Older people tend to bruise easily because of changes to their skin as they age. Doctors from the Mayo Clinic explain that aging causes the protective fatty layer in the skin to become thinner. This means that elderly people are more prone to random bruising than younger adults.3
According to a report prepared by the University of California, elderly people may also be less stable on their feet and can bump into objects frequently causing accidental bruising. However, the report recommends that any unexplained bruising on an older person be investigated to rule out the possibly of abuse. Authors of the report said that 90% of bruising occurs on the legs and arms and very rarely on the neck, ears, buttocks, or soles of the feet.4
Vitamin deficiency
One cause of random bruising on legs or bruises that appear after a minor injury is a vitamin deficiency. For example, a lack of vitamin C can lead to scurvy which causes unexplained bruising and bleeding. Vitamin K is needed to help blood clot properly and prevent random bruising.
The Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology reported that ascorbic acid (vitamin C) helps to strengthen blood vessels and prevent them breaking. Vitamin C supplements are also used to help reduce random bruising in patients suffering from skin diseases that cause bruising.5
