Bruising can occur easily from minor injuries, medical conditions, or medications. While bruises typically heal on their own, they can be uncomfortable and unsightly. When you get a bruise, it’s caused by blood vessels under the skin breaking and leaking blood into surrounding tissues. This results in the discolored, sometimes painful marks on your skin.
The good news is there are steps you can take right after getting a bruise to help prevent or reduce it. Certain home remedies, gentle care, and precautions can make a big difference in bruise healing time and severity.
Why Bruises Form
Bruising happens when you sustain an impact or injury that’s forceful enough to break blood vessels under the skin. The breakage causes blood to leak and pool into tissues and spaces surrounding the vessels. As your body works to repair the damage, the blood turns colors like blue, purple, green, yellow, and brown before it’s reabsorbed and cleared away.
People bruise more easily from a number of factors including:
- Older age
- Female gender
- Genetics
- Nutrient deficiencies
- Blood thinning medications
- Chronic illnesses
The face, arms, and legs tend to show bruises most noticeably because the blood vessels are closest to the skin surface in these areas.
First Aid Tips
As soon as you get a bruise, there are simple first aid steps you can take to minimize swelling and inflammation:
- Rest – Avoid using or putting pressure on the bruised area.
- Ice – Apply an ice pack wrapped in cloth for 10-20 minutes several times a day.
- Compression – Use an elastic bandage to gently compress the area.
- Elevate – If possible, keep the bruised area raised above heart level to reduce swelling.
Being gentle with the bruised site will prevent further injury and give your body the chance to start mending damaged tissues and blood vessels.
Home Remedies
Many common home ingredients can help minimize bruising when applied topically right after an injury occurs. Here are some of the most effective options:
Cold Compress
Using a cold compress constricts blood vessels to reduce blood flow to the area. This limits leakage of blood into surrounding tissues. Apply an ice pack wrapped in a thin towel for 10-20 minutes several times a day.
Arnica
Arnica is an herb that contains compounds thought to help tissues absorb blood and fluid from bruises. It comes as an ointment, gel, cream or oral tablet. Gently apply or take arnica as directed soon after bruising.
Pineapple
Pineapple contains the enzyme bromelain which may help clear away bruised blood and fluids. Eat fresh pineapple or apply juice directly to the skin if not sensitive or broken.
Aloe Vera
The soothing, anti-inflammatory properties of aloe vera gel may aid bruise healing. Gently massage pure gel into the bruised area.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C helps produce collagen which strengthens blood vessels. Take 1,000 mg daily by supplement or vitamin C-rich foods like oranges, peppers and broccoli.
Vitamin K
Vitamin K helps improve blood clotting. Consume leafy greens like spinach, kale or take a supplement to prevent blood vessel leakage.
Precautions for New Bruises
While a bruise is fresh and healing, take care not to re-injure the area which could worsen it. Here are some precautions to take:
- Avoid heat – Don’t apply heat like heating pads or hot water bottles.
- Don’t massage – Massaging can increase blood flow and swelling.
- Use sunscreen – Sun exposure can increase bruise inflammation.
- Don’t re-injure – Prevent falls, impacts and strains to the bruised area.
- See a doctor – If bruising is severe, seek medical advice.
When to Seek Medical Care
In most cases you can manage a bruise at home with simple self-care. But some circumstances warrant a doctor’s evaluation. Seek medical attention if:
- The bruise is very large or swelling rapidly.
- You have unexplained or excessive bruising.
- The bruised area is numb, tingling or extremely painful.
- You have signs of infection like redness, warmth, pus or red streaks.
Prompt medical care is also advised if the bruise resulted from major trauma like a car accident or sports injury. An untreated underlying fracture, sprain or internal bleeding could be present.
Bruise Severity Levels
Doctors grade bruises into three broad severity categories to help guide treatment:
| Grade | Severity | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mild | Minimal swelling and tenderness |
| 2 | Moderate | Noticeable swelling, discoloration and pain |
| 3 | Severe | Extensive deep tissue bleeding and symptoms |
Higher grade bruises require more intensive monitoring and care to prevent complications. But even minor bruises warrant first aid treatment to speed up recovery.
When to Expect Bruise Healing
Bruises go through distinct color changes as your body reabsorbs the leaked blood and repairs damaged tissues. Here is the typical bruise healing timeline:
| Timeframe | Color | What’s Happening |
|---|---|---|
| First 1-2 days | Red to blue or purple | Blood vessels ruptured and blood released into tissues |
| 3-10 days | Blue or purple to green | Hemoglobin in blood breaks down |
| 10-14 days | Greenish to yellow | Biliverdin hemoglobin pigment fades |
| 2-4 weeks | Yellow to brown to gone | Broken blood cells and hemoglobin cleared |
Depending on factors like your age and health, a bruise can last anywhere from 2 weeks to over a month. Severe bruises may take months to fully heal.
Treatments from Your Doctor
For more stubborn or serious bruises, your physician may recommend or prescribe the following treatment options in addition to home care:
- Medications – Oral or topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to alleviate pain and swelling.
- Creams – Prescription steroid creams to reduce inflammation.
- Injections – Steroid injections into deep bruises to promote healing.
- Laser therapy – Low level laser light to help clear away blood and fluids.
- Surgery – For severe compartment syndrome bruising to relieve dangerous internal pressure.
Talk to your doctor if over-the-counter remedies aren’t improving your bruise within 2 weeks or if the area shows signs of infection.
Preventing Bruises in the Future
While some bruising is inevitable, you can reduce your risk by taking these key preventative measures:
- Wear protective gear – Helmets, pads, guards to prevent impacts during sports.
- Increase caution – Be more aware during activities to avoid bumps and falls.
- Improve balance – Do exercises to strengthen muscles and improve steadiness.
- Get vision checked – Poor vision can contribute to accidental injuries.
- Maintain healthy diet – Eat fruits and veggies high in vitamin C, K and zinc.
- Control blood disorders – Manage conditions like hemophilia which increase bruising.
- Avoid blood thinners – Discuss options if on medications that affect clotting.
- Strengthen blood vessels – Exercise improves vascular health and resilience.
Making lifestyle changes to be more vigilant and building overall health can reduce everyday bruising occurrences.
Know When to Worry
For the most part bruises are harmless and fade on their own. But some key warning signs indicate a more serious underlying issue requiring medical care:
- Bruises without an injury or known cause
- Bruises accompanied by bleeding from gums or nose
- Numerous or abnormally large bruises
- Bruises that don’t improve with typical healing time
- Bruises along with feeling extremely tired or weak
Unexplained or excessive bruising can signal health problems like blood disorders, liver disease, certain cancers or the use of blood thinning medications. It’s important to seek evaluation if you have any concerns.
The Bottom Line
Bruises form easily from everyday bumps and knocks. While rarely serious, they can be uncomfortable and unsightly. Immediately after injury, prompt first aid like icing, compression and elevation can make a big difference.
Home remedies, over-the-counter medications, and care to avoid re-injury also help minimize bruising. Most bruises heal fully in 2-4 weeks with self-care. See a doctor for severe or worsening bruises, infection, or any worrying symptoms.
With some basic knowledge of bruise first aid, home treatment, and prevention, you can reduce ugly bruising and get back to normal activity sooner.