Bruising is a typical problem we regularly see in the older population. When you visit an older person in a nursing home or Alzheimer’s Care Center, do you see any bruises on their arms or hands?
You’ve probably seen this kind of bruising if you’ve ever been around an older person or if you’re not as young as you once were. However, skin discoloration in older adults is usually not caused for alarm.
A lot of the alterations to your skin’s appearance have reasonable explanations. Older adults who bruise easily should examine their skin to see if the fragility has changed or if something more severe is happening.
Bruising is a frequent sign of weak skin and fragile blood vessels directly beneath the surface in the elderly. Even the slightest brush against a door can leave a hand covered in bruises.
Helping a person to the bathroom, bathing, or changing their clothes can all lead to a bruise on the arm. When caring for an older person, it is important to avoid grasping their arm or hand and let them clutch yours for support.
We will explain the possible causes of easy bruising in older adults and what may be done to help.
Why do Older People Bruise Easily?
Capillaries are tiny blood vessels located just under the skin’s surface, most easily broken during an injury. When capillaries are ruptured, blood leaks into the surrounding tissue, leaving a black and blue scar.
Although bruises may be uncomfortable, they are not dangerous to your health. The bruise will fade away as the body absorbs the lost blood. Blushes are typical on the arms and legs.
We’ve already discussed how the skin thins with age, but there are a number of other factors that contribute to why older adults are more likely to bruise:
1. Loss of Protective Fat
Minor bumps can generate bruises in some people, but it takes a more severe hit to leave a noticeable mark on most people. Bruising is more common in women and those taking particular drugs. As a result of age-related fat loss, particularly around the blood vessels, the elderly are also more likely to bruise easily.
2. Medications And Supplements
Medications that increase fragility, such as those taken by the elderly, commonly cause bruising. Drugs like blood thinners are used to avert potentially fatal cardiovascular events like heart attacks and strokes by reducing the likelihood of clot formation.
Aspirin is commonly used by the elderly to treat and prevent heart attacks and other cardiovascular issues. Several dietary supplements can thin the blood as well, such as ginkgo. However, capillary leakage is increased in both rate and duration.
Thinner skin makes it more likely that you will get a bruise when using topical or systemic corticosteroids for allergy, asthma, or eczema treatment.
3. Exposure to The Sun
Blushes can appear on the skin of the elderly for no apparent reason. Actinic purpura, also known as sun spots, are caused by the rupture of blood vessels due to sun exposure and look like huge, purple freckles.
These bruises show more starkly on the translucent, fading skin of the elderly. In addition, the use of corticosteroid drugs can make these bruises more noticeable. Actinic purpura might have a frightening appearance, but it rarely results in major complications.
Bruising can also be affected by a variety of other variables. For example, the skin suffers from vitamin deficits, particularly in B12, C, and K. Several dietary supplements also increase the risk of bleeding.
4. Lack of Activity
Bruises are another potential side effect of inactivity in older adults. After a period of inactivity, your loved one may develop deep bruises on their skin.
Caretakers and family members can prevent this injury by properly repositioning older adults several times during the day.
Senile Purpura: Common And Innocuous Bruising
Despite appearing as if an accident has happened, senile purpura (also known as actinic purpura) is a kind of bruising that develops on older people’s skin. It does not occur as a consequence of serious trauma.
Blood vessels can rupture from decades of sun exposure with a little bump or handshake, producing obvious markings on thin, old skin. The bruises typically take up to three weeks to go away since they are produced by bleeding under the skin on the hands and arms. However, they can occasionally appear elsewhere.
Most of the time, senile purpura does not require treatment. On the other hand, research that was recently published in the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology reveals that it may result in psychological turmoil. So, reassure your older loved one that senile purpura is typical and recommend talking about it at their upcoming doctor appointment if they are upset about it.
Prevention of Bruising in Older Adults
Health declines of many kinds are inevitable consequences of aging. This, unfortunately, also applies to the skin. In addition to sagging and losing suppleness, our skin becomes more vulnerable to tears and bruising as we age.
Accidents that damage the skin, typically resulting in bruises, are the usual culprits in causing these tears. However, simple things like bumping against a chair might lead to serious injuries.
These bumps aren’t aesthetically pleasing, so you should avoid them if you can. Fortunately, skin tears can be prevented, and their appearance can be lessened. Unfortunately, the elderly are more vulnerable to skin tears and bruising; here are some measures to protect them.
1. Moisturize Often
Preventing tears in your skin depends largely on maintaining its moisture level. Use soapless cleaners or soaps with a neutral PH level wherever possible. It is recommended that you cut down on the amount of time you spend in the shower and that you bathe with warm rather than hot water.
