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Bruises & Easy Bruising

Almost everyone gets bruises, and most fade on their own in a couple of weeks. Bruising more easily is common with age and with some medicines — but bruises that appear for no reason, or come with other bleeding, deserve a closer look.

What is a bruise?

A bruise is a mark on your skin caused by blood trapped under the surface. It happens when an injury crushes small blood vessels but does not break the skin, so the vessels leak blood underneath (MedlinePlus). The medical name is contusion. Bruises happen when a blow from a blunt object, a fall, or jamming the body against a hard surface crushes the tissue under the skin (AAOS OrthoInfo). Platelets — tiny pieces of cells in the blood — help form clots to slow or stop bleeding and help wounds heal (NHLBI).

You can get skin, muscle and bone bruises, and bone bruises are the most serious (MedlinePlus). A few related marks are worth knowing:

Petechiae and purpura can be signs of low platelets or a bleeding disorder (NHLBI, NHLBI), so spots like these that appear without an injury are worth having checked by a health care provider.

How a bruise heals: the color changes

Bruises are often painful and swollen at first. As they heal they change color (MedlinePlus):

Most bruises last about two weeks, though some take months to fade (MedlinePlus), and older adults’ bruises can take longer to heal (National Institute on Aging).

Why some people bruise easily

When bruising can point to a health problem

  • Bleeding disorders. These affect how the blood clots. They can be inherited or develop later in life, and symptoms include easy bruising, heavy periods and frequent nosebleeds (NHLBI). Large or frequent bruises, and bleeding that doesn’t stop with pressure, are among the signs; a mild disorder may cause no symptoms until an injury or a medical procedure (NHLBI).
    • Von Willebrand disease is the most common inherited bleeding disorder (NHLBI). CDC says it affects up to 1% of people in the U.S., men and women equally, and that large bruises and nosebleeds are common signs (CDC).
    • Hemophilia is usually inherited and occurs in about 1 in every 5,000 male births. Signs include bruising, bleeding into joints, bleeding gums, and frequent nosebleeds that are hard to stop (CDC).
  • Low platelets (thrombocytopenia). Platelets are the tiny blood cells that plug a leak. When there are too few, bleeding can last a long time, and you may see petechiae, purpura, or blood in the urine or stool. Causes include immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), some medicines, alcohol, infections, an enlarged spleen and cancers such as leukemia or lymphoma; mild cases often have no symptoms (NHLBI).
  • Liver disease. As cirrhosis gets worse, people may bruise and bleed easily (NIDDK), and liver disease is one cause of acquired bleeding disorders (NHLBI).
  • Leukemia. Easy bruising or bleeding can appear together with fever, weakness or tiredness, pale skin and bone pain (National Cancer Institute, National Cancer Institute). These signs can be caused by other conditions too (National Cancer Institute) — the point is to get them checked.

Accidental bruises are common, especially in older adults (National Institute on Aging). Most bruises are just bruises.

Call 911 after a blow to the head if the person loses consciousness, looks very drowsy or can’t be woken up, vomits repeatedly, has a headache that gets worse and doesn’t go away, has weakness, numbness, convulsions or seizures, slurred speech or unusual behavior, is confused, or has one pupil larger than the other (CDC). Call 911 too for bleeding that doesn’t stop when you press on it (NHLBI).

Get emergency care if, after an injury, the pain is far worse than you would expect from the injury itself, gets worse when you use or stretch the muscle, or the muscle feels tight or full. These are signs of acute compartment syndrome, a surgical emergency that can lead to permanent muscle damage without treatment; numbness is a late sign (AAOS OrthoInfo). A deep muscle bruise can occasionally lead to it (AAOS OrthoInfo).

If you take a blood thinner, contact your provider right away after a serious fall or a bump on the head, or if you notice unusual bruising, red or brown urine, red or black bowel movements, or bleeding from the gums or nose that doesn’t stop quickly (MedlinePlus). On warfarin, easy bruising is one of the symptoms to report to your doctor immediately (MedlinePlus).

See a doctor soon if you:

If you think a child is being abused, call or text the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453 (1-800-4-A-CHILD), open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (Child Welfare Information Gateway, Childhelp). In an emergency, call 911 (Child Welfare Information Gateway).

If you think an older adult is being abused and they are in urgent danger, call 911; otherwise, report it to Adult Protective Services (National Institute on Aging). In California, call 1-833-401-0832 and enter your ZIP code to reach your county’s APS, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (California Department of Social Services). See When bruises may signal abuse below.

Side by side

Six approaches compared

For every condition we look at the same six approaches: what each involves, what it typically costs, and what a patient can realistically expect.

