It's not the same thing as a blood clot in a vein. Bruising easily doesn't mean you have a serious health problem, especially if bruising is minimal or only shows up once in a while. Diseases such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and HIV/AIDS. Smoking slows healing because it decreases blood supply and delays tissue repair. Bruises on your belly, back, or face with no obvious cause, or many new bruises, are reasons to see your doctor. Wrap the area (not too tightly) with an elastic bandage, such as an Ace wrap, and keep it on until you see a doctor. A hematoma usually isn't a cause for concern. Solar purpura rarely affects young people. They are considered smaller versions of purpura and measure less than 4 mm in diameter. Call your doctor today to discuss the symptoms and arrange for care. But they are different than the tiny, flat, red spots or birthmarks (hemangiomas) that are on the skin all the time. Nonthrombocytopenic purpura often doesn't need to be treated. Steroid medicines, which may be used to treat a variety of conditions. They are tiny, flat, red or purple spots in the skin. Skin Lesions: Spots on Skin that Aren't Bruises | WCEI By Carrie Madormo, RN, MPH Instead, they are caused by either an inflammatory skin disease or a vascular problem. How Often Are Elderly People in Nursing Homes Undermonitored? Older adults often bruise easily from minor injuries. So what is a bruise? Medical Review:William H. Blahd Jr. MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine & Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine & Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine. Vaginal bleeding that is different (heavier, more frequent, at a different time of month) than what you are used to. If your bruising is due to age, your doctor may suggest that you avoid medicines like NSAIDs that could make you bleed more easily. Generally, they are small bruise-like spots on skin that look different than typical bruising. or something else. Mental changes, such as feeling confused or much less alert. On dark skin, the patches appear dark brown or black. If it doesn't, the above treatments may be used. But they are different than the tiny, flat, red spots or birthmarks (hemangiomas) that are on the skin all the time. If you have some organs of both sexes, you may need to go through this triage tool twice (once as "male" and once as "female"). Dont worry, were here to help! It's important to consider this possibility, especially if the bruises can't be explained or if the explanations change or don't match the injury. Compression, or wrapping the bruised area with an elastic bandage (such as an Ace wrap), will help reduce swelling. You can also put direct pressure on the area for 15 minutes at a time. Most bruises heal by themselves. I am wondering if anyone else out there gets random bruise like spots on their skin that aren't actually bruises? Her specialties include content creation, social media and brand clarity. You are in an area where heavy traffic or other problems may slow you down. Has the number or size of bruises or blood spots increased for no clear reason? Acting confused. Journal of the American Academy of Physician Assistants. Mendy The baby doesn't respond at all to being held, touched, or talked to. It may not feel like a firm lump. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. But don't massage the bruised area if it causes pain. Causes of nonthrombocytopenic purpura can include: Senile purpura is caused by thinning and weakening skin and blood vessels. Based on your answers, the problem may not improve without medical care. The most common cause of a hematoma is injury or trauma to the blood vessels. Most bruises aren't a cause for concern. Call a doctor if any of the following occur during self-care at home: You can help your doctor diagnose and treat your condition by being prepared for your appointment. Unexplained increase in size or number of bruises or blood spots. It will help you to know when to contact your healthcare provider. Purpura isn't a medical condition but a sign of another condition causing the bleeding. Compression, or wrapping the bruised area with an elastic bandage (such as an Ace wrap), will help reduce swelling. If your symptoms arent related to those organs, you can choose the gender you identify with. Learn more about causes . Apply ice or cold packs right away to prevent or reduce swelling. They are tiny, flat, red or purple spots in the skin. This will make sure that the tool asks the right questions for you. It's also been seen with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and T-cell large granular lymphocyte leukemia (T-LGL). Unexplained weight loss. If symptoms get worse or you have any concerns, call your doctor. Instead, they are caused by either an inflammatory skin disease or a vascular problem. Bruises. . Bruises that don't seem to be caused by an accidental injury may be caused by abuse. The blood thinner heparin is the most common cause of drug-related purpura. Based on your answers, you may be able to take care of this problem at home. If you'd like, apply a natural product directly to the bruise. Feeling very weak or having trouble standing. a listing of the legal entities Gently massage or rub the area to relieve pain and encourage blood flow. These include: Abnormal bleeding means any heavy or frequent bleeding or any bleeding that is not normal for you. