While many things could lead to you developing jaundice, a common cause is high alcohol bruising levels of alcohol consumption. This is called ‘alcohol flush reaction’ and it happens when your body is unable to fully digest all the alcohol you’ve consumed. This means that the toxins in alcohol, including acetaldehyde, can build up in your body. In response, blood vessels in your face dilate – causing redness. In the long-term, these vessels can over-dilate, leading to spider veins on the skin.
- Alcoholics tend to bruise easily because of the blood vessels in their body breaking down.
- Kidney disease can affect your platelets, also leading to clotting problems, and therefore more frequent bruising.
- Too much alcohol can be toxic to liver cells, causing dehydration and permanent scarring—which ultimately affects the blood flow.
- Petechiae may not be visible on dark skin, but a person may see them on areas with lower levels of melanin, such as the forearms.
- While not inevitable, alcohol-related bruising and injury can be better prevented with education, risk reduction strategies, and basic safety precautions.
More on Skin Problems and Treatments
Cover legs and arms to reduce traumatic impacts to the skin when bumped. Alcohol acts as a natural blood thinner, temporarily impacting the normal clotting ability of blood platelets. This makes capillaries under the skin more fragile and likely to leak when bumped.
- However, there are instances where bruises may warrant closer attention.
- Alcohol use disorders can manifest at any stage during life, from drinking heavily as a college student to enjoying a bottle of wine every night to mask the stress of the day.
- If the scarring is extensive, the liver may not be able to do its vital work.
- Newborns often have very low levels of vitamin K, which are insufficient to stop bleeding.
- And even in the most severe cases, liver transplants and new treatments provide those suffering from cirrhosis with hope.
General Health
Examples of drinking in dangerous situations include driving while under the influence or drinking before operating some form of heavy machinery. What all of this means is that people who live with an alcohol use disorder are likely to consume large quantities of alcohol. While some people may have just a drink or two on special occasions, people with an alcohol use disorder may lose control of their drinking, and consume ten or more drinks, for example. They may have such a high tolerance that they do not show any overt signs of intoxication, despite drinking large amounts.
Why You Bruise More Easily When You Drink Alcohol
However, excessive vasodilation caused by external factors, like drinking alcohol, can be problematic. The consumption of alcohol affects your coordination and judgment and, likely increases the chances of accidents – bumping into things and falling. Most bruising after drinking often stems from unseen or unnoticed injuries. Bruises result from direct trauma, bumping into something, among others that may cause damage to blood vessels. All of these symptoms indicate that drinking has become a major problem in your life, Substance abuse and you should consider getting professional help to recover.
Alcoholic liver disease is damage to the liver and its function due to alcohol abuse. Hematoma development may need referral to a colleague for aspiration and drainage or surgical excision if it is causing compression to nerves or vessels. Over-the-counter herbal and vitamin supplements are becoming increasingly common and can have an influence on clotting time and increase the risk of bruising. In particular, fish oils7,8 omega-3 fatty acids,9 garlic,6–9 high-dose Vitamin E,6–9 gingko biloba,6–9 and St. John’s wort8,9 may all lead to greater bruising. The general consensus is that these should be avoided for two weeks prior to surgical procedures.
Yellowing of your skin and eyes
Remember, while these steps can help accelerate the healing process, it’s essential to consult a healthcare provider if the bruise is unusually large, painful, or accompanied by severe symptoms. While larger bruises are generally not alarming, seek medical advice if they are accompanied by significant swelling, especially if it doesn’t subside after a few days. The part of the brain that controls co-ordination and balance, the cerebellum, can deteriorate under the influence of alcohol, making you look unsteady on your feet.
- In individuals with chronic alcoholism, distinct nail changes can occur, notably koilonychia and Terry’s nails.
- This may indicate that your easy bruising is a symptom of some kind of bleeding disorder.
- Bruising will normally resolve spontaneously within 10 to 14 days and is best managed conservatively.
- Treatment options vary but may involve platelet transfusions, clotting factors, or medications to help with clotting.
If you experience any unusual bleeding or bruising, it’s essential to consult a healthcare professional to determine the cause. Vitamin K is vital for blood clotting, and its deficiency can lead to easy bruising. When there’s insufficient vitamin K, your body can’t produce enough clotting factors. They can also determine if you’re at increased risk for vitamin K1 deficiency due to factors like liver disease or issues with fat absorption. Those biological changes pave the way for the second stage, which is marked by a physical dependence on the drug. Drinking at this point isn’t about feeling good — it’s about not feeling bad and avoiding the uncomfortable sensations that accompany acute withdrawal.