This is typically due to being active, playing sports, or moving quickly. Bruises usually heal without treatment, but raising the bruised part and applying ice covered in a cloth may help reduce swelling. Purpura is more common in people with light skin, but anyone can develop it. Growing up in Louisiana with addiction running rampant on both sides of my family. A life away from drugs and alcohol seemed impossible for someone like me. I remember what it was like sitting across from someone thinking there is no way they could ever understand what I was going through.
- The CDC defines binge drinking as drinking that brings your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to 0.08% or more.
- We also have the risk of alcohol-induced seizures, which are common during binge drinking.
- If you drink heavily, regularly, or both, your alcohol use could be the cause of your bruise.
How to Avoid Getting Bruises From Alcohol
Steroid medications such as prednisone can cause thinning of the skin, and people taking these medicines may notice that they tend to bruise more easily. Certain chemotherapy drugs can lead to low platelet levels and increase the risk of bruising and bleeding. Women who experience heavy periods may be more susceptible to bruising easily from even minor injuries. This is usually due to lower iron levels caused by significant loss of blood.
Stages of Alcoholism
Finally, excessive alcohol consumption can result in falls or other accidents that result in bruises. These could be signs of an underlying medical condition impairing clotting and platelet function. Bleeding disorders, liver disease, blood cancers, vitamin deficiencies, autoimmune disorders, and certain medications can all inhibit normal clotting.
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Either the abuser or the person being abused may say that visible injuries are simply due to easy bruising. Those biological changes pave the way for the second stage, which is marked by a physical dependence on the drug. Drinking at this point isn’t about feeling good — it’s about not feeling bad and avoiding the uncomfortable sensations that accompany acute withdrawal. Lee says one of the most common reasons people bruise easily is the food Alcoholics Anonymous they eat. “Healthy food such as garlic, ginger, ginkgo, green tea, salmon, and turmeric all can thin the blood and make you more prone to bruising,” Lee says.
But your central nervous system slows down, and the signal is impaired. Shaking cocktails is the most common way to bruise drinks as it’s more efficient at mixing the ingredients together and aerating them. It’s a technique bartenders use for drinks that contain delicate ingredients, such as herbs and fruit, which can be easily overpowered by mixing too aggressively.
Impaired Platelet Function
If you’re not consciously keeping track of the drinks do alcoholics bruise easily you’ve chugged, it’s easy to go over these limits. 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. It’s much less common, but severe and unexplainable bruising can be a sign of a blood cancer, such as leukemia.
Drinking too much alcohol may lead to a tingling sensation or numbness in your legs, feet, or hands, known as alcoholic neuropathy. This is one of the most common side effects of long-term alcohol consumption. Additionally, drinking can aggravate certain skin conditions, such as psoriasis and rosacea. I have been doing the sessions for the last few weeks and it has been a life changer experience. They will educate you on ABC Medication, breathing technique and nutrition. If you’re ready to take the first step on your road to recovery, we’re here for you.
Alcohol Use and Your Health Alcohol Use
Pace yourself and limit alcohol intake to Substance abuse minimize impairment and risks. People diagnosed with a mast cell disorder also may bruise easily. These immune system disorders, with subtypes that range from the comparatively mild to life-threatening, are genetic and rare. Frequent bruises can be a sign of physical abuse, whether in a child or an older person. Aside from a physical exam to look at any bruises, your healthcare provider will likely ask you questions about your family medical history.
When to contact a doctor
In people with inherited bleeding disorders such as hemophilia and von Willebrand disease, the blood does not form clots due to a deficiency of blood-clotting substances. The inability to form blood clots can lead to easy bruising, spontaneous bleeding, or excessive bleeding following injuries or surgery. It affects approximately 12% of individuals over 50 and up to 30% of those 75 and older. It causes dark purple lesions, usually on the arms and hands, which may appear after minor injuries but last longer than typical bruises.
However, not all people with these disorders know about a family history of the disorder. Bone bruises usually last longer (1-2 months) than soft tissue bruises, and they’re more painful, but most will heal with rest and the same home care as for other types of bruises. Your doctor will likely suggest you use a brace or crutches for bone bruises in your legs and feet. Over time, drinking a lot of alcohol can cause many health problems.