Thin Skin & Bruising

Post your questions about elderly/older skin here.

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CazH
Posts: 26
Joined: Tue Oct 11, 2016 12:01 pm
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by CazH on Wed Mar 13, 2019 1:42 pm

Thin Skin & Bruising

Hello,

My mum is 70 (71 in April, though she doesn't look it!) She does have some health issues but these are related to osteoarthritis and osteoporosis. Her hands can get quite painful and her fingers are 'knobbly', as she says, but she manages. The strange thing is the red/purple bruising she gets, just on her hands. I think it's thin skin that results in these. She gets them often, without hurting her hands at all; they look sore, but aren't. Not raised in any way, just reddish, purplish circular bruises. Is there any way to help with this? I've bought her hand creams so she does moisturise, but I guess I'm just checking that there's nothing else to be concerned about (that it is an issue of having thin skin) and whether there's any other product that may help?

Thanks very much! :)
Caz
talkhealth Women's Health, IBS & Mental Health Ambassador
talkhealth blogger

Founder of http://www.invisiblyme.com

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Dr Emma Wedgeworth
Posts: 154
Joined: Mon Jan 16, 2017 11:26 am
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by Dr Emma Wedgeworth on Thu Mar 14, 2019 8:47 pm

Re: Thin Skin & Bruising

Hi there, sorry to hear your Mum is having problems with this. It can be normal to have increased bruising as the skin thins with age, but I always want to rule out any other underlying causes. It would definitely be worth checking that her doctor has assessed her blood clotting with a simple blood test. I presume she doesn't take blood thinners or use any steroid creams or tablets which can make this problem worse? If her clotting is fine and she isn't on any medication which could exacerbate this problem, it is a matter of trying to protect the skin as much as possible and using plenty of moisturiser and rich nourishing products.

I hope that helps.
Dr Emma Wedgeworth
Consultant Dermatologist & BSF spokesperson

http://www.talkhealthpartnership.com/on ... eworth.php

CazH
Posts: 26
Joined: Tue Oct 11, 2016 12:01 pm
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by CazH on Sun Mar 17, 2019 12:31 pm

Re: Thin Skin & Bruising

Blood clotting is one that I hadn't thought of and that hasn't been done. I'll make sure this gets checked, just to make sure. Thank you so much, Dr Wedgeworth, it's much appreciated!

Caz
talkhealth Women's Health, IBS & Mental Health Ambassador
talkhealth blogger

Founder of http://www.invisiblyme.com

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