There are several problems and conditions which can contribute to diabetic bruising. Diabetes can also make bruises last longer and heal more slowly. If you have not been diagnosed with diabetes, and experience excessive or long-lasting bruising, you should visit your doctor to determine if it diabetic bruising or if it is caused by something else.

One common reason for diabetic bruising is insulin injections. Using the same location of skin over and over may cause bruising in that area. Try to vary the locations of your shots and this diabetic bruising should go away. Also, if you are bleeding following the injection, this may mean that you are injecting the insulin into the muscle instead of the fat tissue.

There is also a condition called acanthosisnigricans that causes diabetic bruising. This is where patches brown and black skin manifest in the folds and creases of the skin, most notably the arm pits and the neck. This is caused because of high insulin levels which “spill over” into the skin.

For the most part, however, bruises are caused by a leakage of blood after an injury. According to Columbia.edu, the usual suspects are bumping into a bed post and not remembering or rigorous exercise. Women are the most prone to bruising, and less likely to notice when they become bruised. Also, old age is a contributing factor to diabetic bruising. With time our skin becomes more fragile, and we lose the fatty layers which cushion our blood vessels against damage. In addition, our capillary walls and the tissues which support blood vessels weaken with age.

 

Treatment for Diabetic Bruising

 

According to MedicineNet.com, there are several things that you can do to minimize bruising after an injury. Cold compression is one such remedy. Put ice in a plastic bag, wrap the bag in a towel, and place it upon the injured area. This works because the cold reduces blood flow, and therefore reduces the size of the bruise. This also works to reduce swelling. Elevating the area above the level of the heart will also slow the blood flow to the area.

Certain medications may contribute to bruising as well. These are usually medications which interfere with blood clotting. Prescription arthritis medication, or nonsteriodal anti-inflammatories, such as ibuprofen, Advil, and Aleve can contribute to diabetic bruising. Apirin is another over-the-counter medication which is associated with bruising as well. Warfarin (Coumadin) is a medication which is often taken by diabetics with blood clots in their legs or heart. This medication may cause severe bruising, especially if the dosage is too high.