ApproachWhat it involves Estimated costWhat to expect
Conventional medicine (AMA) Ice and elevation early on, rest for the injured area, acetaminophen for pain if needed, gentle warmth after the first couple of days. For easy or unexplained bruising: a medicine and supplement review, and blood tests for clotting problems, low platelets or liver disease when needed. Home care costs little. Many common blood tests bought directly from national labs list at about $29 to $99, such as a CBC about $29, metabolic panel about $49, A1C about $39 and lipid panel about $59; hospital pricing can be far higher (The Pricer, updated September 2026). Paying without insurance, many standard urgent care visits ran about $125–$300, with labs, X-rays or stitches adding to the bill (The Pricer, published July 2026). On Medicare you usually pay 20% of the approved amount after the Part B deductible (Medicare.gov). Most bruises fade without treatment in about two weeks. Easy bruising improves when its cause — a medicine, a deficiency or a bleeding disorder — is found and managed.
Chiropractic Being researched — coming soon.
Acupuncture Being researched — coming soon.
Herbal medicine Topical arnica, vitamin K creams and bromelain are the remedies most often tried. Just as important: knowing which supplements make bruising and bleeding more likely. Cost estimate being researched. Small studies of bruises made by a laser suggest arnica or vitamin K cream may help them fade faster; results are mixed and evidence is limited. Don’t take arnica by mouth. Check every supplement with your pharmacist if you take a blood thinner.
Massage therapy Not a treatment for bruises. Avoid massaging a fresh bruise or injured area. Not applicable. We found no evidence that massage speeds bruise healing. Tell your therapist if you bruise easily or take a blood thinner, and ask for gentle work.
MBHA Wellness Coach Fall-proofing the home, protecting fragile skin from bumps, a medicine and supplement review, vitamin C and K-rich foods, and knowing when to speak up about bruises on someone you care for. Cost estimate being researched. Fewer bumps and falls mean fewer bruises. A coach supports you; a coach never replaces a medical check for unexplained bruising.

Approach 1 of 6

Conventional medicine (AMA)

Most bruises fade on their own in about two weeks (MedlinePlus). Care has two goals: easing a bruise from an injury, and — when bruising is frequent or unexplained — finding the cause.

1. First aid for a bruise

2. Pain relief

The NHS suggests trying paracetamol (acetaminophen) first to ease the pain of a sprain or strain (NHS). For a muscle bruise, your doctor may suggest an NSAID such as ibuprofen (AAOS OrthoInfo), but NSAIDs can cause bleeding in the stomach or intestines, so tell your doctor if you take a blood thinner, a steroid or an SSRI antidepressant (MedlinePlus). If you take warfarin, don’t start aspirin or NSAIDs such as ibuprofen or naproxen without talking with your provider (MedlinePlus).

3. Finding the cause of easy or unexplained bruising

4. Treating the cause

Treatment depends on what is found. If a reaction to a medicine is lowering your platelets, your provider may prescribe another medicine (NHLBI) — but only your provider should make that call. Some medicines are worth keeping despite extra bruising: if you have a stent, for example, stopping clopidogrel too soon raises the risk of a blood clot forming in the stent (MedlinePlus). Bleeding disorders may be treated with medicines or clotting factor replacement, and even untreated ones may call for precautions before a procedure or during pregnancy (NHLBI). Mild low platelets may not need treatment; otherwise treatment targets the cause (NHLBI).

What it costs

  • Home care — ice, a towel, a pillow to raise the limb — costs little or nothing.
  • Blood tests, doctor and specialist visits: MBHA cost estimate being researched.

How well it works — what to expect

Most bruises fade within about two weeks without treatment, and icing and raising the injured area helps reduce bruising (MedlinePlus). For easy bruising, the outlook depends on the cause, which is why unexplained or frequent bruising is worth checking.

Find a medical doctor in our directory

Approach 4 of 6

Herbal medicine

A few creams are popular for helping bruises fade. The research is small, and most of it studied bruises made on purpose with a laser, not everyday bumps. Just as important is the other side of the story: some supplements make bruising and bleeding more likely.

Arnica (on the skin only)

  • Arnica flowers and roots have long been used for bruises, sprains and aching muscles (Memorial Sloan Kettering).
  • In a 2010 randomized trial in healthy volunteers, arnica ointment helped laser-made bruises fade more than plain petroleum jelly and more than a weak vitamin K and retinol cream, but not more than a stronger vitamin K cream (Leu et al., British Journal of Dermatology, 2010).
  • Results after surgery are mixed: arnica may have reduced bruising after nose surgery but did not help after eyelid surgery, and Memorial Sloan Kettering says more rigorous research is needed on homeopathic arnica (Memorial Sloan Kettering).
  • Safety: arnica can irritate the skin. Don’t use it if you’re allergic to ragweed, marigolds, sunflowers or related plants. Taken by mouth, the raw herb can cause internal bleeding and other serious harm. Talk with your provider first if you take a blood thinner, because arnica may increase bleeding risk (Memorial Sloan Kettering).

Vitamin K cream

The evidence is limited and mixed. In a small 2002 trial, people who used vitamin K cream after laser treatment of the face had less severe bruising than with a placebo cream, though using it beforehand did not prevent bruising (Shah et al., Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2002). A 2004 report in the same journal described a lack of effect of topical vitamin K on bruising after a mechanical injury (Kovács et al., Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2004).

