Thrombocytopenia)?
Cushing’s Syndrome
Cushing’s syndromeis a condition that arises when levels of cortisol, a stress hormone, are too high in the blood.
Cushing’s causes easy bruising because it can lead to thinning skin.
Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
Ehlers-Danlos syndromesare a group of hereditary health conditions that negatively affect the function and structure of connective tissues such as the skin, joints, and walls of the blood vessels.
Because of this, easy bruising is often a symptom of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.
Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
This is a type of cancer that begins inlymphocyte cells, which are immune cells designed to aid in the fight against pathogens.
If a person has non-Hodgkin lymphoma, especially in their bone marrow, it can reduce blood cell count and blood platelet count, leading to clotting issues and random bruising.
How Are the Causes of Random Bruising Diagnosed?
To determine what’s causing random bruising, a healthcare provider will likely do a physical exam and go over your medical history. They may ask you questions about:
They may also recommend blood tests, such as a complete blood count (CBC) and a coagulation factor test, which check to see if there’s an issue with your ability to form blood clots.
What Is the Treatment for Random Bruising?
In many cases, random bruising doesn’t require any treatment at all and will heal on its own.
If you are in pain because of the bruise, you can apply a cold compress to the area to slow down blood flow. Keeping the bruise elevated above the heart can prevent further blood pooling.
When to Call a DoctorExperiencing random bruising can be alarming, but it doesn’t always warrant a visit to your doctor. That being said, you should see your doctor if:The bruise doesn’t go awayYou don’t know where the bruises are coming from and they occur regularlyThe bruise is exceptionally painful
When to Call a Doctor
Experiencing random bruising can be alarming, but it doesn’t always warrant a visit to your doctor. That being said, you should see your doctor if:The bruise doesn’t go awayYou don’t know where the bruises are coming from and they occur regularlyThe bruise is exceptionally painful
Experiencing random bruising can be alarming, but it doesn’t always warrant a visit to your doctor. That being said, you should see your doctor if:
Can You Prevent Random Bruising?
It’s difficult to avoid bruising completely, especially when the cause is unknown.
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Bruises typically heal on their own within two weeks of the initial injury. If you find yourself in pain because of the bruise, you can apply a cold compress and keep the bruise elevated above the heart. This may help speed the healing process because it lowers inflammation and prevents more blood from pooling in the area.
Bruises often change colors as they heal. Bruises typically turn yellow or green roughly five to 10 days after your injury and do so because the body produces specific compounds to break down the blood that has gathered in the area. These compounds are known as biliverdin and bilirubin and are actually pigments that occur naturally when they break down blood. When the bruise turns yellow, it’s because more bilirubin is responsible for breaking down the blood and when it turns green, it is the action of biliverdin.
Bad bruises, also known as hematomas, can occur following a more serious injury. Along with the discoloration associated with a bruise, hematomas can also cause the area to feel hard or firm to the touch.
13 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Dyer JM, Miller RA.Chronic skin fragility of aging: current concepts in the pathogenesis, recognition, and management of dermatoporosis.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol.2018;11(1):13-18.Harvard Health Publishing Harvard Medical School.Is my bruising normal?Easy bruising and bleeding.Am Fam Physician.2016;93(4).American Society of Hematology.Bleeding disorders.MacDonald E, Price V, Ramsey S, McLaughlin R.A 15-year-old boy with anemia and leg bruising.Paediatr Child Health.2017;22(7):365-366. doi:10.1093/pch/pxx139Wolpert K, Szadkowski M, Miescier M, Hewes HA.The presentation of a fussy infant with bruising: late-onset vitamin K deficiency bleeding.Pediatr Emerg Care.2019;35(4):e70-e71. doi:10.1097/PEC.0000000000001083American Diabetes Association.Understanding type 1 diabetes.Canadian Cancer Society.Low platelet count (thrombocytopenia).Stratakis CA.Skin manifestations of Cushing’s syndrome.Rev Endocr Metab Disord.2016;17(3):283-286. doi:10.1007/s11154-016-9399-3Gudmundsdottir SA, Moller PH, Arngrimsson R.Ehlers-Danlos-heilkenni af gerd IV. Sjukratilfelli og sjukdomseinkenni [Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type IV. Case study and clinical findings].Laeknabladid.2012;98(6):355-359. Icelandic. doi:10.17992/lbl.2012.06.440American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of non-hodgkin lymphoma.UpToDate.Easy bruising.Kids Health.Bruises (for teens).
