Being more mindful when drinking, using protective strategies, addressing nutritional deficiencies, and treating medical conditions can all help reduce bruising. Excessive drinking can lead to alcoholism and alcohol use disorder (AUD). Rock Recovery Center in West Palm Beach, FL, offers drug rehab treatment for individuals struggling with chronic alcohol use and alcohol addiction. Remember to always consult with a healthcare professional if you have any concerns about your bruising, especially if it’s accompanied by severe pain or swelling. And if you want to learn more about bruising and how to prevent it, check out the World Health Organization’s fact sheet on injuries.

Why Do I Get Random Bruises After A Night Of Drinking?

can alcohol cause bruising

When the liver is damaged, it can no longer filter alcohol correctly, and it may not be able to keep the bloodstream healthy. According to UPMC, your liver contains about 10 percent of your total blood supply at any given time. When you’re drinking alcohol, your liver is working hard to process the toxins from your blood, but that work takes time. When you drink so much that your liver cannot keep up with the amount you’re drinking, intoxication can take hold. Your judgment and decision-making skills will be affected fairly quickly when you start drinking. This is because it affects the prefrontal cortex, which is the part of the brain that controls reasoning and higher brain function.

Bruises After Drinking FAQs

To allow the liver to heal and the risk of bruising to drop, you must stop drinking altogether. For the same reason you have trouble with motor control and coordination, you will also have a worse reaction time while drinking. Since alcohol slows down central nervous system activity and communication, you take longer to register stimuli and decide what to do. It increases your chances of being hit in the forehead with an incoming football, but it may also cause you alcoholism to bump into people or objects.

Alcoholic face

can alcohol cause bruising

Common supplements that can have a similar blood-thinning effect include vitamin E, fish oils, St. John’s wort, Ginkgo biloba, and other oils high in mega-3 fatty acids. Sometimes it is just bad luck when the tip of the needle penetrates an invisible blood vessel and causes bruising. The face is a very complicated and complex network of blood vessels, nerves and soft tissues.

When to Seek Medical Care for Bruising

  • I consider what I do for the addicted population as a calling versus a “career,” because I too was once an “addict and alcoholic.” Today I am 45.5 years alcohol and substance free.
  • Limiting alcohol consumption, staying hydrated, and maintaining a balanced diet rich in vitamin K can help support your body’s ability to clot blood effectively.
  • Sunnyside is the leading alcohol health platform focused on moderation and mindfulness, not sobriety.
  • While alcohol itself does not directly cause bruising, there are factors related to its use that can contribute to bruising at the puncture site.

Type 1 is the mildest, type 2, and type 3 which is the most severe. Even a vitamin B12 deficiency can contribute to low platelet counts. Use a new needle, inject slowly, and rotate sites like the abdomen or thigh.

Impact on your safety

Platelet disorders interfere with the body’s ability to properly clot blood. Frequent bruises can be a sign of physical abuse, whether in a child or an older person. ‘Particularly remember, you shouldn’t lay down for at least four hours after your injection, and, do not rub your face for 24 hours,’ says Katherine. By understanding the causes of bruising under the skin and taking preventive measures, you can help reduce the risk of experiencing this common and often minor injury. Lastly, making sure to get enough vitamin C in your diet can help prevent bruising and promote faster healing.

  • The good news is that most bruises will heal on their own within a couple of weeks.
  • The exact mechanisms underlying alcohol-related thrombocytopenia remain unknown.
  • Cirrhosis is when normal liver tissue is replaced by scar tissue, which causes the liver to lose its ability to function well.
  • Even small amounts of alcohol can affect your cognitive functioning enough to make driving dangerous.

Why Do I Bruise So Easily?

can alcohol cause bruising

Overall, understanding the causes, treatment, and prevention of bruising under the skin has been crucial in managing this issue in my own life. By taking a proactive approach and making lifestyle changes, I’ve been able to reduce the can alcohol cause bruising impact of bruising and improve my overall health and well-being. It is important to know when to seek medical attention for bruising under the skin. While bruises are a common occurrence and often heal on their own, there are certain situations in which medical attention is necessary.