What causes bruising of the skin in the elderly?
Bruises in elderly people frequently occur because their skin has become thinner with age. The tissues that support the underlying blood vessels have become more fragile. Bruises are also more common in those taking medicine to thin the blood.
How do you treat an elderly bruise?
Normal Bruises in Elderly
- Rest: Keep the bruised area from too much activity.
- Ice: Use ice on the bruised area for 10 to 20 minutes at a time, a few times each day.
- Compression: Lightly wrap an elastic bandage around the bruised area, making sure it is not too tight.
How do you treat bruises in the elderly?
Healing:
- Apply a cold compress to the bruise for 20 minutes to reduce the blood flow to the area. This may reduce the size of the bruise and decrease inflammation.
- Elevate the bruised area if at all possible.
- Wrapping the area with a compression bandage can help decrease swelling.
What helps with bruising in elderly?
How do you prevent bruising on old skin?
Wear long pants and sleeves and protective clothing to help minimize bruising. Moisturize the skin to prevent it from getting dry, which makes it more prone to breaking open. Use a sunscreen with an SPF greater than 30.
Do elderly bruise easily?
Older adults often bruise easily from minor injuries, especially injuries to the forearms, hands, legs, and feet. As a person ages, the skin becomes less flexible and thinner because there is less fat under the skin. The cushioning effect of the skin decreases as the fat under the skin decreases.
Why does my elderly mother bruise so easily?
Some people — especially women — are more prone to bruising than others. As you get older, your skin also becomes thinner and loses some of the protective fatty layer that helps cushion your blood vessels from injury.