Easy bruising resident survival guide

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Overview

Easy bruising is the bruising of skin with minor compression or pressure to the skin. When small capillaries of the superficial skin rupture from pressure or compression, petechiae occur, sometimes ecchymosis is also seen with insignificant trauma which is a bleed in the deeper layers in the skin[1]. A wide variety of causes lead to easy bruising, some of which are clotting and bleeding disorders, platelet dysfunction, age related skin changes, and some forms of cancer such as leukemia.[2]

Causes

Life threatening causes

Other causes

Diagnosis

The algorithm below summarises approach to the different causes of easy bruising.

Management

Do's

Dont's

References

  1. "Easy Bruising and Bleeding". Am Fam Physician. 93 (4): Online. 2016. PMID 26926825.
  2. Sham RL, Francis CW (1994). "Evaluation of mild bleeding disorders and easy bruising". Blood Rev. 8 (2): 98–104. doi:10.1016/s0268-960x(05)80014-1. PMID 7950480.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Detailed history:

❑ Is the bleeding over the limbs?
❑ Is there any bleeding in mucosal surfaces such as gums or oral mucosa?
❑ History of recent infections?
❑ Is there bleeding into the joints?
❑ Is there history of bruising after minor trauma in the past?
❑ Is there any associated rash?
❑ History of blood transfusions?
❑ History of bleeding after tooth extractions or surgeries
❑ Bleeding during menstrual cycle in women
❑ Drug history:
Any use of the following in the past?

Family history of bleeding?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Characterize the symptoms
❑ Bruising with minor or no trauma
Petechiae
❑ Gingival bleeding
Menorrhagia
❑ Painful bleeding into joints