How Do I Get These Mysterious Bruises When I Don't Bump Into Anything?
No, a jin is not biting you at night.
By Tamara Jayne — 07 Mar 2023, 04:45 PM
So, you've just gotten out of bed or are going about your day when all of sudden, you notice a bruise on your body.
But... you didn't bump into anything.
How did the bruise show up? Is there a little elf pinching you at night?
These are all valid questions that you might be having (believe me, I've been there too many times).
Although the most obvious answer is that you might have hurt yourself in your sleep or while going about your day and just can't recall, that's not always the case.
1. From an intense workout
It's a high chance that you get external bruises from all the jumping, spinning, and moving about that you do when you exercise. However, bruises can also occur from within the body.
According to Healthline, when you strain a muscle or do certain strenuous workouts, such as weightlifting, it can cause blood vessels to burst and leak into the surrounding area, which leads to bruising.
2. From certain medications
Some medications can also cause bruises, as they are meant to prevent blood clots. This results in more blood being released from blood vessels and accumulating under the skin.
But if you end up have excessive bruising, do see a doctor.
3. Due to aging
As you get older, your skin loses collagen and gets thinner. This causes you to lose some of the protective fatty layer that helps cushion blood vessels from injury, making it more fragile and easy to bruise.
Unfortunately, there's not much you can do about this, other than placing an ice pack on the bruise for a few minutes a day, or resting and avoiding too many strenuous activities.
4. From a vitamin or nutrient deficiency
Lacking vitamins and nutrients in your diet can be a common reason for bruising, as they help with many important functions in the blood.
If your blood cells are not healthy, your body won't receive enough oxygen and your skin is more likely to bruise.
In short, if you get sporadic bruises, there's not much to worry about.
But keep an eye out if you are showing other unusual symptoms to see if there could be an underlying issue.
If you're worried, show unusual symptoms, or have excessive bruising, do see a doctor immediately.
The information provided is for educational and communication purposes only and it should not be construed as personal medical advice. Information published in this article is not intended to replace, supplant or augment a consultation with a health professional regarding the reader's own medical care.
