Differential Diagnosis for Tender Raised Bruises on the Arms
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Trauma or Injury: This is the most straightforward explanation for tender raised bruises, as it directly correlates with physical harm to the skin and underlying tissues, leading to bruising.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Vasculitis: Conditions like leukocytoclastic vasculitis can cause tender, raised bruises due to inflammation of the blood vessels.
- Thrombocytopenia or Coagulopathy: Disorders affecting blood clotting can lead to easy bruising, which may appear as tender raised areas on the skin.
- Infection: Certain infections, particularly those affecting the skin like cellulitis or erysipelas, can cause redness, swelling, and tenderness that might resemble raised bruises.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Abuse or Non-Accidental Injury: It's crucial to consider the possibility of physical abuse, especially in vulnerable populations like children, the elderly, or those with disabilities, as bruises can be a sign of mistreatment.
- Malignancy: Though rare, some cancers can cause bruising or bleeding into the skin, such as leukemia or lymphoma affecting the blood cells.
- Scurvy: A deficiency in vitamin C can lead to poor collagen synthesis, resulting in fragile blood vessels that can cause bruising.
Rare Diagnoses
- Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome: A genetic disorder affecting connective tissue, which can lead to easy bruising and poor wound healing.
- Amyloidosis: A condition characterized by the deposition of amyloid proteins in various tissues, which can cause bruising due to blood vessel fragility.
- Henoch-Schönlein Purpura (HSP): A form of vasculitis that affects blood vessels and is characterized by the deposition of immune complexes containing IgA antibodies, leading to purpura (bruising).