A bruise is a skin injury causing discoloration of the skin. It happens when something forcefully strikes your skin and damages blood cells beneath the skin. These damaged cells or vessels collect near the surface of the skin and cause a black and blue mark. Some people bruise easily – they do not even remember if they have bumped into something.

Why Do I Bruise So Easily?

So many factors go into deciding how easy it is for you to see those black and blue marks on your skin. Here are some possible reasons:

1. Age

With age, you will start losing the protective fatty layer under your skin that protects tiny blood vessels from damage. In the old age, the production of collage slows considerably which in turn makes your skin thinner. It is for these changes that you are more likely to get bruises as you get older.

2. Purpuric Dermatosis

Quite common in the elderly, the condition causes thousands of bruises to appear on your body, especially on your shins. These tiny marks look like cayenne pepper from afar and are usually the outcome of blood leaking out of tiny capillaries underneath your skin.

3. Excessive Strain While Exercising

If you are into bodybuilding and put serious strain on your muscles, you may notice bruises on your body. These bruises are the outcome of damaged blood vessels that burst under strain. Strenuous exercise may also cause microscopic tears in your muscle fiber, and this again causes bruises to appear. Being in sports and doing vigorous exercise put you at a greater risk of experiencing small traumas, which are too small to remember but are serious enough to cause bruises.

4. Family History

Why do I bruise so easily? Is there someone in your family who has the same issue? If that is the case, you are always at a greater risk of experiencing the same. Still, you can work with your doctor and take certain steps to deal with this genetic tendency.

5. Pale Skin

Pale skin itself does not increase your risk of bruising, but you are more likely to notice even the smallest bruises when your skin is pale. People with darker skin tone do not usually notice these bruises.

6. Sun Damage

If you have sensitive skin, you are more likely to see bruises on your body after spending time out in the sun. You will see bruises on your arm due to chronic sun damage. This sensitivity weakens your skin and you notice bruises even after slight bumps. It is, therefore, a good idea to protect your skin from sun damage. Wear protective clothing and slather on that sunscreen to protect your skin.

7. Alcohol Consumption

Why do I bruise so easily? You may ask. It could be associated with your alcohol consumption. Excessive alcohol consumption increases your risk of falls and this will result in bruising. On the other hand, alcohol works as a blood-thinner and also lowers levels of vitamin C in your body.  That is the reason why blood cells spread easily after a slight bump.

8. Vitamin C Deficiency

Just like alcohol, there are other factors lowering the levels of vitamin-C in your body. Without enough vitamin-C in your body, your wounds will take long to heal. At the same time, you will be bruise easily too. Vitamin C also plays a role in the production of collagen that protects your blood vessels from damage after an impact. If you bruise easily, your wounds take long to heal, and you experience other problems such as swollen joints, bleeding gums, depression, and fatigue, you probably need to increase your intake of vitamin-C rich food.

9. Certain Medication

Anti-platelet agents, anticoagulant medications, aspiring, and other blood-thinning medications make it difficult for your blood to clot. This results in quick bleeding from capillaries after a slight bump. You notice a bruise if enough blood leaks out after an impact. Some dietary supplements such as ginkgo and fish oil may also produce the same effect because of their blood-thinning effect. Your skin may also become thin if you are taking systemic or topical corticosteroids to treat conditions such as asthma, allergies, and eczema.

Keep in mind that even though certain medications increase your risk of bruising, you should not stop taking them without consulting your doctor. Also, ensure that you tell your doctor about any supplement you are taking because they may have blood-thinning properties.

When to Worry about Easy Bruising

Why do I bruise so easily? Does it indicate something serious? There're many possible causes of those bruises and the truth is that you do not always need to worry about easy bruising, but sometimes, it indicates a blood disease, a blood-clotting problem, or another serious underlying condition. You should talk to your doctor if you:

• Notice large bruises quite frequently, especially on your back, trunk, or face
• Bruise easily and also have a history of surgical bleeding
• Have suddenly started noticing bruises, especially after starting a medication

Sometimes, these symptoms indicate abnormally functioning platelets that lead to poor blood clotting. There may also be problems associated with proteins that help with clotting. Your doctor will order blood test to determine the ability of the blood to clot and to identify what is causing the issue.