‘Why Do I Suddenly Have Random Bruises All Over My Body?!’

Every once in a while, you develop a health symptom so bizarre—like suddenly finding bruises all over your body—that it sends you into a total panic spiral. But guess what: We all have weirdo body issues that creep up and freak us out. That’s why we asked an expert to solve them in the March “Confessions” issue of Women’s Health. Here’s what you need to know if you’ve suddenly got some weird black and blues. 

Why you can stop spiraling: It’s rarely a sign of something serious. More likely: You’ve taken OTC pain medications like aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen. These can thin your blood, making you more likely to bruise, says Lori Tishler, M.D., director of internal medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. Although black and blues typically occur when you’ve been using these meds for a week or so, they can, for some, cause bruising with just one or two doses. OTC supplements like fish oil can also make you turn purple, adds Khorasani, since they have anticoagulant properties. (Learn how bone broth can help you lose weight with Women’s Health’s Bone Broth Diet.)