Why Drinking Alcohol Can Cause Bruising

why do alcoholics bruise easily

These conditions combined can lead to coagulopathy (bruising and bleeding even with the slightest trauma). Alcohol has blood thinning properties, which can increase the risk of bruising. Alcohol is a blood thinner, which means it affects the platelet count and quality in people who drink too much. Beyond clinical practice, he’s an advocate for community awareness and early intervention in addiction prevention. Outside work, Trent values family time, personal growth, travel, and promoting a healthy lifestyle. Reach out to Addiction Free Recovery today, and let us be your partner in the journey to a healthier, addiction-free life.

why do alcoholics bruise easily

Combating Common Skin Irritants

Initially, bruises appear red or purplish and gradually change color as they why do alcoholics bruise easily heal. Swelling and tenderness are common accompanying symptoms of bruising. While most bruises are harmless and resolve on their own, it’s important to know when to consult a doctor for leg bruising. Additionally, if you experience other symptoms like excessive bleeding, it may indicate an underlying health condition that requires further evaluation.

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As alcohol dries the skin, our natural defence against pathogens, this can also lead to repeated skin infections. End-stage alcoholics are also at a high risk of dying from accidents, trauma and suicide. It’s common at this point for alcoholics to have lost their jobs as well their friends and family. Mindful drinking offers that middle ground where you’ll proactively improve your drinking habits without any pressure to quit. It centers on being more conscious and thoughtful of how much, how often, and why you drink.

why do alcoholics bruise easily

Nutritional Deficiencies

Liver disease is another serious health issue (that can only be diagnosed by a doctor) that can lead you to bruise easily. The liver produces important proteins that help our bodies minimize bleeding, so if you’re experiencing health problems with your liver, you may bruise more easily than usual. Too much sun exposure can damage and weaken your skin, as well as weaken the walls of your blood vessels, leaving you more susceptible to bruising. These bruises from sun damage usually don’t cause any pain or soreness. Lee says one of the most common reasons people bruise easily is the food 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.

why do alcoholics bruise easily

Why do I bruise so easily on my legs?

These blood vessels may easily rupture even with minor trauma or pressure, resulting in visible bruises on the legs. Alcohol drinking can raise the likelihood of bruising and other harmful skin consequences. However, there are several precautions you can take to avoid or reduce bruising while drinking your choice of alcoholic beverage. So, let us discuss how to prevent bruising from alcohol, such as drinking responsibly, keeping hydrated, eating before drinking, and a few more. Some people bruise more easily than others, and the bruising can take longer to heal.

  • Anyone who notices they are bruising more often or more easily than usual should seek medical advice to rule out other health issues or seek treatment as appropriate.
  • This leads to the pooling and clotting of blood beneath the skin, resulting in skin discoloration.
  • Experts suggest that males restrict themselves to two drinks per day, while women limit themselves to one drink per day.
  • This happens because it interferes with the production of platelets (and other blood cells) in the bone marrow.

However, it’s important to consult a healthcare professional for guidance on specific treatment options based on your individual circumstances. Consuming alcohol drug addiction on an empty stomach is said to have negative consequences such as increased bruise risk and other side effects. It may induce quicker absorption into the circulation, resulting in higher alcohol levels in the body. It may cause dehydration and interfere with your body’s natural capacity to coagulate blood, resulting in skin damage and bruising. It’s less serious than a bone break, but the injury has damaged some part of the inside structure of your bone.

Assessment of Bleeding Symptoms

One of the most common bleeding disorders is Von Willebrand Disease, which affects about one percent of the population. For people with Von Willebrand Disease, the Von Willebrand protein, which is important for blood clotting, is either missing or defective. Another bleeding disease that sometimes contributes to bruising is hemophilia. Alcohol consumption without a good meal prior may result in headaches, dizziness, and nausea. To maintain a balanced lifestyle, it is advised to have a nutritious meal or snack before drinking alcohol to avoid any negative consequences.

  • Wrap the ice pack before you put it on so you don’t freeze your skin, and don’t leave it on for more than 15 minutes at a time.
  • As alcohol consumption increases, the liver adapts to break down alcohol more quickly.
  • At this stage, the alcoholic may appear to be functioning normally and is unlikely to have performance problems at work, school or in other settings.
  • In this article, we will explore the reasons behind easy bruising on the legs and provide insights into how to prevent and treat them.

Hydration will make your skin elastic and blood vessels strong, reducing the chances of bruising due to alcohol. To allow the liver to heal and the risk of bruising to drop, you must stop drinking altogether. If you drink heavily, regularly, or both, your alcohol use could be the cause of your bruise. That discoloration sitting beneath the surface of your skin might prompt you to ask for help so that you can stop drinking for good. Consuming enough water is one efficient way to promote optimal hydration.

  • “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.
  • As alcohol dries the skin, our natural defence against pathogens, this can also lead to repeated skin infections.
  • By this stage, their drinking is taking an obvious physical toll as well.
  • Alcohol is a major contributing factor to liver disease, but the condition can also result from cancer and other health issues.
  • If you use blood thinners or anti-inflammatory medicines, you should be aware that these medications may increase your risk of skin injury, such as bruising and bleeding.
  • If you’re concerned about bruising, talk to your doctor about other possible causes.

While there is no direct relationship between alcohol and hair loss, heavy drinking may lead to other issues that thin out your locks. Well, alcohol intake may lead to night sweats by speeding up your heart rate and widening your blood vessels, triggering the release of perspiration. Alcohol suppresses rapid eye movement, or REM sleep, which is an essential restorative stage of sleep your body requires. Something people might notice with ongoing, severe alcohol misuse is bruising from alcohol.

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