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What Are Possible Diagnoses for Unexplained Bruising?
Bruised leg
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  • Written By: Jacob Queen
  • Edited By: Lauren Fritsky
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    2003-2012
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The most common possible diagnoses for unexplained bruising are injuries the patient doesn't remember. It's not uncommon at all for an individual to suffer some minor bump during the day and forget about it ever happening. After that, they will be confused when they suddenly develop a bruise and they won't know why. There are also some very serious possibilities when a person has unexplained bruising, including various blood diseases and diabetes. Finally, old age is another possible cause of unexplained bruising, and some people get unexplained bruises because they workout too aggressively.

In the case of blood disease, many of them cause the blood to stop clotting properly, and this can result in bruising from very minor physical contact. Some of the disorders that might lead to this sort of unexplained bruising include hemophilia and leukemia. Many of these blood diseases are potentially deadly, and for that reason, it's generally considered very important for individuals to take unexplained bruises seriously.

Sometimes diabetics think that they're suffering with unexplained bruising, but in reality, the marks they find aren't actual bruises. Diabetics can develop patches of discolored skin on certain parts of their bodies, particularly in areas where the skin connects with other skin frequently. These patches are often darker, and the diabetic might think they are bruises, but these areas are actually related to an insulin-resistance-based condition.

In elderly people, the walls of their blood vessels are weaker than in younger people, and they generally have less fat to protect them from impact. This can make them very susceptible to bruising. Sometimes they can be bruised by very minor contact, and they won't have any memory of an injury. This kind of unexplained bruising is usually nothing to be concerned about, but it is generally considered wise for people to have it checked out as a precaution.

Body builders and other people who do a lot of weight lifting can injure themselves unknowingly, and that can result in bruises they can't explain. When people perform these kinds of exercises, they put a lot of strain on their muscles, and blood vessels can burst from the exertion. It's also generally true that any sort of vigorous exercise increases a person's chance for unexplained bruising. When people engage in physically taxing sporting activities, they tend to forget about minor physical impacts, and some of those impacts might be forceful enough to cause a bruise.

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animegal
Post 3

My grandmother bruises very easily. While I know this is a part of aging, can anyone recommend a way to help reduce the amount of unexplained bruising she experiences? I feel quite bad seeing her with little marks.

Sara007
Post 2

I am always bumping into things and forgetting that I did it. With summer coming around, I find I really need to conceal my shins because they tend to have a few nasty bruises from unexpected encounters with my coffee table and other various low-lying objects around my house.

I have found that if you have unexplained bruising you can conceal the marks pretty easily with some light moisturizer or sunscreen, with a bit of your liquid face foundation mixed in.

To give your legs an extra flawless appearance without having to wear stockings, brush over the mixture with some bronzer or light shimmer powder (the kind you use for highlighting your face).

popcorn
Post 1

Your diet could be at fault for unexplained bruising. When you don't get enough iron, vitamins and minerals, it sometimes results in lowering the quality and quantity of your red blood cells, which can result in the bruises.

A doctor can run a simple blood test and let you know if you are lacking anything essential to keeping yourself healthy.

I have found that adding a good quality protein to my diet as well as a multi-vitamin has helped to reduce my bruising.

If you are concerned about unexplained bruising, going to your doctor for a physical can weed out more severe causes.

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