Be Our Partner! Book a Free Consultation Now! Become a Member > Get Involved >
Health Conditions > Health Articles > Find a Practitioner > Events >

Home  /  Health Conditions  /  Bruises & Easy Bruising

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 an area of discolored skin that forms when small blood vessels break and leak blood into the soft tissue under the skin (MedlinePlus). The medical names are contusion or ecchymosis. The blood stays under the skin, so there is no outside bleeding unless the skin breaks, and your platelets go to work repairing the leaking vessels (Cleveland Clinic). Bruises are often caused by falls, sports injuries, car accidents or blows from people or objects (MedlinePlus).

There are three kinds: bruises just under the skin, bruises inside a muscle, and bone bruises, which are the most severe and painful (MedlinePlus). A few related marks are worth knowing (Cleveland Clinic):

  • Petechiae: pinpoint reddish dots that don’t turn white when you press on them gently.
  • Purpura: small areas of bleeding under the skin, larger than petechiae but smaller than a typical bruise.
  • Hematoma: a larger, usually raised and painful collection of blood, often after a bigger injury such as a car accident or a bad fall.

Bleeding into the skin doesn’t fade when you press on it, the way ordinary redness does, and apart from the common bruise, bleeding into the skin should always be checked by a health care provider (MedlinePlus).

How a bruise heals: the color changes

As your body breaks down and reabsorbs the trapped blood, the bruise changes color (Nemours KidsHealth):

On darker skin, a bruise may look purple, dark brown or black, then turn a lighter brown, green or yellow as it heals (Cleveland Clinic). Most bruises last about two weeks, though some take months to fade (MedlinePlus). Severe bruising and hematomas may last a month or longer (Cleveland Clinic), 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 worsens, easy bruising and abnormal bleeding can develop (MedlinePlus), and liver disease is one cause of acquired bleeding disorders (NHLBI).
  • Leukemia. Easy bruising can appear together with fever, tiredness or weakness, pale skin and bone pain (MedlinePlus, MedlinePlus). These symptoms can have other causes too (MedlinePlus) — the point is to get them checked.

The American Academy of Family Physicians notes that poor nutrition, liver disease and some cancers are rare causes of bruising (American Academy of Family Physicians). Most bruises are just bruises.

Call 911 after a blow to the head if the person is confused, very sleepy or unconscious, vomits more than once, has a severe headache, a seizure, or pupils of unequal size (MedlinePlus). Call 911 too for bleeding that doesn’t stop when you press on it (NHLBI).

Get emergency care if a bruised area feels extremely tight or under pressure, especially if it is large or very painful (MedlinePlus), or if after an injury the pain is far worse than expected, doesn’t ease with pain medicine or raising the limb, or comes with numbness, tingling, weakness or pale skin. These are signs of compartment syndrome, which needs surgery right away to prevent permanent damage (MedlinePlus).

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). Dark red or black bruises also need a call to your provider right away (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). If a child’s life is in danger, go to the nearest emergency room (American Academy of Pediatrics).

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 two days. For easy or unexplained bruising: a medicine and supplement review, and blood tests for clotting problems, low platelets, liver disease or vitamin deficiency when needed. Home care costs little. A complete blood count (CBC) alone can cost about $10–$150 or more; with insurance, people typically pay a $0–$30 copay or coinsurance. Doctor visit: cost estimate being researched. 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. Cost estimate being researched. 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 without treatment (Cleveland Clinic). 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

MedlinePlus suggests acetaminophen (Tylenol) if needed for pain (MedlinePlus). Cleveland Clinic also names acetaminophen and advises checking with your provider before using NSAIDs such as ibuprofen or naproxen (Cleveland Clinic) — regular NSAID use can itself make bruising more likely (American Academy of Family Physicians). If you take a blood thinner, ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking any over-the-counter pain reliever (MedlinePlus).

3. Finding the cause of easy or unexplained bruising

4. Treating the cause

Treatment depends on what is found. If a medicine is the cause, your provider may change it — but only your provider should make that call (MedlinePlus, American Academy of Family Physicians). Some medicines are worth keeping despite extra bruising, such as clopidogrel after a heart stent (American Family Physician). 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: a complete blood count alone can cost about $10–$150 or more, and a wider set of tests far more. With insurance, people usually pay a copay of about $0–$30, or coinsurance, with deductibles applying (cost guide: CostHelper).
  • 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; applying ice soon after an injury can keep bruising smaller (Cleveland Clinic). 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 tea to your pharmacist or doctor before you start it (MedlinePlus, MedlinePlus). Vitamin K — in supplements or in large changes to the leafy greens you eat — can change how warfarin works (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 and bruising are more likely on a blood thinner (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 usually come from injuries, so avoiding falls around the house helps (MedlinePlus). 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.

Cleveland Clinic adds moving furniture away from doorways and walkways, and turning on a light in dim areas (Cleveland Clinic). 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 (American Academy of Family Physicians). 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

  • Vitamin C: citrus fruits and juices, kiwi, green and red peppers, and leafy greens such as spinach, cabbage and turnip greens. Raw fruits and vegetables are the best sources, since cooking and long storage reduce vitamin C (MedlinePlus).
  • Vitamin K: green leafy vegetables such as kale, spinach, collards and Swiss chard, and vegetables such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts and cabbage (MedlinePlus).
  • If you take warfarin, keep your vitamin K intake steady from day to day and ask your provider how much is right for you (MedlinePlus).

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.

Member stories

Living with Bruises & Easy Bruising? Share your experience

Real experiences help others choose. Tell us what you tried — conventional medicine, chiropractic, acupuncture, herbs, massage or coaching — what it cost and what changed.

No stories have been published for this condition yet. Yours could be the first.

Which approaches have you tried?

What did you try, what did it cost, and what changed for you? Please leave out anything you’d rather keep private.

We read every story before it’s published and may shorten it. Stories describe one person’s experience; results vary. See our Privacy Policy.

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.

Find the right practitioner

Search MBHA’s Health Directory for doctors, chiropractors, acupuncturists and massage therapists across the Monterey Bay.

Search the Directory All Health Conditions

The Monterey Bay Holistic Alliance is a charitable, independent registered nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization and does not endorse any particular products or practices. Claims and statements herein are for informational purposes only and have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. We strongly recommend that you seek out your trusted medical doctor or practitioner for diagnosis and treatment of any existing health condition. MBHA provides administrative support, education and navigation — not medical, legal or tax advice — and cannot guarantee claim, billing or fundraising outcomes. MBHA is not an emergency service: in an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.