Buzz
Can a daily dose of aspirin keep you healthy? Due to its anti-clotting properties, regular aspirin use is often recommended to help prevent strokes and heart attacks, while also reducing the risk of heart disease in certain individuals [source: Mayo Clinic]. However, as with any medication, there can be side effects, including its potential impact on skin health.
Aspirin is commonly prescribed in small daily doses to lower the risk of heart attacks and strokes, thanks to its effect on platelet clotting in the bloodstream. When a person bleeds, platelets gather at the wound to form a plug. However, clots can also form within blood vessels, leading to blockages that cause strokes or heart attacks. Aspirin reduces the platelet's ability to clump, thus lowering the risk of these events [source: Paddock].
One of the most frequent skin-related side effects of long-term aspirin use is bruising. Bruises occur when capillaries are damaged, allowing blood to pool visibly under the skin. As aspirin is a blood thinner – the same quality that helps prevent strokes and heart attacks – it can also slow down the healing of blood vessels [source: Mayo Clinic].
In some cases, combining aspirin with other chemicals can lead to more severe skin reactions, such as cold, clammy, red, swollen, or blistered skin [source: Drugs]. If you experience these reactions or if bruises or skin discoloration worsen, consult your doctor immediately. These could indicate serious reactions requiring urgent medical attention.
Aspirin, as an NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug), can also cause allergic reactions. Individuals with asthma should be especially cautious about this possibility [source: Griffin].
Aspirin may also have a potential benefit in the fight against skin cancer, according to some researchers. Animal studies suggest that aspirin could inhibit the development of certain types of skin cancer. Additionally, a 2005 Australian study found that people who used aspirin daily for a long period were less likely to develop certain skin cancers compared to those who did not [source: Butler].
However, Andrew Chan and Nancy Cook from Brigham & Women's Hospital in Boston, in the same issue of The Lancet that reported Rothwell's findings, expressed caution, stating that while the research was promising, they were not yet ready to recommend aspirin for cancer prevention. UK health officials shared this view. Nonetheless, Chan and Cook acknowledged that the research was "a step closer to broadening recommendations for aspirin use" [source: Paddock].
In general, taking aspirin daily is unlikely to significantly affect your skin. If you do experience side effects, they may subside by lowering the dose. As always, consult your doctor before starting or adjusting your daily aspirin regimen, and be sure to disclose all medications you're taking to avoid potential interactions [source: Griffin].
If side effects become bothersome, there are other alternatives to consider, including but not limited to quitting smoking, eating a balanced diet, cutting back on alcohol, maintaining a healthy weight, and staying active [source: Paddock]. However, if the potential heart benefits of regular aspirin use outweigh the risks, some skin discoloration or bruising may be a small price to pay for heart health benefits.
