Does leukaemia cause easy bruising?

Leukaemia affects blood-forming tissues. In some forms, abnormal cells crowd the bone marrow and reduce the production of platelets, which help control bleeding. Fewer platelets can allow small blood vessels to leak under the skin after minor knocks, producing bruises. Other blood-count changes may cause tiredness, repeated infections, fever or unusual bleeding.

Easy bruising also occurs with medicines, nutritional problems, liver disease, platelet disorders and everyday unnoticed impacts. A clinician needs your history, examination and blood tests to identify the cause; the symptom on its own does not point to one condition.

Arrange a medical appointment if bruises are new, increasing, unusually large, appearing without a clear injury, or accompanied by nosebleeds, bleeding gums or marked fatigue. Make a note of when the bruising began, where it appears and any new medicines or supplements. Do not stop a prescribed blood-thinning medicine without medical advice. Protect bruised areas from further knocks while waiting for assessment.

Seek urgent help for bleeding that will not stop, vomiting or coughing blood, black stools, severe weakness, confusion, a severe headache after an injury, or breathing difficulty. Get prompt assessment for a rapidly spreading rash of pinpoint spots, especially with fever. These signs can indicate significant bleeding or an infection requiring immediate attention.

Could any of my medicines or supplements explain the bruising? Do I need a blood count or clotting tests? Which warning signs should take me to urgent care? How should I protect my skin while the cause is being assessed?