If you are accidentally hit, a bruise may appear at the site of the injury. Sometimes hematomas are in open areas of the body and they look ugly. How to get rid of a bruise quickly? Which of the methods are effective and safe, and which are useless
Hit the coffee table, slipped on the ice ... We all know how bruises are formed, which are replaced by bruises. What causes bruises and how to fix them faster?
A bruise is a damage to small blood vessels under the skin. If the skin itself is intact, blood accumulates underneath it and begins to coagulate, appearing as colored spots. Also, bruises, bruises of soft tissues, muscles, and bones are possible. The more serious the injury, the larger the bruise at the site of the injury. Bruises are usually more swollen and painful to the touch than minor bruises on the skin.
You may not have known, but bruises have their own classification. There are 2 main types:
Ecchymosis. A bruise occurs when blood from ruptured blood vessels seeps into the upper layers of the skin. A black eye is a typical example.
Hematomas. They develop when the blood thickens and forms a lump under the skin. The bruised area may be swollen and painful. Head injuries often cause bruising because the scalp contains many blood vessels that tend to rupture. A typical example is a bump on the forehead.
By the way, any injury to the head or near the eye can be serious and requires a doctor's examination.
A bruise is usually the result of an external force, such as hitting something, and there are other causes, including certain conditions, such as kidney or liver damage. Medical procedures or medications, including the anticoagulant warfarin, can cause bruising. Thinning of the skin associated with aging also contributes to bruising.
Most bruising is minor and will heal within 2 weeks. Do not be intimidated by the many shades of bruise that can appear during its transformation. This is part of the healing process - the body breaks down the blood into its constituents. Here's what to expect:
* after injury, the bruise is usually red or purple;
* within a few days, this area may turn black, blue, or purple;
* after 5 to 10 days, the bruise is likely to turn yellowish or greenish;
* after 10 - 14 days it will reach the final stage of healing - the bruise usually turns brown and brightens until it disappears completely.
But 2 weeks is long! Especially if there is a bruise on the face. To speed up healing, minimize swelling, discoloration, and pain, you need to do a few simple manipulations immediately after the injury:
1. Apply a cold compress to the injury site, for example, any frozen product wrapped in a towel, but for no more than 15 - 20 minutes ( a cold compress left on for a long time can cause frostbite). Then remove it, and after 30 minutes, reapply it. Do this as often as possible within 2 days.
2. After 2 days, apply a heating pad or warm compress to the injury. For leg or arm injuries, lift the limb above the level of the heart to prevent blood and fluids from accumulating in the injured area.
3. Use an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen.
4. Massage the affected area lightly to improve blood flow.
These steps will help reduce the bruising, but it will still show up. How long it takes to heal depends entirely on the sensitivity of your skin. But there are home remedies that are safe to treat and can help get rid of bruises faster.
Aloe vera
Aloe vera has anti-inflammatory properties and can help relieve pain. Aloe vera gel applied to the bruised area speeds up the healing process. It also helps reduce blood clotting.
A pineapple
This fruit contains bromelain, which is a mixture of enzymes and anti-inflammatory properties. Bromelain helps heal bruising and swelling when applied to the skin. Eating fresh pineapple also helps to get rid of the bruise faster. But if you are allergic to pineapple, this option is not worth using.
Apple vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has anti-inflammatory properties and helps with swelling. Mix it with water in a 2: 1 ratio, soak a clean cloth in the solution and apply to the bruise for 10 to 15 minutes.
Lavender oil
This oil is suitable for all skin types and can be safely used directly on the affected area. Take cold water and add 2 to 3 drops of lavender oil to it. Dampen a clean cloth with water and wipe the bruised area.
Diet to treat bruising
Certain foods also affect how long it takes for bruises to heal. They can help strengthen blood vessels and reduce bruising. If you are hurt, include in your diet:
citrus fruits - oranges, tangerines, and lemons;
Foods rich in vitamin K - spinach, broccoli, lettuce, soy, strawberries, and blueberries
natural quercetin fruits - apples, onions, cherries, and leafy green vegetables;
lean protein - fish, poultry, tofu, and lean meats.
Popular questions and answers
How long can a bruise last?
A bruise is a type of hematoma. In the first hours, we see nothing except a slight swelling and slight redness at the site of injury. And the bruise itself begins to develop after a day. On average, any bruise appears and disappears in about 2 weeks.
What is the danger of a bruise?
The bruise itself is not dangerous. And it may not be treated at all. If there is a bruise on your face, you can simply mask it, for example, with a foundation.
When to see a doctor for a bruise?
If a person immediately gets bruises at the slightest touch of hard objects (closet, chair), you need to see a doctor. Most likely, we are talking about some hematological diseases - thrombophilia, thrombocytopathy, pathology of the vascular wall. Such symptoms cannot be ignored.
Bruises can form after taking anticoagulants and antiplatelet drugs. They increase the tendency to bruise, especially in case of overdose. In this case, it is also worth visiting a doctor and discussing treatment with him.
It is important that the doctor see a patient who bruises spontaneously. For example, he lies, sits, does nothing, and then a hemorrhage appears in front of our eyes. These can be cases of rare pathology, for example, hemophilia, when, at the slightest injury, large bruises appear on the body, large hematomas, tense and painful, which squeeze the surrounding tissues.
Is it possible to get rid of a bruise in one day?
Nobody canceled three stages, and the bruise will go through them anyway. And, unfortunately, it is impossible to get rid of a bruise in one day, you can only speed up the process a little so that the stages replace each other faster, the bruise turns into yellow-green and disappears.