My mother has thin skin, it starts bleeding at the drop of a hat, what could be causing that?

Fragile or thin skin that tears easily is a fairly common problem, especially in older adults. Several factors may contribute to thin skin:

* Aging. With increasing age your skin becomes thinner and loses some of the protective fatty layer that helps cushions your blood vessels against injury.

* Sun exposure. Excessive sun exposure breaks down collagen and elastin fibers in the deep layer of your skin (dermis). Over time, your skin loses elasticity and becomes more fragile.

* Genetics. Genetics may play a role in making skin more fragile as well as more susceptible to sun damage.

* Side effect of medication. Certain medications, such as long-term use of oral or topical corticosteroids, can weaken skin and the blood vessels in skin.

* Certain medical conditions — such as amyloidosis, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome or bleeding disorders — can affect skin.

Thin skin isn't necessarily a sign of a serious underlying medical condition but should be evaluated by a doctor to determine its cause. To protect thin skin and prevent tears and cuts:

* Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants.

* Avoid prolonged sun exposure.

* If you must be outside in the sun, use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15.

* Keep skin well moisturized and protected by using a quality moisturizing cream, such as Vanicream, Cetaphil or Eucerin.

Depending upon age -50's + the body's HGH level is very low-in contrast to a 20 year old!!! The low HGH makes for many signs of aging such as thin skin!!

That combined with sun damage , loss of subcutaneous fat and collagen due to oth sun and age can lead to less elastic and pliable skin !! All these can result in bleeding with little trauma!!

Some longterm use of meds can exacerbate the condition or even cause it!!!!

Use of anti-oxidant cream will help-short of supplementing with HGH injections!!

Reduction of hormones in general is what creates havoc for the elderly and in fact creates many of the conditions of aging-but that is an answer for another day!!

If age is not the issue here then there can be a medical problem that should be addressed!!!

quickly go see a doctor this could be serious