Hot showers are soothing to the muscles, but they can dry the skin if you take them frequently. Instead, apply a hypoallergenic moisturizer twice daily to maintain smooth, supple skin. Skin tears are less likely due to the suppleness provided by the skin’s hydration.
2. Eat Nutritious Food
A good diet is an additional factor in maintaining healthy skin. What you eat directly affects how much of certain nutrients you absorb. Your skin condition will deteriorate as a result. Eat various fruits and vegetables as part of a healthy, well-rounded diet.
In addition, hydrating your skin from the inside out by consuming enough water is also a must. There is a wide variety of fluids to choose from, each with its own hydrating potential. Orange juice and milk are the best choices for rehydration.
3. Ensure The Home Has Proper Lighting
It’s important to have adequate lighting in the house to lessen the likelihood of accidents happening. Use daytime sunlight to brighten everything from indoor seating areas to exterior pathways. Motion sensor lights should be installed to make trips to the restroom less of a hassle as the sun goes down.
As an added precaution against accidental stumbling, installing plenty of good lighting throughout the home is a good idea. In addition, keep a flashlight handy in case the lights go out or you can’t locate the switch.
4. Eliminate Clutter And Live a Simpler Life
Cluttered living spaces can increase the risk of bruising for the elderly. Accidents are much more likely to occur in a house that is overcrowded and has objects strewn all over the ground. Bruises can be sustained through walking and accidentally bumping into objects. It’s even worse when clutter leads to accidents like stumbles and falls.
To avoid bumps and bruises, it is important to declutter and arrange the home. To begin creating more space, remove any unnecessary furniture. Then, cover up any exposed wires on the ground. At this point, you should pick up anything left on the ground and put it away.
5. Wear Protective Clothing
To safeguard yourself, you need to make a minimal effort. For example, trim your fingernails and toenails short so you don’t accidentally scratch an open sore and bleed.
Covering up with protective garments, long sleeves, slacks, or knee-high socks not only shields the skin from the sun’s drying rays but also protects it from any potential abrasions that might be present on the surface.
However, you should keep the weather in mind. Long sleeves are inconvenient in hot weather and dangerous because they raise the risk of dehydration.
6. Vitamin C And Iron Supplementation
Foods high in vitamin C, such as oranges and juice. Taking iron and vitamin C together can reduce the likelihood of bruising. Since vitamin C strengthens capillaries and iron aids in red blood cell regeneration, the two work hand in hand to make this happen.
While it’s best to receive these nutrients through the food you eat, supplements can help ensure you’re getting enough. Always speak with your physician prior to starting anything new.
Increased white blood cell activity and the vitamin’s effects on the capillaries both contribute to vitamin C’s ability to strengthen the immune system. Also, it helps the body get rid of damaging free radicals by functioning as a potent antioxidant.
Finally, vitamin C aids in the development of connective tissues, which are essential for the proper functioning of arteries, joints, and skin.
When Should I Worry About Bruising in an Older Adult?
Bruising is a common problem in older adults; most individuals only realize it happens once it’s too late. Here are some situations when you should worry about when an older adult gets bruises or minor injuries.
Bruising Due to Medical Reasons
Members of the family should pay close attention to the bruised area.
Most bumps and bruises are the consequence of either an illness or an accident while receiving help with activities of daily living.
In contrast, family members should consult with their loved one’s doctor if the wounds keep reappearing in the same spot.
Severe bruising on a loved one’s body should raise red flags. Talk to your loved one’s doctor and inquire about their care.
There should be no delay in making an appointment to visit the emergency room if the bleeding and bruising result from a major accident.
Look For The Warning Signs of Abuse
Bruises on an older person are another possible indicator of mistreatment. Because older people have thinner skin, it is not unusual for them to sustain more bruises than younger people.
You should focus on the injured area and further investigate where the bruises are and the situation that resulted in the bruises.
In private, inquire whether your loved one remembers the circumstances surrounding the accident that left them injured. Some older people with memory problems will still be able to recall instances of maltreatment they have experienced.
Summary
Thinner skin makes older adults more susceptible to bruising. In addition, the skin’s capillaries are more vulnerable without adequate protection, so any blow could easily cause bleeding. Discoloration of the skin, caused by the body’s attempt to stop bleeding through blood clots, was already mentioned.
A bruise may start looking minor, but it’s important to remember that it can become quite serious. Therefore, if you frequently get bruises, consider the suggestions above and consult your doctor.
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