While there's no way to get rid of a bruise right away, there are things you can do to speed up the healing process. If properly cared for, severe bruises can go away in just a few days by following some of the techniques mentioned below. Read on to learn how to use home remedies and medicated creams to reduce your bruises.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Treating Bruises
Step 1. Add ice
Apply ice to your bruise for about 15 minutes every hour for the first few days after the bruise appears. The ice will reduce inflammation and swelling, which will help the bruise heal quickly.
Step 2. Give a warm compress after the second day
Once the inflammation has subsided with ice, you can apply a warm compress (not a hot compress) directly to the bruise. A warm compress will increase blood flow to the tissues and speed up the healing process.
Step 3. Lift the bruised body part
If your bruise is in a part of your body that you can lift, such as your arm or leg, be sure to raise the bruise above your heart to reduce blood flow to the wound. That way, the inflammation will decrease and the blood that goes to the wound will be reduced so that the color fades. Elevating the bruised area of the body works best when done as soon as the wound appears.
Step 4. Don't exercise too hard
For the first and second days after a bruise develops, avoid strenuous exercise as this will cause blood to be pumped all over your body. The more blood that flows through the wound, the worse it gets.
Step 5. Gently massage the bruised body part
Use your thumb to gently massage the outside of the bruise. Do not massage too vigorously or apply pressure to the center of the wound, as this will cause pain. Be sure to massage in circular motions to activate the lymphatic process so your body will naturally heal the bruise on its own.
Step 6. Dry the bruise in the sun
If you can leave your bruise in direct sunlight for 10 to 15 minutes, UV radiation will begin to break down the bilirubin - which causes your bruise to turn yellow. The sun will speed up this process and make your bruises go away faster.
Method 2 of 3: Using Home Treatments
Step 1. Rub vinegar and water on your bruise
Mix vinegar and warm water, then rub it into the affected area. Vinegar will increase blood flow to the skin's surface, which will encourage wounds to heal faster.
Step 2. Eat papaya or pineapple
Papaya and pineapple contain a digestive enzyme called bromelain that breaks down the protein that causes blood and fluid to become trapped in your tissues. Eat as much pineapple as you want because you want to absorb the bromelain and help your body get rid of the bruises.
Step 3. Apply and drink vitamin C
Take two approaches to getting enough vitamin C to heal your bruises fast.
- First, make sure you're getting enough vitamin C by eating foods like oranges, mangoes, broccoli, bell peppers and sweet potatoes. You can also take a vitamin C supplement to make sure you're getting enough vitamin C.
- Crush a vitamin C tablet and mix it with a little water to make a paste. Apply it directly to the affected area and allow it to dry before washing it off gently with water.
Step 4. Drink bilberry extract
Bilberry extract contains anthocyanins, a powerful antioxidant that can reduce the appearance of bruises by stabilizing collagen and strengthening capillaries. You can get bilberry extract in tablet form at most pharmacies.
Step 5. Puree the parsley leaf and apply it to the wound
Parsley contains anti-inflammatory ingredients that can help bruises go away faster.
Step 6. Eat fresh ginger
Just like parsley, ginger has anti-inflammatory properties and can support your immune system. Chop the ginger and soak it in hot water for a few minutes before drinking it. You can also buy ginger capsules or crush the ginger and apply it directly to the wound.
Step 7. Mix cayenne pepper with a little vaseline
Apply this mixture on the affected area and leave it on for a few hours. Wipe with a tissue whenever you need. Apply once every day until your wound is gone.
Step 8. Make a comfrey root paste
Puree comfrey root and add a little water to make a paste or soak a cotton ball in comfrey root tea. Apply the paste or apply a cotton ball to the affected area once a day until the sore is gone.
Step 9. Soak the wound in witch hazel oil
Witch hazel can speed up the healing process and reduce inflammation. Apply the oil and leave it for a few hours on the affected area. Repeat at least once a day until your sores are gone.
Step 10. Use oral bromelain supplements to speed wound healing
Take 200-400 mg of bromelain, an enzyme derived from pineapple, a maximum of 3 times a day to speed up healing while helping the body get rid of bruises after an injury.
Some supplements that should be avoided because they can aggravate bruises include omega 3 fatty acids, fish oil, garlic, vitamin E, and ginkgo biloba. Avoid all of these supplements until you get better
Step 11. Take advantage of the banana peel
Rub the inside of the banana peel to the wound. Eat the banana (because it tastes good).
Method 3 of 3: Using Medication or Cream
Step 1. Take paracetamol or ibuprofen, but not aspirin
Some pain relievers have anti-inflammatory properties and can reduce pain as well as swelling. However, avoid taking aspirin because it can thin the blood and make bruising worse.
Step 2. Apply arnica ointment or gel daily
Arnica is a plant that can relieve inflammation and fade bruises quickly. Arnica is available in cream or gel form at most pharmacies. Apply to the injured area twice a day until your wound is gone.
Step 3. Try applying topical vitamin K8 right after you have an injury
Apply a small amount of vitamin K8 to the injured area. This vitamin can help prevent bruises from forming or turning black.
Step 4. Let the leech suck your wound
If you can stand it, you can find a holistic drugstore that sells live leeches. Place the leech over the bruise. Leeches will suck blood on the top layer of the wound. Since the leech's saliva contains an ingredient that numbs you, you won't feel any pain during this process.
Tips
- Try not to get bruised in the first place!
- And if you do get bruised, there's no need to worry. Bruises will usually heal on their own without any specific medical treatment.
- Immediately compressing the ice pack is the best way to prevent the injury from bruising.
- Bruises generally heal quickly. Seek medical help if the bruise doesn't go away after two weeks.
- Put a clear plaster on the bruise and it won't show up.
- If you need to attend a special event, try hiding the bruise with makeup.
