Iron deficiency anemia has a wide range of symptoms, including tiredness and fatigue. There are also many symptoms that you can identify visually on your skin that can indicate low iron and iron deficiency anemia.
Unexplained and Long-Lasting Bruises
Bruises are the result of damage to the capillaries, the minuscule blood vessels that distribute nutrients under the skin. When these become damaged due to pressure or a sudden impact, some blood escapes into the tissue and can be seen as a purplish blotch, a bruise. Iron deficiency anemia could be what’s behind frequent bruises or a lower threshold for bruising.
Without sufficient iron, your body can’t keep up with the demand for hemoglobin. This leads to less healthy blood cells and a loss of strength within the capillaries. They’ll break more quickly and take longer to heal. This means you’ll bruise more easily and find bruises lasting longer.
Rashes Associated With Anemia
When most people say “anemia rash,” they’re referring to the purple or red spots that appear in cases of aplastic anemia. This type of anemia is a severe condition caused by problems with the patient’s bone marrow. There is a reduction in red blood cells, but not due to a lack of iron as in iron deficiency anemia.
Having been said that, you can still develop a rash from iron deficiency anemia. Those suffering from low iron often develop itchy skin, which they scratch and can eventually leave their skin red or swollen. You could also have a very severe rash if you take ferrous sulfate drugs for iron deficiency anemia and turn out to be allergic.
Paleness Due to Low Iron
Paleness is one of the most well-known symptoms of iron deficiency anemia. It goes hand in hand with the general fatigue that many feel when suffering from low iron. The cause here is quite simple. Iron deficiency anemia means that your body can’t make the red blood cells that make your blood red. Without them, your skin loses much of its red hue and appears paler.
This paleness can be recognized almost anywhere, although most will see it in the face first. A more careful assessment can involve looking at the gums, fingernails, or the inside of the eyelids. All of these areas will also become paler in cases of iron deficiency anemia and can distinguish it from other common causes of paleness.
Managing Your Iron Deficiency Anemia
There are a few different ways to address iron deficiency anemia. It could be that your diet simply doesn’t have enough iron, and adding some iron-rich foods could be enough. You might consider a supplement like ferrous sulfate, but you risk side effects like the previously mentioned allergic reactions.
For the best results, you can try an all-natural solution. IronCatch works to increase your body’s natural iron absorption with oligosaccharides and vitamins. IronCatch is gluten-free and suitable for anyone, delivering an effective and safe solution for iron deficiency anemia.
