-
Bruises
*Disclaimer: I am not a doctor or any type of medical practitioner, I have no medical degrees. If you have concerns about bruising please consult your physician.*
I bruise easily so when we started D/s and spankings I researched why and what I could do about it. I did a web search for “Why do I bruise easily?” And I thought I would share some of the information I found.
Bruises typically form when a localized injury, such a blow or impact, causes capillaries to break open and leak red blood cells under the skin.
There are a few other factors besides the initial blow that contribute to bruising easily.
– Medical conditions. There are some rare illnesses that cause bruising, but the keyword here is “rare,” like purpuric dermatosis, hemophilia, leukemia. These include diseases that lower our blood’s platelet count.
– Genes. If you have close family members that tend to bruise easily, there is a chance you will too.
– Age. As you get older your skin loses some of the protective fatty layer that provides cushioning and you skin also becomes thinner and more easily torn so it takes less force to bruise than when you were younger.
– Sun damage. Excessive sun exposure, especially the kind that leads to burning, can cause your skin to lose its pliability and resilience which makes bruising easier.
– Medication. Aspirin, ibuprofen, anticoagulant medications, and anti-platelet agents thin your blood and reduce it’s clotting ability. Some medications including aspirin, corticosteroids like prednisone and prednisolone, oral contraceptives, and others may thin your skin and weaken your blood vessels. (Consult your physician before changing dosage or discontinuing any medication.)
– Dietary supplements. Some supplements like fish oil and ginkgo have a blood thinning effects.
– Alcohol. Besides reduced motor control which can lead to a higher likely hood of stumbling and knocking into things, alcohol can act as a blood-thinner and decrease vitamin C levels.Things that might reduce your amount of bruising.
– Diet. One of the best ways to ensure that your capillaries remain strong and flexible is to make sure you have an excellent source of bioflavonoids in your diet which can come from dark-colored berries, dark leafy greens, and onions. Vitamin K is the clotting vitamin and comes from leafy greens and other vegetables including broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage. And vitamin C is needed for the health and repair of various tissues in your body, including skin, bone, teeth, and cartilage. Foods rich in vitamin C include citrus fruits (oranges, grapefruit, lemons, limes), berries (black currants, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, cranberries), melons (cantaloupe, watermelon), Kiwi fruit, and vegetables like spinach, green and red peppers, tomatoes, cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts and potatoes.
– Medication. Use acetaminophen to reduce pain and swelling, and avoid aspirin and ibuprofen as they are blood-thinners.
– Ice and heat. Cold slows down blood flow to an injury and will help reduce pain and swelling. Apply an ice or cold pack right away to minimize bruising and swelling. Apply the ice or cold pack for 10 to 20 minutes, 3 or more times a day. After 48 to 72 hours, if swelling is gone, apply heat to the area that hurts, the more severe the bruise the longer you should wait to apply heat. Do not apply ice or heat directly to the skin, place a towel over the cold or heat pack before applying it to the skin.*Disclaimer: I am not a doctor or any type of medical practitioner, I have no medical degrees. If you have concerns about bruising please consult your physician.*
Log in to reply.