How to make bruises fade quickly?

When you fall, hit hard, or hit something hard, the small blood vessels underneath the skin can burst and form a bruise. This happens because blood leaks out and collects at the site of impact. The blood will stay there until it is reabsorbed by the body during the healing process.

After bruising, dark, blue marks will appear on the skin for up to 2 weeks. You may also have pain and swelling, which is most painful for the first few days after your injury. The bruise will change color as it heals.

Here are some tips that can help your bruise go away faster.

Apply ice

Applying ice to the bruise immediately after the injury helps the bruise to dissolve faster. The cold temperature from the ice pack causes blood to flow in that area more slowly, reducing the amount of blood flowing out of the vessels.

Do not apply ice directly to the bruise, but protect the skin by wrapping ice in a thin towel. Remove the ice after about 10 minutes, as leaving it on for too long can be harmful to the skin. Ice can be applied to the bruise several times a day.

If there is no ice in the freezer, get a bag of frozen peas. Place the whole bag on the bruise for 10 minutes at a time to relieve pain, just like applying ice.

Hot compress

Heat increases blood flow and can help dissolve bruises. 48 hours after the bruise appears, place a warm compress on it several times per day. You can also soak in a hot tub to relieve pain and relax muscles.

Rested

Stop what you’re doing when you’re injured to prevent the bruise from getting worse. If you get kicked in the leg during a football game, leave the field and rest. This slows blood flow to the bruise.

Do not massage the painful area while resting as this can rupture more blood vessels under the skin and cause the bruised area to spread more widely.

Advanced

After an injury, raise the bruised site above your heart. This procedure uses gravity to keep the bruise from getting bigger. When the sore is below heart level, it’s easier for blood to pool there, which can make the bruise larger. But when the pain is elevated, more blood flows to the heart.

Compression

Compression is a way of applying pressure to the injured area, which can help soothe swelling caused by a bruise. It is best to use an elastic bandage and wrap the bruised area firmly but not too tight.

Analgesic

The pain should subside about 3 days after bruising. Meanwhile, if the bruise is painful or swollen, over-the-counter medications can be used to relieve the pain. Some analgesics have the added advantage of slightly increasing bleeding, especially in elderly patients or those already on blood thinners.

Natural treatments

Some natural substances can help get rid of a bruise more quickly, including:

Arnica: This flower-based cream can help reduce the effects of dark spots.

Bromelain: A group of enzymes found in pineapples, which can help bruises disappear faster.

Aloe vera: This plant has vitamins, minerals, and enzymes that soothe and moisturize the skin. It is used to treat many types of skin conditions, including bruises.

Vitamin K: Studies have shown that phytonadione, or vitamin K1, can speed the healing of bruises.

If, after a few days, the bruise doesn’t change color or heals, feels hard to the touch and starts to swell or become more painful, this could be a sign that a hematoma has formed. A hematoma is a lump that forms when blood begins to collect under the skin or in a muscle. This case requires the help of a doctor to drain the hematoma properly.

Another less common reason why a bruise doesn’t go away occurs when the body builds up calcium around the injury site. It will make the bruise both soft and hard to the touch and needs to be diagnosed by a doctor with an X-ray.

You should also seek medical attention if you notice any of the following:

– Dark spots show no signs of improvement after 2 weeks.
– Frequent bruising and bruises on the body that appear out of nowhere.
Feeling pain when moving a joint near the bruise.
The bruise is near the eye and makes it difficult to see clearly.
Bruises that seem to show signs of infection, such as red streaks, discharge, or a fever.

Mr. Ngoc (Follow WebMD)