Bruises occur when blood vessels break and the blood pools under your skin. Your blood vessels become more fragile as you age. Excessive sun exposure also makes blood vessels rupture more easily. Your skin becomes thinner as you get older. You are more likely to have balance issues that cause you to bump into objects or even fall. If you are taking a blood thinner medication such as coumadin, or even a baby aspirin for your blood pressure, this too can lead to increased bruising. So can use of topical or oral corticosteroids. Bruising with aging is called senile purpura. These patches, often on the back of your hand or the outer part of your forearm, look like irregular dark purple or red patches. Unlike other bruises, they don’t change color or go away within about a week. Bruises on older skin stay the same color for weeks or even months. They fade slowly to a brownish stain that may be permanent. Luckily, these bruises are not dangerous. Unluckily, there’s nothing you can do once one appears.
To learn more about bruises, please visit the exhibit on Healthinfo Island at http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/98/40/26 during the month of October 2026.
For information about senile purpura:
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