Brief Answer:
May be the aspirin.

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX

The easy bruising that you are describing may be from aspirin. Aspirin interferes with platelets which are involved in stopping bleeding.

Citalopram and all of the SSRI antidepressants have a tendency to increase bleeding and bruising.

Some supplements such as fish oil can thin the blood in higher dosages. A regular multivitamin probably isn't contributing to this.

There are more concerning causes for easy bruising, but if you aren't getting a lot of bruising on the face, chest, abdomen, or back, or have a history of severe bleeding or a family history of such, this is probably not a concern.

The greenish color you describe is from a pigment from the blood. Eventually the body will clean that up.

So what to do? If you absolutely have to take aspirin for cardiac or other reasons, then continue to do so, but you may not be able to avoid the bruising from minor skin trauma. Some research suggests that increased levels of vitamin C and flavonoids (both found in citrus and sometimes together in Vitamin C supplements) can help maintain the integrity of the capillary walls so that they don't get injured and leak as easily so less bruising. The citalopram is less likely to cause bruising than the aspirin, but the 2 together may be additive in their bruising effects.

I hope this information helps.

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Brief Answer:
Best wishes to you.

Detailed Answer:
One other thing: if this changes and you notice a lot more bruising (everywhere) or difficulty stopping bleeding with cuts, then do go in and be seen and get platelet levels and coagulation factors measured. But I don't think this is going to happen for you.

Best regards,
Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh, MD

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Brief Answer:
Your welcome

Detailed Answer:
Noted. Your welcome!

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