It can help to give you a clearer picture of the ailments, sensations and changes to your body that might happen as a result of alcoholism. Symptoms of iron deficiency typically include tiredness, fatigue, shortness of breath, paleness, and heart palpitations. Purpura is more common in people with light skin, but anyone can develop it. On dark skin tones, purpura may appear purple or as darker skin. Sunnyside is not designed to treat alcohol use disorder (AUD).
What Causes Bruising?
Chronic alcohol misuse has a negative effect on every system of the body. Something people might notice with ongoing, severe alcohol misuse is bruising from alcohol. https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/5-great-tips-for-being-sober-around-drinkers/ So, why do alcoholism and bruising sometimes go hand-in-hand? Learn the answer, as well as how to get help with medication assisted treatment for alcohol use, below.
When You Should See a Doctor About Bruising Easily
- “When your own immune system attacks blood cells or the actual blood vessels themselves, it increases the risk of bruising,” Dr. Kappel says.
- Unfortunately, once a bruise has formed, not much can be done to treat it.
- Frequent bruises can be a sign of physical abuse, whether in a child, adult, or older adult.
- This is because your skin tends to become thinner as you age.
Anyone who experiences these symptoms should seek prompt medical advice, as early treatment is often effective. Blood-thinning medications may cause a person to bleed and bruise more. Plus, you’re more susceptible to an accidental fall or bump after you’ve been drinking, anyway. So when you drink alcohol and injure yourself, you can be left with a bigger, more noticeable bruise than you might see while sober. Mindful drinking offers that middle ground where you’ll proactively improve your drinking habits without any pressure to quit. It centers on being more conscious and thoughtful of how much, how often, and why you drink.
Certain Medications and Supplements
Additionally, drinking can aggravate certain skin conditions, such as psoriasis and rosacea. Some over-the-counter medicines such as aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (like ibuprofen), Plavix® (clopidogrel) and blood thinners (like Coumadin®) can increase your tendency to bruise. So can prescription medicines, such as certain antidepressants. Robert is our health care professional reviewer of this website. He has a nursing and business/technology degrees from The Johns Hopkins University.
After all, heavy alcohol consumption increases the risk of serious injuries from falls, burns, and motor vehicle crashes. Finally, one potentially serious cause of alcohol and bruising is alcohol liver disease. As liver functioning declines from chronic alcohol misuse, a person is likely to bleed and bruise easily. Other signs of an alcohol use disorder include spending a significant amount of time drinking, or consuming larger quantities of alcohol than intended. A person may also develop a tolerance for alcohol, meaning that they need larger and larger amounts to obtain the desired effects.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, please see the National Library of Medicine’s list of signs you need emergency medical attention or call 911. There are more than 100 types of liver disease, according to the American Liver Foundation. On top of that, your blood vessels become more fragile, so even the slightest bump can leave a mark. “The more physically active you are, the more likely you are to bruise or bleed,” says Dr. Elliott.
Private outpatient treatment
You’re probably no stranger to bruises — just ask the corner of your coffee table. A person may start to bruise more easily than before for a number of different reasons, though bruising doesn’t necessarily indicate a serious health issue. Bruising easily can have a wide range of possible underlying causes, including blood-clotting problems or a blood disease. The best course of action is to see your doctor and have your situation evaluated.
- However, the occasional bruise or a bruise due to an accident, typically isn’t a cause for concern.
- Right after a tattoo, it’s normal for your skin around your tattoo to be red, irritated, swollen, warm, and sometimes bruised.
- But sometimes your blood isn’t able to form clots as it should.
- Being covered in bruises for no particular reason is another.
Finally, alcoholics may have a deficiency of vitamin C, which is important for healing wounds. If you bruise easily and are worried that it may be a sign of alcoholism, talk to your doctor. For example, blood-thinning medications such as aspirin, warfarin and clopidogrel reduce the blood’s ability to clot. As a result, bleeding from capillary damage might take longer why do alcoholics bruise easily than usual to stop — which allows blood to leak out and cause a bruise. Corticosteroids containing drugs which are used to treat various conditions, including allergies, asthma and eczema, can cause the skin to thin, making it easier to bruise. Certain dietary supplements, such as fish oil and ginkgo, also can increase bruising due to a blood-thinning effect.
- Being banged up because you’re accident prone or work a physical job is one thing.
- If you are experiencing easy bruising as a side effect of medication, do not stop taking it without talking to your provider.
- While throwing up can make you feel miserable, it is one of your body’s self-defense mechanisms to remove excess toxins from the alcohol consumed.
- If any of these factors are slightly off, bruising can occur more easily.
- Certain dietary supplements, such as ginkgo biloba, also can increase bruising risk due to a blood-thinning effect.
- However, giving up alcohol right away isn’t sustainable or desirable for most people.
In these situations, medications called antifibrinolytic agents can be taken to help control bleeding. If a medication is the likely cause of easy bruising, a healthcare provider will discuss its benefits versus risks. Do not stop a medication or change its dosage except under the advice of a healthcare provider.