The moment you hear the word bruise, you either think about domestic violence or a fight. However, you should know that it is not always because you had a fight and someone punched your face and turned it black and blue, as the traditional description goes.
What Causes Bruises?
Anyhow, there are several things that can cause bruises on your skin but all bruises are basically caused due to the damaged blood vessels under your skin. And blood vessels get damaged when something hits your skin pretty hard.
You may bruise more easily as you get older and skin becomes thinner. Blood vessel walls thin with age as well, and may become so fragile that a bruise appears even though you have not impacted anything with sufficient force to notice the event.
Normally, bruises will fade away in 10 to 14 days without any treatment. Although, bruises eventually go away on their own, as said earlier, there are some of the remedies that can help you get rid of them faster.
Few of the reasons why you should try to get rid of bruises faster is because it reduces the pain and encourage faster fading, minimize discoloration, and to boost circulation.
Other causes of bruises could be the side effects of drug, deficiency of vitamin K (found in dark green, leafy vegetables), and vitamin C deficiency could also be to blame.
Home Remedies For Bruises
Apply Ice As Soon As Possible
If you cool the blood vessels around the bruised area, less blood will leak out into the surrounding tissue. You can also soak a cloth in ice-cold water and lay it over the bruise for 10 minutes. Take it off after 10 minutes, and wait 20 minutes or so before you reapply the ice pack so you don’t over-chill the skin underneath.
Tie Elastic Bandage
If you’ve bruised your arm or leg, immediately wrap an elastic bandage around the bruised part. By squeezing the tissues underneath, the bandage helps prevent blood vessels from leaking. The bruise won’t be quite as severe.
Use Height
If you bruise your leg, for instance, and you can take a time-out, settle into a couch or lounge chair with your leg up on a pillow, above heart level. If it’s your arm that’s bruised, try to keep it propped up above heart level whenever you’re sitting.
Apply Heat
After cooling the bruise for 24 hours, start applying heat to bring more circulation to the area and help clear away the pooled blood. Use an electric heating pad for 20 minutes several times a day.
Warm Compress
Comfrey contains compounds that reduce swelling and promote the rapid growth of new cells. Make a warm herbal solution by pouring 2 cups of boiling water over 30 grams of dried comfrey leaves or 60 grams of fresh leaves. Steep for 10 minutes, then strain. This is for an external use only—it’s not for drinking. Soak a gauze pad or a washcloth in the solution and apply it to the bruise for an hour.
Vinegar
Vinegar mixed with warm water helps the healing process. Vinegar increases blood flow near the skin’s surface, so it may help dissipate the blood that has pooled in the bruised area.
Rubs
Rub a little tincture of arnica or arnica gel onto the bruise. Arnica (Arnica montana) comes from a plant in the daisy family that grows in the Rocky Mountains, and it’s wonderful for bruises, sprains, and sore muscles.
Aloe Vera
A versatile plant — Aloe vera, also soothes skin irritation. It is also used to remove scars and bruises from the skin.
Bilberry Extract
Bilberry extract contains anthocyanosides, which are potent antioxidants that may help reduce or eliminate bruises by stabilizing collagen, increasing intracellular vitamin C levels and strengthening capillaries.
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