
“Changing the dose or type of medication might be considered,” says Dr Jecko Thachil, co-author of a 2017 British Medical Journal article about easy bruising in adults. “And the doctor should determine whether the medication is indeed causing the problem.” To this end, they might want to take a detailed medical history from you.
Although bruises are usually no cause for alarm, there are exceptions. If you have one that’s severely swollen and painful, rather than just mildly puffy and sore, your injury might be a sprain or fracture that requires attention. You should also talk with your family doctor if you suddenly get a lot of bruises, if they don’t fade away with time or if they keep showing up for no apparent reason – especially if it’s in less injury-prone areas, such as your back, torso or face. “They could be a sign of medical problems such as scurvy, leukaemia, kidney disease or liver failure,” says Pasquali.
This article originally appeared on Reader’s Digest.