As your skin grows thinner with age, you're likely to bruise more easily, according to the Mayo Clinic. You might not recall that ding to your arm or shin, but the spreading purple blotch--a bruise--reminds you that at some point your body was injured when it bumped up against something hard. Although bruising is common in your golden years, the Mayo Clinic states that there could be other reasons for thinning skin and easy bruising.
Bruises Explained
A bruise can be caused by falls, injuries and blows from objects and other people. Although the injury doesn't break your skin and cause a wound, it does make the tiny vessels under your skin rupture. Blood then seeps into the soft tissue right beneath your skin, explains Scott & White Healthcare, accounting for the unusual color of your bruise. Depending on the severity of the injury, bruises may last from days to weeks, initially turning pink or red, then bluish in hue and then greenish-yellow. Eventually your skin returns to its normal tone after the blood is reabsorbed into your body.
Easy Bruising
Age-related bruising is due to two factors, says the Mayo Clinic. First, your capillaries are more fragile than they were when you were younger, so they rupture easily on contact. Secondly, your skin becomes thinner; it cannot afford you the protection it used to. The National Institutes of Health also notes that as your skin ages and thins, your sensitivity to touch and pressure becomes less acute, further increasing your risk for injury.
Aging and Your Skin
Thinning skin is an unavoidable part of the natural aging process. The American Academy of Dermatology explains that as you grow older, the collagen and elastin that make up your skin weaken. Wrinkles and sagging are cosmetic signs of aging. However, your skin also loses the padding of fat that protects your capillaries from external damage. Yet another contributing factor to aging, thinning skin is sun exposure, states the Mayo Clinic.
Treating Bruises
There's little you can do to treat a bruise once it appears on your skin. However, if you sustain an injury, the Mayo Clinic advises that you apply an ice pack to the skin for 20 minutes. Elevate the injured area if possible. Once swelling subsides, apply a warm compress to prevent blood from pooling. Self-care may do the trick for small bruises; however, the Mayo Clinic stresses the importance of seeing a doctor when a bruise is particularly large and painful or if bruises appear for no reason, especially if you're taking a new medication or notice bleeding in other areas, such as the nose and gums. Medications called corticosteroids can also make your skin thinner, says the Mayo Clinic. Use of blood-thinning medications can also cause easy bruising.
Prevention
If you're concerned about thin skin and easy bruising, your best preventive strategy is simply to be very careful, states Scott & White Health. Take extra precautions when using step-ladders, and don't stand or kneel on counters and other raised surfaces. The Mayo Clinic suggests clearing your home of superfluous clutter, reducing your risk for a trip-and-fall. Wear long skirts and pants to protect your skin when you come into contact with something sharp. Finally, protect your skin by avoiding prolonged sun exposure.