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. If you see any signs of abuse, you may want to contact a nursing home negligence attorney in Chicago to discuss your familys options. If you are noticing irregular or concerning spots on a loved ones skin, you should seek help. Shock is a life-threatening condition that may quickly occur after a sudden illness or injury. A medicine, such as aspirin or blood thinners (, An infection that causes the buildup of toxin in the blood or tissues (. Damaged blood vessels leak even though platelet counts are in the normal range. A regular bruise is more spread out. If the doctor gave you a prescription medicine for pain, take it as prescribed. Details. Women tend to bruise more than men do. Warfarin-induced skin necrosis starts with purpura, then progresses to: This condition most often affects specific areas of the body. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. These things include hot showers, hot tubs, hot packs, and drinks that contain alcohol. Tests can find abnormal blood cells or too few of the platelets that normally help your blood clot. Smoking slows healing because it decreases blood supply and delays tissue repair. If you have some organs of both sexes, you may need to go through this triage tool twice (once as "male" and once as "female"). Bruise-like spots on the skin occur for many reasons, so while it is important not to panic, it is also beneficial to closely monitor the situation. They will go away on their own. But based on your answers, the safest and quickest way for you to get the care you need is to call 911 for medical transport to the hospital. They are tiny, flat, red or purple spots in the skin. The last thing a medical professional would think of is bedbug! For the first 48 hours after an injury, avoid things that might increase swelling. A hematoma is not the same as a bruise, though you may find a hematoma within a bruise. Solar purpura is a skin condition that causes purple spots or bruises when small blood vessels leak under the skin. they don't hurt, have mostly been on my legs. These include: Shock is a life-threatening condition that may occur quickly after a sudden illness or injury. Now that youve learned about the differences between bruises, sTDIs and other similar skin conditions, what do you think? open in new tab, Events & Classes Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. However, purpura spots are not the result of blunt force trauma. Petechiae don't look like bruises. Bruises and Blood Spots Under the Skin | Kaiser Permanente Guest These can be flat spots like purpura or they can be raised spots or bumps like angiomas or keloids. Call or text 800-934-6555 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form. These changes, along with skin damage from exposure to the sun, cause blood vessels to break easily. They happen when small blood vessels leak blood under your skin's surface. What Causes Unexplained Bruising on the Legs or Elsewhere on the Body? However, purpura spots are not the result of blunt force trauma. A tendency to bruise easily sometimes runs in families. These can be treated like a normal cut. Not feeling alert or able to think clearly. This can be a symptom of a more serious health problem. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. This article discusses the symptoms, causes, and ways to manage solar purpura. Wed love to hear more about your experiences please leave your comments below. Wound Care Education Instituteprovides online and onsite courses in the fields of Skin, Wound, Diabetic and Ostomy Management. The color can range from a reddish purple to a very dark purple. Apply ice or cold packs right away to prevent or reduce swelling. 1995-2023 Healthwise, Incorporated. Bloodcancer.org. The problem is likely to get worse without medical care. what might look like a bruise at first glance could really be a suspected deep tissue injury, purpura . Bruises form when small blood vessels under the skin tear or rupture, most often from a bump or fall. This gives the skin a spongy, rubbery, lumpy feel. A bruise on a leg usually will take longer to heal than a bruise on the face or arms. Melanoma that looks like a bruise Melanoma can develop anywhere on the skin, including the bottom of the foot, where it can look like a bruise as shown here. Try to keep the area at or above the level of your heart to help reduce swelling. For DIC, the cause of purpura needs to be treated. A bruise on a leg usually will take longer to heal than a bruise on the face or arms. For example, Coumadin (warfarin) is a blood thinner often prescribed to older adults. Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. What are these spots on my skin? : r/AskDoctorSmeeee - Reddit Bruising easily doesn't mean you have a serious health problem, especially if bruising is minimal or only shows up once in a while. The problem probably will not get better without medical care. Nonthrombocytopenic purpura doesn't have specific treatments. Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. These include: Abnormal bleeding means any heavy or frequent bleeding or any bleeding that is not normal for you. Fill out the form below for a fast and FREE review of your case, and get the best options for getting the help you need now! Women bruise more easily than men, especially from minor injuries on the thighs, buttocks, and upper arms. It's important to consider this possibility, especially if the bruises can't be explained or if the explanations change or don't match the injury. If the symptoms get worse, seek care sooner. Sometimes the area of the bruise spreads down the body in the direction of gravity. they don't hurt, have mostly been on my legs. As a person ages, the skin becomes less flexible and thinner because there is less fat under the skin. Bruises develop when small blood vessels under the skin tear or rupture, most often from a bump or fall. Blood leaks into tissues under the skin and causes the black-and-blue colour. Blood leaks into tissues under the skin and causes the black-and-blue color. For the first 48 hours after an injury, avoid things that might increase swelling. As an eight-time Wild On Wounds conference staff member and an alumna of WCEI's training program for wound care marketing professionals, she loves the exceptional passion of clinicians who treat wounds. . Babies and young children often have several symptoms of shock. Call your doctor today to discuss the symptoms and arrange for care. Cureus. A medical professional may be able to help. Have you been able to distinguish the true identity of patient lesions in the past, or has it been difficult to properly assess them? If you cannot reach your doctor or you don't have one, seek care today. Or wait . A few examples are: Symptoms of serious illness in a baby may include the following: Certain health conditions and medicines weaken the immune system's ability to fight off infection and illness. 2019;11(8):e5478. Solar purpura is caused by leaking blood vessels under the skin, usually as aging skin thins and blood vessels weaken. The others do. Also, taking a nonprescription medicine with a blood thinner may increase your risk of bruising and bleeding. Reply STOP to cancel, HELP for help. or something else. Hemosiderin staining looks like a patch of skin that is a darker color than the surrounding skin. In some cases after an injury, blood collects and pools under the skin (hematoma). If you are not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask your doctor if you can take an over-the-counter medicine. The baby is limp and floppy like a rag doll. These include: Abnormal bleeding means any heavy or frequent bleeding or any bleeding that is not normal for you. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. As bruises (contusions) heal, they often turn colors, including purplish black, reddish blue, or yellowish green. They include: Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia is caused by an immune response to heparin. Bleeding that doesn't stop after a few minutes. Purpura all over the body is one sign of disseminated intravascular coagulation. Bruises and Blood Spots Under the Skin - Skin Center Bruises are most common in injuries to the forearms, hands, legs, and feet. It is important to educate yourself on the causes of irregularities that are concerning you in order to monitor spots on the skin, understand what causes bruise-like spots on skin, and know when to get help. Not feeling alert or able to think clearly. MedlinePlus. Solar Purpura: Symptoms, Causes, and Management - Verywell Health Repeat a few times per day for up to 48 hours. On dark skin, the patches appear dark brown or black. What medications can cause solar purpura? See Photo Petichae. Not feeling alert or able to think clearly. This gives the skin a spongy, rubbery, lumpy feel. Some of the complications that people with solar purpura may have are skin cuts and tears. Call your doctor now to discuss the symptoms and arrange for care. Try to keep the area at or above the level of your heart to help reduce swelling. Sometimes people don't want to call 911. Sometimes people don't want to call 911. Age spots, for example, can be due to aging skin cells that are overproducing the pigment that darkens the skin. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy for cancer. But when you are older and get a bruise, you also can get small cuts and tears in the area of the bruising. Bruises and Blood Spots Under the Skin Overview Bruises form when small blood vessels under the skin tear or rupture, most often from a bump or fall. Excessive sunlight exposure is a main cause, so exposed areas like the limbs are most often affected. Apply the ice or cold pack for 10 to 20 minutes, 3 or more times a day. Purpura: Bruise-Like Spots on Skin That Aren't Bruises - Verywell Health See terms and privacy here. Learn how we develop our content. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. Ice will reduce pain and swelling. National Library of Medicine. It's one symptom of thrombocytopenia. Vaginal bleeding that is different (heavier, more frequent, at a different time of month) than what you are used to. As you age, your skin thins and loses its fatty protective layer, as well as collagen and elastin supporting the blood vessels, which leads to more bruises. "Hardware" includes things like artificial joints, plates or screws, catheters, and medicine pumps. Home treatment may speed healing and relieve the swelling and soreness from bruises that are caused by injury.