Easy Bruising: Why Does It Happen? - Mayo Clinic

Easy bruising: Why does it happen?

If you bruise easily, you might wonder what's causing it and what you can do. Learn more and understand when bruising could signal a serious concern.

By Mayo Clinic Staff

Yet another bruise. You don't remember bumping into anything, but lately you seem to be bruising often. Should you be worried?

Easy bruising is common with age. Most bruises are harmless and go away without treatment. However, easy bruising can sometimes be a sign of a more serious health condition.

Why is easy bruising so common in older adults?

Most bruises form when small blood vessels, called capillaries, near the skin's surface are broken by the impact of a blow or injury. This often happens on the arms or legs. Blood then leaks out of the vessels. At first, the blood looks like a dark mark. Over time the body reabsorbs the blood, and the mark disappears.

Generally, harder blows cause larger bruises. But if you bruise easily, even a small bump may cause a large bruise.

Some people tend to bruise more easily than others. And as people get older, the skin becomes thinner. It also loses some of the protective fatty layer that helps cushion blood vessels from injury.

Can medications and supplements contribute to easy bruising?

Some medicines may lead to easy bruising by lowering the blood's ability to clot. Examples include:

1. Aspirin.
2. Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others).
3. Naproxen sodium (Aleve).
4. Anticoagulant medicines, such as warfarin (Jantoven), dabigatran (Pradaxa), rivaroxaban (Xarelto), apixaban (Eliquis), edoxaban (Savaysa) and heparin. These medicines sometimes are called blood-thinners.
5. Anti-platelet agents, such as clopidogrel (Plavix), prasugrel (Effient) and ticagrelor (Brilinta).

Some antibiotics and antidepressants also may cause problems with blood clotting. In people who take medicine that lowers the blood's ability to clot, bleeding from damage to small blood vessels near the skin's surface might take longer than usual to stop. This allows enough blood to leak out under the skin to cause a bruise.

Medicines called corticosteroids thin the skin, and that makes it easier to bruise too. Certain dietary supplements, such as ginkgo biloba, also can raise the risk of bruising due to a blood-thinning effect.

If you notice that you're bruising easily, don't stop taking your medicines. Talk with your healthcare professional about your concerns. Also, tell your healthcare professional about any supplements you take. That's especially important if you're taking a supplement when you're also taking a blood-thinning medicine. Your healthcare professional might tell you not to take certain supplements or other medicines that you can buy without a prescription.

When is easy bruising a symptom of a more serious health concern?

Easy bruising sometimes may be a symptom of a serious health issue, such as a blood-clotting condition or a blood disease. See your healthcare professional if you:

• Often get large bruises, especially if the bruises are on your chest, stomach area, back or face, or if they seem to happen without a clear reason.
• Have easy bruising and also bleed easily or bleed a lot, such as after a small cut or during surgery.
• Suddenly begin bruising or suddenly bruise more easily, especially if you recently started a new medicine.
• Have family members who bruise easily or bleed easily.

Health concerns that may be linked to easy bruising include:

• Low levels of platelets. Platelets are the part of blood that helps it clot after an injury.
• A problem with how platelets work.
• Problems with proteins that help the blood clot.

Another serious cause of bruising is domestic violence or abuse. If someone has a bruise that can't be explained, especially in an unusual location such as on the face, be aware of the possibility of abuse.

To find the cause of bruising, your healthcare professional likely will do a physical exam and ask questions about your symptoms and medical history. You also may have your blood platelet levels checked or have tests that measure the time it takes your blood to clot.

How can I prevent or treat bruises?

To prevent minor bruising, take steps to avoiding falls and injuries:

• Use good lighting in your home.
• Avoid clutter and throw rugs, especially on stairs.
• Arrange furniture and electrical cords so that they're not in your way when you walk.
• Find out about the side effects of medicines you take. Tell your healthcare professional or pharmacist if a medicine makes you dizzy or sleepy.
• Have your vision and hearing tested. Even small changes in sight or hearing may cause falls.

Once a bruise has formed, not much can be done to treat it. Most bruises go away over time as the body absorbs the blood. But healing might take longer as you age. As a bruise heals, it might help to raise the area that's bruised and put ice on it.

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May 30, 2025 Show references

1. Kraut EH. Easy bruising. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed March 14, 2022.
2. Skin care and aging. National Institute on Aging. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/skin-care-and-aging. Accessed March 14, 2022.
3. Muscle contusion (bruise). American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/muscle-contusion-bruise. Accessed March 14, 2022.
4. Hoffman R, et al. Clinical approach to the patient with bleeding or bruising. In: Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 7th ed. Elsevier; 2018. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed March 14, 2022.
5. Senile purpura. Merck Manual Professional Version. https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/hematology-and-oncology/bleeding-due-to-abnormal-blood-vessels/senile-purpura. Accessed March 14, 2022.
6. Goldman L, et al., eds. Approach to the patient with bleeding and thrombosis. In: Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Elsevier; 2020. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed March 14, 2022.
7. Fall-proofing your home. National Institute on Aging. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/fall-proofing-your-home. Accessed March 14, 2022.
8. Gurnee EA, et al. Confronting abusive injuries in dermatology: Ethical and legal considerations. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2017; 10.1016/j.jaad.2016.11.009.

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