Why do I bruise so easily?

Why is it that some people can knock themselves around with no repercussions and some of us end up with massive blue and purple splotches from the tiniest of bumps?

What is bruising?

When you collide with something, you break the tiny blood vessels that sit below the surface of your skin. Blood leaks out of them – that’s what you see as the discolouration at the point of impact. After a couple of days, your body reabsorbs the blood and your skin looks normal again.

Contributing factors

Women are more likely to bruise than men because they have softer, thinner skin. Bruising often gets worse as you age because you have less of the spongy, fatty layer that protects your blood vessels from bursting. As well as the elderly, underweight people are prone to bruising because of their lack of ‘padding’.

Genetics and pale skin can be the reason for someone being more prone to bruising. It can also be a symptom of a diet that lacks in Vitamin C and folic acid.

Bruising can be worsened by medications such as cortisone cream and steroids that thin your skin. Blood thinning medications can also be to blame – substances like aspirin mean your capillaries take longer to stop bleeding. Even the contraceptive pill has been linked to increased bruising.

It’s also possible for some dietary supplements to thin the blood and cause you to bruise more. And finally, bruising can be the sign of a more concerning medical condition such as leukaemia (if you’re concerned about this, speak to your doctor).

Treatment for bruises

A healthy, nutrient rich diet and a balanced body weight are a great place to start if you want to prevent yourself from bruising easily.

Bruises can mar an otherwise flawless skin and for women, this can be disconcerting if the bruise/s occur on the arms or legs. In itself, a bruise is usually no more than a temporary blemish and to have one now and then is often part of “life’s hard knocks” … but if they are occurring quicker than they are fading, it may be time to seek a solution.

If you do come up with an unsightly black-and-blue mark, try applying Sea Buckthorn Pure Berry and Seed Oil to the affected area as a way to speed up the healing.

And if you are prone to weak skin that damages easily, consider adding a natural supplement to your healthcare Sea Buckthorn Complete Vitality.

We are not healthcare or medical professionals and the information contained here is not to be taken as medical advice. It is recommended that you consult you healthcare professional prior to taking any supplements and always read the label, use only as directed, and if symptoms persist, see your healthcare professional.