Resolved question:
Hi doc, I am a skinny lady who is quite prone to bruising and usually they are on my legs and nowhere else. Most of the bruises i had were due to hitting onto something hard or due to some injuries which I can recall of. This morning when i woke up, I found this thumb sized bruise on my left leg which i couldnt really remember whats the cause of it and I started panicking and the first thought that came across my mind was cancer (leukaemia). This new bruise on my leg isnt those reddish purplish or bumpy kind of bruises.. Its flat and greenish in colour which is quite fade. I am really worried its cancer related issues.. I dont have any other symptoms other than this bruises.
Submitted:
4 Days
Category:
Family Physician-GP
Hello,
Thank you for using DoctorSpring services. The type of bruises you keep getting is due to increased capillary fragility, which can be inborn in some individuals. The type of bruises one get in cancer (leukemia) is due to low platelet counts and increased bleeding tendency.
So in some cases both may appear same, but the mechanisms behind it are different. I would like to know some additional details so that I can give you a solid opinion. For how long are you having this phenomenon ? Do you have dermatographism - That means if you draw or write something on your skin with a pencil or sharp object , will it popup ? Regarding this new bruise, is there any other bruises in any other part of your body, which looks similar ? Is there any itching ?
You can reply as a followup
Thank you
Hi! thanks so much for the reply.
I have been having it for a year or maybe 2? But its an on and off thing. Sometimes it doesnt show up that often but sometimes it shows up like once a week. However, the bruises are usually one or just 2 on my legs and they heal within 4-5 days. No bumps or anything.
Yea I think I do have some slight dermatographism. When I use a sharp object to draw on my skin, this thin lining of red line will pop up.. but goes away after a few mins.
This new bruise is on my left leg which was found today. Yesterday I had another bruise on my right feet and that was because a table fell onto my right foot a day ago which explains that bruise. They are not big. There isnt any itching.
Hello,
These bruises appear to be due to increased capillary fragility (NOT bleeding manifestations) and hence unlikely to be cancer related. If the bruises keep recurring without any cause and/or if you have any other symptoms you should consider getting it evaluated. Otherwise you can just leave it alone.
Hope this helps
Please feel free to ask followup questions.
Thank you
okay, may I know why are my legs more prone to bruising? A knock on my leg and I will have a bruise a day later.. However places like my hands are not that prone to bruising..
If this have been on going for years, can I say that the chances of it being related to cancer is lower? Because if its cancer related, other symptoms would have shown up within this one year or two. Can I say that?
Hello,
There are definite individual variations on the predisposition and occurrence (legs, arms, trunk etc) of the bruising. Legs are mostly in a dependent position, so the gravity related pooling of venous blood is more in the legs, especially during day time. (You are mostly likely to get bruised during day time , as you are more active).
This will effort a back pressure in the capillaries causing it to be more fragile This could be one of the main reason. And yes your assumption is right. If the bruises are going on for years, the chances for cancer is even less.
Hope this helps
Thank you
If a person like me who dont take vegetables at all for the past 18 years, does it increase the chance that my bruises are due to vitamin deficiency?
I have been consuming spinach juice for the past 7 days and was wondering why that bruise still show up. Can I know roughly how many days of consuming spinach juice will i then be able to see the effect in reduction of bruises?
Hello,
Spinach juice might not have an effect on bruises. This is unlikely to be related to Vitamin deficiency. Consuming more vegetables will improve your general health though.
Thank you