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Why Drinking Alcohol Can Cause Bruising

While some people may have just a drink or two on special occasions, people with an alcohol use disorder may lose control of their drinking, and consume ten or more drinks, for example. They may have such a high tolerance that they do not show any overt signs of intoxication, despite drinking large amounts. When someone hits you — or you bump into something hard — it can break the small blood vessels beneath your skin. This happens because the blood leaks out and has nowhere else to go. It stays there until your body absorbs it while you’re healing.

alcohol and bruising

They may be visible in areas with less melanin, such as the forearms. Alcohol intolerance occurs when your body doesn’t have the proper enzymes to break down (metabolize) the toxins in alcohol. This is caused by inherited (genetic) traits most often found in Asians. In addition to differences in the quantity of alcohol consumed, inherited or acquired variations in an individual drinker’s biochemistry may account for these differences in susceptibility. That vasodilation also happens to be responsible for the flushed sensation of heat you sometimes get in your face when you drink. The guidelines classify moderate drinking up to one drink a day for females, and up to two drinks for males, and only over the age of 21 years.

Alcoholic hepatitis

Several factors increase the risk of alcoholic liver disease. In 2015, 16.5% of all liver transplants in the United States occurred due to alcoholic liver disease, making it the third most common reason for transplants behind chronic hepatitis C and liver cancer. Alcohol and unexplained bruising could point to liver damage from drinking. Easy bruising and bleeding are signs of cirrhosis, which is a serious liver disorder. This condition has a high mortality rate and is not reversible.

alcohol and bruising

Contact your GP for advice if you have a history of regular alcohol misuse. They’re often due to blocked blood flow through the portal vein. The portal vein carries blood from the intestine, pancreas and spleen to the liver. Most people with this condition have had at least seven drinks a day for 20 years or more. This can mean 7 glasses of wine, 7 beers, or 7 shots of spirits. Protect your skin by wrapping the ice in a washcloth or paper towel.

Conditions That May Mimic Alcoholic Neuropathy

Here are some tips that may help your bruise go away more quickly. A person can also reach out to trusted friends or family members. They may be able to provide emotional support or help with finding solutions. For people alcohol and bruising living with AUD, or people who are worried about their intake of alcohol, help and support are available. Drinking alcohol can also worsen the condition, which could be because alcohol weakens the immune system.

alcohol and bruising