When does easy bruising indicate a more serious problem?

Easy bruising sometimes indicates a serious underlying condition, such as a blood-clotting problem or a blood disease. See your doctor if you:

• Have frequent, large bruises, especially if your bruises appear on your trunk, back or face, or seem to develop for no known reasons
• Have easy bruising and a history of significant bleeding, such as during a surgical procedure
• Suddenly begin bruising, especially if you recently started a new medication
• Have a family history of easy bruising or bleeding

These signs and symptoms can indicate:

• Low levels of the blood components that help it clot after injury (platelets)
• Abnormally functioning platelets
• Problems with proteins that help the blood clot

To find the cause of your bruising, your doctor might check your blood platelet levels or do tests that measure the time it takes your blood to clot.

Other serious causes of bruising include domestic violence or abuse. If a loved one has an unexplainable bruise, particularly in an unusual location such as on the face, be aware of the possibility of abuse.