Blood and Vessel Problems
People with hepatitis C infection often get a vascular condition called cryoglobulinemia. This occurs when certain proteins in your body fluids (blood and lymph) stick together in cold weather. They can accumulate in blood vessels and restrict blood flow, which causes damage and swelling. Cryoglobulins can affect your skin, organs, joints, and nerves.
HCV also can cause problems with blood cells. You may not able to make enough white blood cells and platelets, which fight infections and help your blood clot respectively.
The infection can also get red or purple spots under your skin or make you bruise easily. Easy brusibility is a sign of a bleeding disorder called ITE (immune thrombocytopenic purpura).