13 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Dyer JM, Miller RA.Chronic skin fragility of aging: current concepts in the pathogenesis, recognition, and management of dermatoporosis.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol.2018;11(1):13-18.Harvard Health Publishing Harvard Medical School.Is my bruising normal?Easy bruising and bleeding.Am Fam Physician.2016;93(4).American Society of Hematology.Bleeding disorders.MacDonald E, Price V, Ramsey S, McLaughlin R.A 15-year-old boy with anemia and leg bruising.Paediatr Child Health.2017;22(7):365-366. doi:10.1093/pch/pxx139Wolpert K, Szadkowski M, Miescier M, Hewes HA.The presentation of a fussy infant with bruising: late-onset vitamin K deficiency bleeding.Pediatr Emerg Care.2019;35(4):e70-e71. doi:10.1097/PEC.0000000000001083American Diabetes Association.Understanding type 1 diabetes.Canadian Cancer Society.Low platelet count (thrombocytopenia).Stratakis CA.Skin manifestations of Cushing’s syndrome.Rev Endocr Metab Disord.2016;17(3):283-286. doi:10.1007/s11154-016-9399-3Gudmundsdottir SA, Moller PH, Arngrimsson R.Ehlers-Danlos-heilkenni af gerd IV. Sjukratilfelli og sjukdomseinkenni [Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type IV. Case study and clinical findings].Laeknabladid.2012;98(6):355-359. Icelandic. doi:10.17992/lbl.2012.06.440American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of non-hodgkin lymphoma.UpToDate.Easy bruising.Kids Health.Bruises (for teens).
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Dyer JM, Miller RA.Chronic skin fragility of aging: current concepts in the pathogenesis, recognition, and management of dermatoporosis.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol.2018;11(1):13-18.Harvard Health Publishing Harvard Medical School.Is my bruising normal?Easy bruising and bleeding.Am Fam Physician.2016;93(4).American Society of Hematology.Bleeding disorders.MacDonald E, Price V, Ramsey S, McLaughlin R.A 15-year-old boy with anemia and leg bruising.Paediatr Child Health.2017;22(7):365-366. doi:10.1093/pch/pxx139Wolpert K, Szadkowski M, Miescier M, Hewes HA.The presentation of a fussy infant with bruising: late-onset vitamin K deficiency bleeding.Pediatr Emerg Care.2019;35(4):e70-e71. doi:10.1097/PEC.0000000000001083American Diabetes Association.Understanding type 1 diabetes.Canadian Cancer Society.Low platelet count (thrombocytopenia).Stratakis CA.Skin manifestations of Cushing’s syndrome.Rev Endocr Metab Disord.2016;17(3):283-286. doi:10.1007/s11154-016-9399-3Gudmundsdottir SA, Moller PH, Arngrimsson R.Ehlers-Danlos-heilkenni af gerd IV. Sjukratilfelli og sjukdomseinkenni [Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type IV. Case study and clinical findings].Laeknabladid.2012;98(6):355-359. Icelandic. doi:10.17992/lbl.2012.06.440American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of non-hodgkin lymphoma.UpToDate.Easy bruising.Kids Health.Bruises (for teens).
Dyer JM, Miller RA.Chronic skin fragility of aging: current concepts in the pathogenesis, recognition, and management of dermatoporosis.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol.2018;11(1):13-18.
Harvard Health Publishing Harvard Medical School.Is my bruising normal?
Easy bruising and bleeding.Am Fam Physician.2016;93(4).
American Society of Hematology.Bleeding disorders.
MacDonald E, Price V, Ramsey S, McLaughlin R.A 15-year-old boy with anemia and leg bruising.Paediatr Child Health.2017;22(7):365-366. doi:10.1093/pch/pxx139
Wolpert K, Szadkowski M, Miescier M, Hewes HA.The presentation of a fussy infant with bruising: late-onset vitamin K deficiency bleeding.Pediatr Emerg Care.2019;35(4):e70-e71. doi:10.1097/PEC.0000000000001083
American Diabetes Association.Understanding type 1 diabetes.
Canadian Cancer Society.Low platelet count (thrombocytopenia).
Stratakis CA.Skin manifestations of Cushing’s syndrome.Rev Endocr Metab Disord.2016;17(3):283-286. doi:10.1007/s11154-016-9399-3
Gudmundsdottir SA, Moller PH, Arngrimsson R.Ehlers-Danlos-heilkenni af gerd IV. Sjukratilfelli og sjukdomseinkenni [Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type IV. Case study and clinical findings].Laeknabladid.2012;98(6):355-359. Icelandic. doi:10.17992/lbl.2012.06.440
American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of non-hodgkin lymphoma.
UpToDate.Easy bruising.
Kids Health.Bruises (for teens).
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