--- title: "Bruising easily: When to See a GP | HealthAnswers" description: "Easy bruising is often caused by ageing skin or blood-thinning medicines; unexplained bruises, bleeding gums or prolonged bleeding need GP blood tests." url: https://healthanswers.co.uk/symptoms/bruising-easily/ robots: noindex --- # Bruising easily: When to See a GP | HealthAnswers Symptoms Easy bruising is often caused by ageing skin or blood-thinning medicines; unexplained bruises, bleeding gums or prolonged bleeding need GP blood tests. Written by HealthAnswers editorial team Medically reviewed by [HealthAnswers UK doctor review panel](https://healthanswers.co.uk/our-doctors/) Reviewed 3 July 2026 ## Quick answer What could bruising easily mean? Easy bruising means bruises appear after minor bumps or with no clear cause. It becomes more common with age, as skin thins, and with blood-thinning medicines such as warfarin, DOACs and aspirin. Unexplained bruising, bleeding gums or prolonged bleeding should be checked by a GP, who may arrange blood tests. ## Who is this page for? This page is for people in the UK who want a plain-English overview of Bruising easily, including when to seek help and what NHS care usually involves. It explains general information, not what is wrong with you personally. ## Who should skip this page? Skip this page if you need a diagnosis, a prescription, or emergency care. It cannot replace a GP, pharmacist, NHS 111 or 999. If you are in immediate danger, call 999; for urgent advice that is not life-threatening, call 111 in England, Scotland or Wales, or use your GP out-of-hours service in Northern Ireland. On this page 4 sections ## Common causes of bruising easily - Skin becomes thinner with age, so bruises appear more easily after minor bumps. - Anticoagulant medicines such as warfarin and DOACs make bruising more likely. - Platelet disorders such as ITP are a rare cause of easy bruising. - Report large or unexplained bruises to your GP if you take warfarin or a DOAC. - Support is available if you are worried that bruising is caused by abuse. ## What easy bruising means Bruising easily becomes more common with age and in people who take anticoagulant (blood-thinning) medicines. The pattern of bruising — where bruises appear, how large they are and whether there are other bleeding symptoms — helps a GP decide whether tests are needed. ## Causes of easy bruising The most common causes of easy bruising are **ageing skin** and medicines such as **aspirin**, **warfarin** and **DOACs**. Blood disorders such as **ITP** and **leukaemia** are less common causes. ## Self-care for easy bruising You can reduce bruising by taking simple steps to avoid bumps and knocks. If you take an anticoagulant, never stop it without medical advice, even if the bruising bothers you. ## Tests for unexplained bruising If bruising is unexplained, a GP will usually arrange a full blood count (FBC) and clotting tests. Widespread bruising that appears suddenly needs urgent assessment. ## ! When to get medical help for bruising easily See a GP if you have unexplained bruising, bleeding gums, nosebleeds that are hard to stop, or bruises that keep appearing without injury. Call **111** for urgent advice if you take warfarin or a DOAC and develop a large unexplained bruise, or after a significant head injury. Call **999** or go to A&E for a non-blanching rash with fever, heavy uncontrolled bleeding, or a head injury with confusion, severe headache or vomiting while on blood thinners. ## Common questions about bruising easily Why do I bruise more easily as I get older? Bruising more easily is a normal part of ageing. Blood vessels become more fragile and skin becomes thinner over time, so even minor bumps can leave visible bruises. Do blood thinners cause easy bruising? Yes, easier bruising is an expected effect of blood-thinning medicines such as warfarin, DOACs and aspirin. Report any major bleeding or a head injury to a doctor promptly, and never stop these medicines without medical advice. When is easy bruising a sign of something serious? Easy bruising is more concerning when it appears alongside petechiae (tiny red spots), bleeding gums or bleeding that takes a long time to stop. In these cases a GP will usually arrange blood tests to check your clotting. Can supplements make bruising worse? Some supplements, such as fish oil, may increase bleeding and bruising. Tell your GP about any supplements you take so they can be taken into account. ## Sources - [NHS — Blood tests](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/blood-tests/) - [NHS — Anticoagulant medicines](https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/anticoagulants/)