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What Are the Causes of Unexplained Bruising on the Legs?

A.E. Freeman
A.E. Freeman

Unexplained bruising on the legs can occur when a person bumps or hits her leg and does not remember hitting it. In some cases, a bump that doesn't cause any pain or barely registers with a person can lead to a bruise on the leg. Some people are more prone to bruising as they age, because the skin becomes thinner and the blood vessels weaker. Unexplained bruising can be a sign of something more serious, though.

Generally, unexplained bruising on the legs, particularly on the shins, isn't a cause for concern. A bruise forms when the capillaries, or blood vessels near the surface of the skin, are damaged. Blood leaks out of the vessels, causing discoloration and some tenderness. As the blood returns to the vessels, the bruise heals.

Older women are prone to unexplained bruising.
Older women are prone to unexplained bruising.

The strength of the capillaries varies from person to person. Some people may need to receive a hard blow to receive a bruise, while bruises will seem to magically appear on others. Older women are usually more prone to unexplained bruising on the the legs than younger women, children, and men.

Many people have a layer of fat between the skin and the capillaries. Some people lose this layer, particularly as they age, which makes bruising more likely. In addition to aging, excess sun exposure and some medicines can make the skin thinner.

Certain medications may thin the blood and make bruising more likely.
Certain medications may thin the blood and make bruising more likely.

Certain medications can thin the blood and make bruising more likely. Aspirin, warfarin, and clopidogrel are designed to thin the blood or reduce clotting. If a person is on the medications, she may bruise more easily, as the blood will not stop flowing very quickly. Fish oil and ginkgo also thin the blood and can lead to unexplained bruising on the legs. Corticosteroids, either oral or topical, can thin the skin.

Excessive sun exposure may thin the skin and make bruising more likely.
Excessive sun exposure may thin the skin and make bruising more likely.

In some cases, unexplained bruising is a sign of a serious condition. It can point to a bleeding disorder, especially if accompanied by petechiae, or red spots under the skin, bleeding in the mouth, and frequent nosebleeds. A person may have a low platelet count or other platelet disorder or an infection in the blood.

Other causes of unexplained bruising on the legs include vitamin deficiency, leukemia, or an auto-immune disorder. Bruises caused by an auto-immune disorder, such as lupus, are usually raised and firm to the touch. Typically, they appear without any injury to the leg.

Discussion Comments

irontoenail

@KoiwiGal - That is really sad. How awful for his poor parents. I think that if a child has unexplained bruising, they should always get checked out by a doctor, just in case.

Because, of course, it could be abuse as well. There's no way to tell unless someone cares enough to look.

But, you should also remember as it says in the article, that people bruise more easily as they get older.

My mother bruises if you tap her on the shoulder. She's asked the doctor about it and it's just that she is getting old and has very fair skin.

She is more embarrassed by it than anything else. She uses up a lot of bruise cream, trying to get them to go away.

KoiwiGal

Remember that even if you know you bumped your leg, if the bruise is really big, much bigger than you expect, it could be a symptom of a serious condition.

I had a childhood friend who started developing lots of bruising for no reason. At first I think the teacher thought he was being abused at home and there was a lot of hustle around it that of course I didn't really understand back then.

But, it turned out that he had leukemia.

It was very sad, especially because his parents had been accused of something they didn't do, and then had to face his sickness and his medical treatments.

And unfortunately, he didn't make it.

I often wonder if they had discovered it sooner, if something more could have been done. It is a horrible disease though, even today, so maybe not.

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    • Older women are prone to unexplained bruising.
      By: mariesacha
      Older women are prone to unexplained bruising.
    • Certain medications may thin the blood and make bruising more likely.
      By: Brian Jackson
      Certain medications may thin the blood and make bruising more likely.
    • Excessive sun exposure may thin the skin and make bruising more likely.
      By: Cicak Kobeng
      Excessive sun exposure may thin the skin and make bruising more likely.
    • Bruised leg.
      Bruised leg.
    • An ice pack, which can help with a bruise.
      By: Marc Dietrich
      An ice pack, which can help with a bruise.