Minutus

What would be the rubric for apparently spontaneous bruising? There's
no apparent medical cause (this in two people), they just bruise really
easily, and in one person sometimes without any noticeable impact. The
other doesn't seem to be exactly spontaneous, but just very, very
easily.

I'd thought this would be "ecchymosis", but the cross-reference there
is "Discoloration, red spots".
Thanks,
Shannon

One thought -- you might find what you're looking for under the various "purpura" rubrics. Ecchymosis and extravasation both have an implication of injury in them.
Rosemary

Ah, thanks so much! I think "Purpura, idiopathic" is what I've been
wanting.

Shannon

Hi Shannon

Make sure when you are deciding on your prescription that you have correctly
identified the etiology of the condition - as the consequences could be
serious if for example the etiology was a platelet disorder, rather than the
benign actinic purpura caused by atrophy of the connective tissue in the
dermis from UV damage.

If the cases you are referring to are actinic purpura, which is often found
in the elderly, but can be found in younger persons with history of large
sun exposure, you may be better served including in your rubrics:

SKIN - Atrophy (this is what happens to the skin from UV damage)
or
Skin - purpuris - senilis or its counterpart Skin - purpura - old people.

The remedies that act on platelet disorders will be a slightly different mix
than those that act on damaged connective tissue in the dermis, and immune
based disorders.

Actinic purpura has a slightly different presentation and natural history
than the others - especially the color - however, definitely the better
problem to have than the others.

Best

Robyn
"The fact is we need any and every way of finding the right remedy; the
simple simile, the simple symptomatic similimum and the farthest reach of
all - the pathologic similimum, and I maintain that we are still well within
the lines of Homoeopathy that is expansive, progressive, science fostered
and science fostering." (Dr. J. Compton Burnett)

Thanks Robyn,
Actually the two people are myself and my ten-year-old son, and we've
both been this way "forever". Vitamin C stops the bruising (and in my
case gum bleeding and discomfort), as does Ashwagandha herb.

Which I mention only because I *think* it gives clue to what's
happening? Apparently having to do with fragility of the blood vessels
rather than platelet disorder? I am only guessing... Neither of us
has ever been prone to nosebleeds, or any trouble with wound healing,
and I'm definitely not using this as a primary prescribing symptom, but
just exploring...

Would you say that "Skin, purpura, idiopathic" is the appropriate
rubric, or does it bring anything else to mind?
Thanks!
Shannon

Hi Shannon

primates and guinea pigs have something in common -- we don't synthesise
Vit. C.

It seems that other than the 'scurvy' of the past and severly malnourished
folks, there is a subclinical chronic form of scurvy now recognised,
especially discussed by the supporters of Vitamin C doses higher than the
RDA's offered by Government sources.

I read an article and will find it if you are interested, on atheroma of the
retinal vessels and subclinical chronic scurvy -- and its connection to the
prediction of atherome generally throughout the body - and free radical
theory on ageing and disease.

With regard to yours and your son's symptoms, I suppose, if Vitamin C
'fixes' it, then you both are particularly susceptible to this deficiency -
Vit. C being necessary for collagen production, and therefore, maybe the
rubrics that refer to 'scorbutic' lesions etc. will be relevant --- here are
ones from RU and Synthesis:

MOUTH - PHENOMENA - SCORBUTIC gums
MOUTH - PHENOMENA - ULCERS - scorbutic gums
ABDOMEN - PHENOMENA - PAIN - scorbutic
SKIN - PHENOMENA - ERUPTIONS - scorbutic, spots
SKIN - PHENOMENA - ULCERS - scorbutic
CLINICAL - PHENOMENA - SCURVY, scorbutus
FACE - ERUPTIONS - scorbutic
MOUTH - SCORBUTIC Gums
MOUTH - ULCERS - Gums - scorbutic
SKIN - ERUPTIONS - scorbutic, spots
GENERALS - SCURVY, scorbutus

Because you and your son do not have a platelet disorder, or immune
disorder, then what you are left with is the atrophy of the dermal tissue to
do with UV damage - which is common in the elderly and some younger ones ---
so maybe these rubrics would still be applicable (the ones to do with skin
atrophy and purpura of elderly), as the end result of Vit C deficiency may
be mimicked here ----- If you cross with the scorbutic and with hemorrhagic
diathesis, you will probably find what you need. It is definitely in the
'constitutional' department!

Here's a selection for consideration --- just ideas --- you likely know
yours and your sons constitutional remedy possibilities already:

GENERALS - HEMORRHAGE
GENERALS - HEMORRHAGE - passive, oozing
SKIN - PURPURA
SKIN - PURPURA - idiopathica
SKIN - PURPURA - senilis
CLINICAL - PHENOMENA - SCURVY, scorbutus
Re Vit. C --- you would know what are sources natural and otherwise ---
Synergistic nutrients include Vit A, B5, 6, and 12, E, calcium, folate,
iron, lipoic acid, lysine, magnesium, manganese, methionine, selenium and
zinc.
Bioflavanoids increase absorption by 35%

Best

Robyn
"The fact is we need any and every way of finding the right remedy; the
simple simile, the simple symptomatic similimum and the farthest reach of
all - the pathologic similimum, and I maintain that we are still well within
the lines of Homoeopathy that is expansive, progressive, science fostered
and science fostering." (Dr. J. Compton Burnett)

Robyn, You are a fountain of wonderful ideas! For some goofy reason I
hadn't even thought of the "scorbutic" angle, but now that you mention
it... (Actually, for some further off-topic musings, the high Vitamin
C need in my family seems related to wimpy adrenal glands--which
increases the need for a number of nutrients, and all of that
normalizes marvellously on a "good" remedy.
Thanks again!
Shannon