Bromelain

Bromelain is a group of enzymes from the pineapple plant. NCCIH says a small number of studies have looked at it by mouth for pain and swelling after wisdom tooth removal; for most other uses very little research has been done (NCCIH). NCCIH doesn’t list bruising among its studied uses. Talk with your provider before using it if you take any medicine (NCCIH).

Supplements that can make bruising and bleeding more likely

If you bruise easily or take a blood thinner, show every supplement, vitamin and herbal product to your pharmacist or doctor before you start it (MedlinePlus, MedlinePlus). Foods that contain vitamin K can change how warfarin works, so keep the amount you eat steady and don’t suddenly eat large amounts of leafy greens (MedlinePlus); ask your provider before taking vitamin K (MedlinePlus). We don’t list doses.

Approach 5 of 6

Massage therapy

Massage is not a treatment for bruises, and a fresh bruise is one place to skip.

  • Leave a fresh bruise alone. For a muscle bruise, orthopaedic surgeons advise: don’t massage the injured area (AAOS OrthoInfo). For sprains and strains, which often bruise, the NHS advises avoiding massage for the first couple of days to help prevent swelling (NHS).
  • Deep work carries rare risks. Serious side effects from massage are rare, but some reported cases involved vigorous or deep-tissue massage, or people at higher risk of injury such as elderly people (NCCIH).
  • Blood thinners and easy bruising. Bleeding is the most common side effect of blood thinners, and unusual bruising is one of the warning signs (MedlinePlus). Tell your massage therapist about blood thinners, bleeding disorders or easy bruising, and ask for gentle pressure. Don’t use massage to put off seeing a provider about unexplained bruising (NCCIH).

Find a massage therapist in our directory

Approach 6 of 6

MBHA Wellness Coach

An MBHA Wellness Coach can help you, or someone you care for, cut down on the bumps and falls behind most bruises — alongside, never instead of, your doctor.

Fall-proof the home

Bruises happen when a blow or a fall crushes the tissue under the skin (AAOS OrthoInfo), so avoiding falls around the house helps. CDC’s fall-prevention checklist suggests (CDC STEADI):

  • keeping stairs and floors clear of papers, shoes and other objects, and fixing loose or uneven steps and handrails;
  • removing throw rugs or securing them with double-sided tape or a non-slip backing, and taping cords against the wall;
  • keeping things you use often on lower shelves, and never using a chair as a step stool;
  • a lamp within reach of the bed, a nightlight on the way to the bathroom, a non-slip mat in the tub, and grab bars by the tub and toilet.

Exercise that builds balance and leg strength, such as tai chi, lowers the chance of falling (CDC STEADI). Our Balance guide has more.

Protect fragile skin

Review medicines with your pharmacist

Ask your doctor or pharmacist to review all the medicines you take, including over-the-counter ones, since the way medicines work can change as you age (CDC STEADI). Bring your supplements too, and keep a written list of everything you take (MedlinePlus). A coach can help you make the list and the questions — never stop or change a medicine without your prescriber.

Eat for healthy blood vessels and clotting

Speak up about bruises on someone you care for

Talk to a doctor about bruises that have no clear cause, especially on parts of the body usually covered by clothing (National Institute on Aging). The next section explains when bruises can be a sign of abuse and who to call.

Another approach

When bruises may signal abuse

Most bruises in children and older adults are accidents. But bruises can also be a sign of abuse, and noticing them can protect someone who can’t speak up for themselves.

Children

Older adults

Still being researched: Chiropractic, Acupuncture. We add each approach once its costs and results are sourced. Are you a practitioner with experience treating Bruises & Easy Bruising? Tell us.

In their own words

Wellness and lifestyle testimonials

Please read first. These are personal experiences, not medical advice. MBHA makes no medical claims and does not claim any product heals bruises. Get medical care for a bruise after a head injury or hard fall, severe pain or swelling, trouble putting weight on a limb, or bruising that appears without an injury or with blood thinners. Magnets can interfere with pacemakers and insulin pumps — ask your doctor first if you use one.

I had a bruise on my thigh and put two small magnets in the center. After only three days I could see light spots where the magnets had been.

— Birgit

I tripped over a computer in the dark and hurt my leg and ankle. My husband used a hand-held magnetic device on the area right away and the pain eased within minutes, and I wrapped the area with far-infrared wraps and small magnets overnight. I bruise easily and expected a black-and-blue leg, but in the morning there was no bruising, and in two days the small cuts were gone too.

— Nancy

Shared with first names only. Lightly edited for length and spelling.

Member stories

Living with Bruises & Easy Bruising? Share your experience

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Which approaches have you tried?

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Sources

This page is for education only and is not medical advice. Costs are typical U.S. ranges and estimates; yours will depend on your provider, location and insurance. Talk with your doctor before starting, stopping or combining any treatment. In an emergency, call 911. See our disclaimer.

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