Why Do I Have Bruises After Drinking?

alcohol and bruising

Alcohol, like other psychoactive substances, interacts with your central nervous system by altering some of the chemical communication processes. When you want to unlock your front door to go home after a night of drinking, you see the lock, and your brain sends a signal to your hand to move the key toward it. But your central nervous system slows down, and the signal is impaired. Research studies on the association between weight gain and alcohol consumption have ended in conflicting results. In other words, weight gain isn’t inevitable, but you could still tip the scale up from drinking too much alcohol.

Q5: Can alcohol worsen existing bruises?

So in summary, alcohol both increases your risk of trauma while also impacting the body’s ability to prevent and recover from injury. =https://ecosoberhouse.com/ 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. The cerebellum is particularly sensitive to severe alcohol consumption. Jaundice can be a physical sign of liver problems, where the skin takes on a yellowish-brown tone due to high levels of bilirubin in the body.

  • A chronically damaged liver may not produce the proteins required for coagulation.
  • One common question that arises is whether alcohol consumption can cause bruising.
  • If you already have unusual bruising, your liver could already be damaged, and that could mean that drinking at any level is not wise for you.

What Is A Bruise?

This can lead to bruising even when there is no trauma to the skin. Alcoholics may also have darker bruises due to the increased amount of blood in their body. If you notice that you or someone you know is bruise easily, it may be a sign of alcoholism.

  • Long-term use of medications that have cortisol-like components, such as steroids, can also lead to Cushing syndrome.
  • Consider drinking a glass or two of water before indulging in your favorite alcoholic beverage.
  • Liver damage from cirrhosis is not reversible, and it is linked to high mortality rates.
  • Von Willebrand disease (VWD) is the most common inherited bleeding disorder, affecting up to 1% of the population.

Limiting Alcohol Consumption for a Better Life

The bruises may also appear in unusual patterns or locations, such as on the trunk or back, where major impacts are less likely. According to a 2021 study, the cerebellum is one of the most vulnerable areas that alcohol can directly affect, leading to difficulty in maintaining balance. Trent Carter, FNP-BC, CARN-AP, is a seasoned nurse practitioner with over a decade of experience in addiction medicine.

Other possible treatments

Those who bruise easily and don’t have a family history of a bleeding disorder are unlikely to have a bleeding disorder themselves. But long-term and excessive alcohol consumption can lead to liver inflammation (liver hepatitis). Often, bruising after drinking is a result alcohol and bruising of falling or bumping into something.

Common physical signs of alcoholism

If you suddenly stop drinking, this can lead to a number of uncomfortable alcohol withdrawal symptoms. It often drives people with alcoholism to keep drinking in order to limit these symptoms. This is called ‘alcohol flush reaction’ and it happens when your body is unable to fully digest all the alcohol you’ve consumed.

Long-Term Impact of Alcohol on Bruising and Bleeding

Certain medications and health conditions can also increase bruising risks independent of alcohol. First, alcoholics are more likely to fall and injure themselves, which can cause bruising. Second, alcoholism can lead to a condition called thrombocytopenia, which is a low level of platelets in the blood.

alcohol and bruising

alcohol and bruising

Even small amounts of alcohol can affect your cognitive functioning enough to make driving dangerous. If you drink heavily, regularly, or both, your alcohol use could be the cause of your bruise. That discoloration sitting beneath the surface of your skin might prompt you to ask for help so that you can stop drinking for good. Sunnyside is the leading alcohol health platform focused on moderation and mindfulness, not sobriety. On average, members see a 30% reduction in alcohol consumption in 3 Twelve-step program months, leading to improved sleep, diet, and overall wellbeing.

alcohol and bruising

Can moderate alcohol consumption also lead to bruising, or is it mainly a concern for heavy drinkers?

This means it’s a substance that actually relaxes the muscular walls of the blood vessels and allows more blood to flow to the skin and tissues — aka a blood thinner. While alcohol may have numbing effects that temporarily reduce pain, its overall impact on bruising is negative due to its blood-thinning properties. In these situations, it is generally recommended to avoid alcohol altogether given the compounding effects on bleeding risks. These types of bruising may indicate a more serious injury like a hematoma or internal bleeding, which requires treatment. Eat fruits, vegetables and protein, and take a multivitamin to get nutrients needed for blood clotting. Take note if you experience frequent bruising in any of these areas after drinking.