Or maybe, you’re getting a ton of bruises out of nowhere for no discernible reason.

Meet the Experts

What Is a Bruise?

Bruises form when blood vessels beneath the skin rupture and the blood leaks into the surrounding area.

Woman holding arm

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Medication

Various medicines make people more sensitive to bruising.

Additionally, steroids like prednisone and hydrocortisone can thin your skin and may lead you to bruise easily.

The fatty layer that provides some protection against bruising also thins with aging.

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Most often, these bruises will be on the hands, legs, forearms, and feet.

Were not talking about junk food here, either.

Vitamin Deficiencies

Sometimes bruising occurs due to vitamin deficiencies.

woman working out with kettlebell

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Among all the issues that cause people to bruise easily, this one isnt all that common.

Kouri says vitamin K deficiency is rare in adults and more common among infants.

Another bleeding disease that sometimes contributes to bruising is hemophilia.

Doctors can check your platelet levels using a simple blood test.

Genetics

Notice that your parents and siblings bruise easily, too?

Sometimes a tendency to bruise runs in families, and women tend to bruise more easily than men.

Fair skin can also make bruises more obvious.

Intense Workouts

Sometimes bruises seem to appear out of nowhere afterweightliftingor any other intense workout.

However, it is not typical and highly unusual.

Leukemia

Among the more serious causes of bruising is leukemiaa cancer of the blood cells.

Only a doctor can diagnose leukemia, so set up an appointment if you have concerns.

Diabetes

It is important to note diabetes itself is not a direct cause of bruising.

However, it can make one more susceptible to bruising.

Cushing Syndrome

Research indicates Cushing Syndrome is because of prolonged exposure to high circulating levels of cortisol.

“Excess cortisol can lead to increased bruising,” Dr. Posnia says.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Von Willebrand Disease (VWD).

Updated April 1, 2021.

MyHealth.Alberta.Ca.Learning about solar purpura.

Updated July 2, 2020.

Chaudhry HS, Singh G. Cushing syndrome.

StatPearls Publishing; 2021.

Fraser IM, Dean M.Extensive bruising secondary to vitamin C deficiency.BMJ Case Rep. 2009;2009:bcr08.2008.0750.