Differential Diagnosis for Easily Bruising

The following differential diagnosis is organized into categories to help guide the thought process:

• Single Most Likely Diagnosis
  • Vitamin C Deficiency (Scurvy): A common and often overlooked cause of easy bruising, particularly in individuals with poor dietary habits or increased requirements.
• Other Likely Diagnoses
  • Vitamin K Deficiency: Essential for blood clotting, a deficiency can lead to easy bruising and bleeding.
  • Platelet Disorders (e.g., Thrombocytopenia or Platelet Function Disorders): Conditions affecting platelet count or function can impair blood clotting, leading to easy bruising.
  • Medication Side Effects (e.g., Anticoagulants, Steroids): Certain medications can increase the risk of bruising by affecting blood clotting or vessel wall integrity.
  • Hormonal Changes (e.g., Menstruation, Pregnancy): Fluctuations in hormone levels can affect blood vessels and lead to easy bruising.
• Do Not Miss Diagnoses
  • Bleeding Disorders (e.g., Hemophilia, von Willebrand Disease): Although less common, these conditions can have severe consequences if missed, including significant bleeding and bruising.
  • Leukemia or Lymphoma: Malignancies affecting blood cells can lead to easy bruising due to impaired blood clotting or platelet function.
  • Liver Disease (e.g., Cirrhosis): Liver dysfunction can affect the production of clotting factors, leading to easy bruising and bleeding.
  • Renal Disease (e.g., Nephrotic Syndrome): Certain kidney conditions can increase the risk of bruising due to loss of proteins involved in blood clotting.
• Rare Diagnoses
  • Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome: A genetic disorder affecting connective tissue, which can lead to easy bruising and bleeding due to fragile blood vessels.
  • Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum: A rare genetic disorder characterized by mineralization and fragmentation of elastic fibers, leading to easy bruising and bleeding.
  • Amyloidosis: A condition characterized by the deposition of abnormal proteins, which can affect blood vessels and lead to easy bruising.