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What Causes Bruising On The Lower Left Leg?

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Posted on Tue, 21 Jun 2016
Question: My wife is 56 years old in good health - 5'7" 132Lbs. She is quite active and in good health.
This morning we noticed bruising on the inside of her lower left leg. There was no trauma to the area - that is why we are concerned. There area is sensitive to touch and she complained of aching in her leg yesterday.
Please Advise?
email Address: YYYY@YYYY
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ashwini Kolur (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
might be contact dermatitis, oral antihistamine

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX..

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and the answer is based on the medical information provided.

Based on the picture and information provided by you i think either it is insect bites or contact dermatitis.

Contact dermatitis is a condition in which the skin becomes red, sore, or inflamed after direct contact with a substance.

It will be nice if you can recall that have you come across something unusual. Substances that cause contact dermatitis in many people include plants such as poison ivy, certain foods, some metals, cleaning solutions, detergents, cosmetics, perfumes, industrial chemicals, and latex rubber.

Treatment for both includes washing with lots of water to remove any traces of the irritant that may remain on the skin. Wash it with mild soap like dermadew or dove. You should avoid further exposure to known irritants or allergens.

Emollients or moisturizers help keep the skin moist, and also help skin repair itself. They protect the skin from becoming inflamed again. You can use over the counter anti histamine cream will help in reducing the symptom.

Corticosteroid skin creams or ointments may reduce inflammation. Overuse, even of low-strength over-the-counter products, may cause a skin condition. So i advice you to use the antihistamine cream and that will address your symptom. For pain you can take the Ibuprofen, which you already have it with you but not more than 2-3 days..

I advice you to see dermatologist if the symptom persists or the severity increases.

This provisional advice provided by me is based entirely on the input provided to me. I would suggest examination by the doctor.

I hope this suggestion might be of some help to you. Please accept my answer in case you do not have further queries.

Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ashwini Kolur (26 minutes later)
Perhaps the picture wasn't telling the whole story. It is NOT Dermititis. The marks on her legs are bruises (Hematomas), like bruises the hurt when touched. It is NOT a skin irritation.

Can you suggest other options??
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ashwini Kolur (33 hours later)
Brief Answer:
cold compression and thrombophob ointment

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Based on the pictures I still feel it as dermatitis.

But nevertheless sometimes unnoticed blunt trauma can also cause similar bruising and pain. At this point, I will suggest you to apply cold compresses to address the pain and redness.

In the meanwhile, I will suggest to visit a physician for physical examination. I would order a platelet count and coagulation profile tests especially if you are convinced there was no injury. Further the area should be monitored for changes.

I hope this suggestion might be of some help to you. Please accept my answer in case you do not have further queries.

Take care.
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Ashwini Kolur

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 1014 Questions

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What Causes Bruising On The Lower Left Leg?

Brief Answer: might be contact dermatitis, oral antihistamine Detailed Answer: Hi XXXX.. It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and the answer is based on the medical information provided. Based on the picture and information provided by you i think either it is insect bites or contact dermatitis. Contact dermatitis is a condition in which the skin becomes red, sore, or inflamed after direct contact with a substance. It will be nice if you can recall that have you come across something unusual. Substances that cause contact dermatitis in many people include plants such as poison ivy, certain foods, some metals, cleaning solutions, detergents, cosmetics, perfumes, industrial chemicals, and latex rubber. Treatment for both includes washing with lots of water to remove any traces of the irritant that may remain on the skin. Wash it with mild soap like dermadew or dove. You should avoid further exposure to known irritants or allergens. Emollients or moisturizers help keep the skin moist, and also help skin repair itself. They protect the skin from becoming inflamed again. You can use over the counter anti histamine cream will help in reducing the symptom. Corticosteroid skin creams or ointments may reduce inflammation. Overuse, even of low-strength over-the-counter products, may cause a skin condition. So i advice you to use the antihistamine cream and that will address your symptom. For pain you can take the Ibuprofen, which you already have it with you but not more than 2-3 days.. I advice you to see dermatologist if the symptom persists or the severity increases. This provisional advice provided by me is based entirely on the input provided to me. I would suggest examination by the doctor. I hope this suggestion might be of some help to you. Please accept my answer in case you do not have further queries. Take care.