Bright red bruises on arms.

I've had them for years, probably since my late 50s, esp if I scrape my arm against anything (without breaking the skin). Strangely, it only occurs between elbow and wrist on both arms, absolutely nowhere else!

An NHS dermatologist told me they are essentially bruises. They look the way they do because the skin is so thin

I was on Steroids for 8 years, years back and still my skin is paper thin, and I get lots of these discoloured patches. Also if I scrape myself on anything the skin just peels back like a tissue layer, horrible but nothing can be done about that except moisturising as someone else pointed out.

I've also started getting these bright red marks, think they come after I've knocked myself in the garden, they disappear after a couple of weeks so have never bothered about them, just thought another old lady thing!
Also recently just started weeping from one eye, most days it seems to start watering, always the same eye. Anybody else have this?

The ones caused by blood thinners are very large red/purple bruises like these.

I've got little red dots all over my legs below the knee,i decided to ask the village pharmacist about two years ago,he said they were blood spots and to mention it the G.P next time i go(touch wood i haven't had reason to go) and i'd already had them for years before that,now it's Summer clothes weather i notice them more.

I get these and asked the doctor about it. He shrugged!

MacCavity2

I know I’m awkward and rush around but does anyone know what causes these red bruises. I use arnica cream but is it a lack of collagen or a vitamin. Also past my sell by date.

If you get unexplained 'bruises' you should get them checked. Unexplained bruises can be a symptom of an underlying health condition

My DH started getting this when he was on steroids. Apparently steroids can cause it. However, he has been off steroids for a while now and he is still getting it.

That's interesting, keepingquiet. I didn't know that. So this purple bruise on my hand at the moment is purpura then.
Harmless I imagine.
Thanks.
PS. I'm on blood thinners. Perhaps that's why I get so many of these.

Thank you so much for your response to my post. I’m not on blood thinners and take vitamin D regularly. From now on I’ll be using sun cream on my arms as I’m fed up of people commenting on my Celtic skin.

Whitewavemark2

Interesting. I’ve just looked it up, and it occurs almost exclusively in Europeans - because our skin gets so easily sun damaged.

Another reason to use maximum factor.

But how do you know which ones are safe?

Interesting. I’ve just looked it up, and it occurs almost exclusively in Europeans - because our skin gets so easily sun damaged.

Another reason to use maximum factor.

Most certainly to be medication causing this ……I am on blood pressure thinners and I get these red bruises regularly

GrannyGravy13

Aging definitely isn’t for wimps

It doesn't come on it's own!

DH gets them even if he just knocks himself slightly; he's on blood thinners.

Aging definitely isn’t for wimps

Sarnia

Any unexplained bruising needs to be seen by a professional.

Don't think this does.

I could open a chemist shop with all the different lotions and potions that I keep buying. If I go away from home I have to take everything with me as you can guarantee the very thing I don't take is the thing I need eg last time I went away my hands erupted with exzema [sp].

Any unexplained bruising needs to be seen by a professional.

It is all quite interesting though. Even if it is a pain in the arse. What I find is that old age is blimmin’ high maintenance, with all the lotions and potions etc.

Two days ago I bought a very heavy bag of shopping (think 15lb or so, I hadn’t given it any thought) and had to carry it back to the car up a hill as a result of not thinking things through. Yesterday I was completely wiped out, and although much better still recovering today.

Lesson learned!

My skin is now so thin that I shaved my legs for the first time in ages the other day and took a layer of skin off! Thank goodness I just missed a vein in my leg. I’ve started using Hydromol in an attempt to keep my skin moisturised. I’ve always bruised easily but that’s now on another level. I might try taking arnica in tablet form as well as using the cream. Old age comes with so many unexpected problems and I’m trying to keep on top of these new skin problems. I’ve always kept out of the sun, too, so wasn’t expecting this to happen.

They’re very common in older people as our skin becomes thinner. It’s important to use body lotion or cream on your arms every day to keep the skin well hydrated as well as making sure that you drink enough water

Arteries don't bleed under the skin. Arterial bleeding is serious and life-threatening. I think purpura is the right word here and not much to be done.
I used to bruise ridiculously easily but now it's not so bad and I don't know why? Maybe Vit D?

PS. meant to say, sometimes they are bright red, sometimes purple. Presumably the difference is when they are from a vein or an artery.