A bruise, also known as a contusion, is an injury under your skin without an open wound or cut to the skin. This sometimes happens when you accidentally hit something hard or as a result of something hitting you. The skin and muscle tissue are damaged, and the capillaries just beneath skin are broken and red blood cells leak into the surrounding tissues of the affected area where it can be seen as dark spots on the skin’s surface.
Most bruises are not caused by any serious disease, so you should not be overly concerned unless the bruise doesn’t gradually heal or if it remains tender to the touch over the space of several days. Normally bruises will gradually vanish within a week or two from the time of the initial impact, and pain will disappear within a day or so.
Applying an ice pack to a newly formed bruise for around seven minutes will reduce the amount of blood pooling in the injured area as well as helping reduce any pain from the injury. You can repeat the applications every 20 minutes until you have no more pain, but be careful not to apply ice directly to the bruise as this may cause skin damage.
Understand that you using an ice pack improperly or applying ice directly to a bruise can cause more damage to the area than what was caused by the impact that created the bruise. Mind your application times, do not shorten your intervals between applications, and stop all applications when your pain is gone.
Once you no longer feel any pain and the bruises still exhibit redness, allow the bruises to rest about 5 hours uncovered. Then start applying hot compress for about 15 or 20 minutes every hour or so. Be sure the compress is not so hot as to burn the skin, and this on and off treatment program will accelerate the body’s healing process by stimulating blood flow and the bruise blood re-absorption. Your skin, capillary walls, and the muscle tissues around the site of damage caused by an impact will all experience quicker healing.
The simple elevation of the bruised area above your heart will help minimize blood flow to the injured area and will help lessen any swelling and pain. If this elevation causes lightheadedness or illness, you should consider visiting your doctor.
Topically applied arnica gel three or four times a day has proved effective for helping heal bruises for some people. It can reduce swelling and help the bruise to fade quickly. Forming a tincture with arnica, water, and alcohol can also be beneficial if properly formulated. Generally, one part water to five parts alcohol with the arnica is a good starting point. Other people use apple cider vinegar the same way people use arnica tinctures, with similar results.
These simple treatment tips can be helpful for you to treat existing bruises, but a much better idea is to reduce bruising easily before bruises occur. People worldwide have found that following the all natural Bruises Be Banned daily supplement program has helped them overcome their tendency to bruise easily, and they no longer have the need to treat existing bruises.
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