Bruises

I've taken warfarin since 2007 now and had a few knocks and bangs with one thing and another, but never any sign of a bruise or anything
Ellen; I've taken Warfarin even longer and had regular blood tests, often weekly, at a path. lab, and they focus on my INR level. Too high and my thinner blood produces bruises easily; too low and no bruises, so they adjust my daily dose accordingly. Seems like your INR could be low. It's a life choice; too thin and risk a brain bleed; too thick and risk a clot! As someone said, life wasn't meant to be easy!
Btw; I've found as I've matured that my ego bruises far less!

yes i now bruise easily...i undress for bed and find a large bruise on my thigh. then i spot another on the underneath of my arm.i work voluntary in a charity shop so i do gets bumps. but i never realise i have bumped anything..they dont hurt though...

I was told that it's due to loss of fatty tissue and of collagen. Excessive sun-tanning exacerbates the second. Having spent several years in a very sunny, arid region, I can only blame myself. My arms are a horrific sight (sigh). Will certainly try collagen, I didn't know you can actually pump some back in - good news!

I am 70. I've bruised more easily over the years. My dentist asked me to have a particular test done by GP. As it happens, there's nothing wrong. I don't usually remember bumping into anything either. At the moment, I have 5 bruises on one leg. Pictured is the current one on my arm.

Sometimes when limbs have been bruised, especially legs, the skin stays brown where the iron in the blood stains the tissue. I now look like I’ve got brown socks on.
Yes Mabon1 I have been to the doctor.

I don't have any conditions or take any medication except a low dose of thyroxin. I'm usually & luckily very healthy.I'll mention it to doctor next time I go but I rarely have to bother them.
I'll just have to take more care- bought some Arnica today which will soon sort it out. Didn't realise I'd run out until I needed it- I keep it in for the GC usually.

after I began taking a low dose asprin daily I started to bruise much more easily. One morning I woke up with bruising around my eye as if i had been in a fist fight with no history of any trauma to the area. even with concealer and makeup it was still noticeable to others. On my own I decided to stop the asprin regimen. perhaps a bad choice but I guess I have some vanity left even at 77.

I’ve always bruised easily, but lately whenever I get one it takes ages to go and then I get left with what looks like a shadow (a greyish colour) where it was, which stays for ages and ages. Weird.

It is important to keep our skin well moisturised as we get older to keep it supple and less papery. My Mother had problems with bruising and could develop them just sitting in her chair but oyr doctor said it's the blood capilliaries breaking down and leaking rather than as a result of knocking yourself. I don't know if there is a similar cream in England but I used Thrombocid cream on my Mums bruises as it helps disperse the blood so they disappear more quickly. Once I started moisturizing her arms and legs twice a day with a medical grade lotion (Menalind) she developed far less bruising and at the age of 97 still had soft moisturised skin.

I'm not sure if it's a fact " the older you get you bruise more easily " as it's not so in my case but I don't know why.
I've taken warfarin since 2007 now and had a few knocks and bangs with one thing and another, but never any sign of a bruise or anything. A few years back I had the dizziest spell ever and it was all I could do to try and steady myself. As it happened I was indoors,put my arms out to save myself and hit the bedroom wall with a bang on the right side of my face. I expected to see a bruiser of an eye but no---a bit of a swelling on my eyebrow and no bruise ? I wouldn't have gone outdoors if I'd have bruised my face anyway.
I think it depends on the blood vessels being nearer to the surface of the skin in those who bruise easily.

I get small dark purple bruising to my wrists and back of my hands,( aged 64) and I never used to.
I suspect the steroid medication I am on, which causes thinning of the skin.

I've read somewhere that we do indeed bruise more easily as we get older but I can't remember where I read it. One of my neighbours had terrible navy blue legs below the knee due to bruising which seemed to be permanent.
My skin is more sensitive - not only do I bruise more but I get blisters after gardening if I brush against some plants, something which never used to happen. I suspect that gardening gloves are a must but feel clumsy in them.

Bruising is easier if blood thinners - aspirin / clopidogrel/ etc.- are used as the capillaries leak more when knocked.

I do seem to get bad bruising if I catch a limb on anything sharp eg corner of a cupboard. Last year I hit my shin on an iron bar and bruising was so bad folk thought I must have broken my bone. Nope, just bruising. Would have to say I do seem to bruise easier now. For you though, perhaps a quick visit to surgery to check if recent blood test covered causes of increased bruising.

Visit the doctor, we ain't clinicians here on Gransnet.

I too have very thin skin and bruise horribly. Not just on hand and arms but legs as well. I haven’t worn a skirt for years. I also get little flaps of skin lifting if I catch my arms or legs (they’re beginning to look like fish scales!)
I’ve had blood tests and know my blood is ok. I asked the doctor if the steroids in my inhaler could be the cause and he just said ‘no it’s age’.
Might give collagen a try, I’ve tried everything else!

I have osteopenia (hopefully never getting to the osteoporosis stage) and have also found that I bruise easily often without having been aware of any bumps. My legs seem to be the most badly affected probably due to my dog (he's big and frequently leans against me for his ear's to be scratched).
Thank you HannahLoisLuke for the collagen tip I will try that.

Just a thought, but did you have a check for osteoporosis and/or a bone density scan? With me [severe OP] bruising has been exacerbated by the above condition.

The bruising could be caused by medication you are taking or you might have an undiagnosed condition. I would get the doctor to check it out, just for reassurance.

HannahLL - Interesting - I've been taking www.naturesbest.co.uk/colladeen/colladeen-visage/ through the summer (someone suggested it reduces the tendency to burn) - it seemed to work, but also my skin is less papery.

Yes, unfortunately most bruises at "our age" are age related, they are unsightly, but long sleeves are a blessing at this time of year.If taking medicines with Aspirin in, this can make things worse.I have been advising my patients about this for years in my District Nurse capacity.

I also got bruised hands from clapping enthusiastically at a concert! I've always got bruises on my legs and half the time have no idea what I did.

I get it too and checked it with doctor who said the same, it's an age thing.
However, a few months ago I started to mix powdered collegen into hot drinks or soup and have noticed that I'm bruising a lot less. It may just be coincidence of course but I'm pretty sure I'm still knocking my hands and wrists just as much as before but hardly any bruising. I only started to take the collegen powder to improve joints, gums, hair and nails so this has been an added bonus.
If anyone wants to try it I only buy collegen from grass fed organic cattle and my chosen brands are either Swedish or German brands. You can also try marine collegen but I didn't want to risk a fishy taste.

Yes! DH often has purple hands and arms & as others have said ..he never rally knows what he has done. He never worries as his dad was just the same .

Thanks for that link, Fennel.
I have been taking paracetamol & Ibroprofen this week.
At least it is chilly enough for long sleeves today so I can hide my arm