10 Home Remedies For Bruises
Bruising is a form of trauma that is common in both children and adults. A bruise can occur on any part of the body including the hands, arms, face, abdomen, and legs.
Bruising occurs when a part of the body receives a blow during a fall, physical exercise, accidents, or physical abuse. This causes small blood vessels within the skin to leak blood. This shows as a darker patch of skin.
Some health conditions as well as some medications can lead to easy bruising. According to medical statistics, women are more prone to bruising than men. A bruise is generally a mild form of injury that can be treated at home.
Home Remedy #1: Ice
Ice can be a good remedy for bruises. What you need to do immediately when you get a bruise, is to put some ice on it to stem increase in blood flow to the site. By reducing blood flow to the bruised area, ice can help reduce leakage of blood or bleeding. This will reduce inflammation and to some extent, prevent swelling.
A reusable ice pack can be convenient in this case, or a bag of ice, frozen vegetables wrapped in a bag, a towel, or a piece of cloth. Place the ice on the bruised area for about ten minutes, remove it, and wait for twenty minutes before reapplying it. Repeat this process several times to soothe the bruise and initiate healing.
Home Remedy #2: R.I.C.E
R.I.C.E is an abbreviation for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. R.I.C.E has been used over the years to offer some relief, including for people who have undergone surgery. You can also use R.I.C.E as a home treatment for bruises.
R.I.C.E temporarily reduces blood flow around the injured site, which prevents or reduces swelling. To achieve this, you apply the ice to the site for about 20 minutes every hour. You then apply a light bandage for compression.
Also, as much as possible, keep the injured part elevated above the level of the heart. This will discourage blood pooling. By starting the use of the R.I.C.E method as soon as possible, you can reduce inflammation, swelling, pain, as well as the time it takes to heal.
Home Remedy #3: Sunlight and Aloe Vera
Vitamin D is essential for overall health and skin health in particular. It can also help in the treatment of bruises. Your body synthesizes vitamin D when you bask in the sunshine. However, you still need to consume foods rich in vitamin D. You can also take vitamin D supplements to help your body heal from bruises.
Another effective home remedy for bruises is the versatile aloe vera. Aloe vera helps to reduce inflammation, swelling, and pain. Apply aloe vera get to the bruised area and let it go to work. But ensure that the product you use is pure aloe vera gel without chemical additives.
Home Remedy #4: Bromelain
Bromelain is a medicinally beneficial enzyme that is present in large quantities in pineapples. It has anti-inflammatory properties and is an effective home remedy for bruises, colds, and other ailments.
For bruises, bromelain reduces inflammation and swelling which are necessary for healing. These fruits are also rich in vitamin C. A study by the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery showed that, compared to painkillers and placebo, oral Bromelain helps to reduce swelling and pain after tooth extraction. Eating lots of pineapple can help with your bruises. You can also apply a cream containing bromelain topically, two to three times daily until the bruise heals. Note, however, that oral bromelain supplements may have some side effects such as increased heart rate and digestive issues.
Home Remedy #5: Quercetin
Quercetin is an ingredient in some skin creams used in the treatment of bruises. It is a flavonoid that comes from certain plants including peppers, grapes, apples, red onions, broccoli, and black and green tea. Quercetin is similar to bromelain.
Quercetin works in the healing of bruises due to its powerful anti-inflammatory properties. You can also get some gels containing quercetin combined with bromelain, vitamin K, and other ingredients. If you choose to use a quercetin cream or gel for bruises, ensure that you use it according to the provided instructions. It is not safe to take quercetin by mouth unless it is a product recommended by your doctor.
Home Remedy #6: Epsom Salt
Epsom salt, which is mainly composed of magnesium sulfate, also has several medicinal benefits including treating bruises. You will need Epsom salt and warm water.
Mix the Epsom salt with water at a rate of two tablespoons to one liter of water. Soak a ball of cotton with the mixture, squeeze out excess water, and then apply it onto the injured area. You can repeat the procedure every two to three hours until the pain subsides. The reason why Epsom salt works is that it is easily absorbed into the body through the skin. It helps to reduce inflammation and swelling, and relaxes muscles.
Home Remedy #7: Vitamin K Cream
Vitamin K is beneficial to the body as it helps in blood clotting when necessary. It can help to prevent or stop bleeding from a bruise. However, if you are taking blood thinning medication, a vitamin K pill is not really a good idea. Vitamin K cream is effective when it comes to helping bruises to heal. It is also quite safe for most people to use because it is topical. A study published by the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, found that vitamin K is more effective at helping a bruise to heal than a placebo.
When shopping for a vitamin K cream to help in treating any bruises, choose one that lists vitamin K as the first ingredient. You should also ensure that you apply the product according to the instructions given.
Home Remedy #8: Arnica
Arnica is an herb which is an effective home remedy bruises and pain relief. Arnica contains compounds with anti-inflammatory effects that can easily be absorbed into skin. There are many studies that have shown that arnica works pretty well in the treatment of bruises.
One study found that taking arnica orally after a rhinoplasty led to improvement in appearance. Another study showed that applying arnica ointment on the skin helped to speed up the healing process. Note that if you experience any irritation or develop a skin rash while using arnica, you should stop using the product immediately and seek for an alternative.
Home Remedy #9: Comfrey
Comfrey is a plant that is used medicinally to treat inflammation and other ailments of the skin. The plant has proven healing properties that can come in handy when you suffer some bruises.
What you need to do is apply comfrey cream onto the bruised area a few times daily. You can also use dried comfrey leaves as a compress. Put the dried leaves in boiling water for about ten minutes. Afterward, wrap the leaves in a piece of cloth and apply onto the bruised site. You can do this several times a day to help the bruise heal faster.
Home Remedy #10: Essential Oils
Essential oils such as frankincense, lavender, and cypress can also work as home remedies for bruises. What’s more, essential oils also help you to relax. To make the essential oils work even better, you can add a few drops onto vitamin K or even arnica.
Add a few drops of lavender oil onto a clean piece of cloth and apply it as a compress to the bruised part. Note, however, that you need to dilute the oils with a lotion or carrier before applying to skin. Concentrated essential oils are very potent and can, therefore, irritate skin, which may worsen the bruises.
