Bruises or bruises without bumps: why do they happen?

Why do I have spontaneous bruising?

You don't remember hitting yourself, so why did you have bruises or bruises on your legs or other part of your body? Is it cause for concern?

Capillary fragility

It can be one of the causes of bruising without previous blows. It may be due to genetic disorders that produce alterations in the structure of the vessels and predispose to their fragility, as well as acquired situations that increase it. This is the case of advanced age, the intake of corticosteroids or prolonged exposure to the sun, which cause a decrease in the support tissue that surrounds the vessels, so they break easily.

Low platelet level

There are certain disorders that reduce the number of platelets and that have spontaneous bruises as a symptom. If this is the cause, the most common is that it is a picture of "thrombopenic purpura", which is characterized by a decrease in platelets as a consequence of the presence of antibodies that favor their destruction.

Medicines

Aspirin, corticosteroids, blood thinners, and some fish supplements can cause bruising.

Too intense sport

Vigorous physical exercise has been associated with spontaneous bruising, which can affect not only the skin, but also internal organs, such as the kidneys. The cause of its appearance is sudden changes in circulation. To prevent them, opt for moderate exercise and adequate hydration.

Premenstrual syndrome

In the days before the period comes, it is easier for spontaneous bruises to appear on the arms or legs.

Pregnancy

Apart from the hormonal changes that take place in this stage, in pregnancy, the most important cause is the decrease in the number of platelets, called gestational thrombopenia, which is physiological, benign and does not require treatment.

When do I have to go to the doctor?

The doctor should be consulted when the bruise has appeared suddenly, is very large, or is located in unusual areas such as the chest, abdomen, and back. If bruises appear in any of these areas, you should see your doctor immediately. It is also a sign of alarm that bruises are accompanied by bleeding from the mucous membranes of the nose or gums.

It is a common situation: you have had a bruise on your legs or in some other part of the body and you do not know why, since you do not remember having hit you. What could it be due to? And most importantly … should you worry? It depends. As Dr. José Antonio Páramo, from the Hematology service of the Clínica Universidad de Navarra points out, most of the time spontaneous bruising is due to benign causes such as fragility of blood vessels or circulation problems, although they are not the unique.

What are bruises and why do they come out spontaneously?

Hematomas or bruises are caused by the leakage of red blood cells from the blood and their accumulation in the skin. This can be caused, in addition to a blow, by other causes: alterations in circulation; disorders of the wall of blood vessels; alterations in platelet levels, and also by certain medications.

In addition, there are certain habits or temporary states that also favor the appearance of bruises without having hit you. Practicing excessive intense exercise, being pregnant or the days before having your period are times and situations prone to bruises.

Do bruises without previous blows indicate a serious illness?

In general, bruises are benign processes that are confined to the skin and resolve spontaneously, although they may be the first sign of a more serious process, which requires a physical examination and appropriate laboratory tests to identify the origin. For example, they can be the initial manifestation of serious hematological diseases such as bone marrow failure or acute leukemias.

When should I be concerned?

The doctor should be consulted when the bruise has appeared suddenly, is very large, or is located in unusual areas, such as the chest, abdomen, and back. If bruises appear in any of these areas, you should see your doctor immediately. In addition, when the bruises are accompanied by bleeding from the mucous membranes of the nose, gums, etc., it is important to go to the doctor, since in that case there could be a congenital or acquired blood clotting disorder.

And if they have already left … how to remove the bruises?

By themselves. Bruising on the skin usually disappears spontaneously within 1-2 weeks without requiring any treatment, but some measures can speed up the process.
With ointments. Some topical creams (for example, pentosan polysulfate sodium) facilitate the resorption of bruises. Apply a thin layer to the area.
Ice. In the first days it is advisable to apply ice for a few minutes. That prevents inflammation and helps it go away sooner. If it is on a limb, it is also good to raise it.
Warm cloths. From the second or third day of its appearance, you can apply warm (not hot) cloths to increase blood flow to the damaged tissue and accelerate its recovery.