Differential Diagnosis for Woke Up with Bruising on Hand

• Single Most Likely Diagnosis
  • Easy bruising or senile purpura: This is a common condition, especially in older adults, where the skin becomes thinner and more prone to bruising due to minor trauma or even spontaneously.
• Other Likely Diagnoses
  • Trauma: Unintentional injury to the hand during sleep, such as bumping into a bed frame or hitting oneself while turning, could lead to bruising.
  • Medication side effect: Certain medications like anticoagulants (e.g., warfarin, aspirin), antiplatelet agents, or steroids can increase the risk of bruising.
  • Vitamin deficiencies: Deficiencies in vitamins C or K can affect blood vessel integrity and clotting, leading to easy bruising.
• Do Not Miss Diagnoses
  • Hematologic disorders (e.g., leukemia, lymphoma): These conditions can lead to abnormalities in blood cells and clotting factors, resulting in unexplained bruising.
  • Bleeding disorders (e.g., hemophilia, von Willebrand disease): Although less common, these conditions significantly impair the body's ability to form blood clots, leading to bruising and bleeding.
  • Vasculitis: Inflammation of blood vessels can cause bruising, and certain types can be serious and require prompt treatment.
• Rare Diagnoses
  • Ehlers-Danlos syndrome: A group of genetic disorders affecting connective tissue, which can lead to fragile skin and easy bruising.
  • Scurvy: A disease caused by severe vitamin C deficiency, characterized by fatigue, malaise, and connective tissue defects, including easy bruising.
  • Amyloidosis: A condition where abnormal proteins (amyloid) accumulate in various organs and tissues, potentially causing bruising due to blood vessel fragility.