When you fall or bump into something hard or you are hit by something, it may damage the blood vessels known as capillaries under the skin and you get a mark that is known as a bruise. Your blood leaks out of the small blood vessels and the pooled blood shows as blue and black and then when it breaks down, its color keeps on changing. This color is then converted into purple and then into green and yellow. Bruises fade away on their own in 15 days. If you want to treat bruises quickly then you can use some treatments to get rid of bruises. Read this article, to know some treatments to cure bruises.
When an injury occurs, the small blood vessels pop and accumulate beneath the bruised skin that causing your skin to turn black or blue. Bruises may often painful and can get swollen. Bruises can last from 2 to 6 weeks without any treatment. Often times, a bruise can occur on the face or shoulders that can heal faster. Going out with bruises is never fun.
Symptoms of Bruises:
- Pain on the affected area.
- Blue or dark in color
- Yellow or green in color
Causes of Bruises:
- Ankle sprain
- Bleeding
- Muscle strain
- Animal bite
- Sports injuries
- Human bites
- Accidents
Best Remedies to Get Rid of Bruises:
1. Ice Pack to Treat Bruises Fast
Putting some ice on the bruise will help to reduce swelling and helps to heal more quickly. It helps to increase blood flow to the skin and it is very useful for effective results.
Directions to Use Ice Pack:
- Fill a plastic bag with ice chips or you can use a bag of frozen vegetables like peas or corn. Wrap the bag in T-shirt or a towel and apply it over the bruise.
- There are also flexible gel filled ice packs, which are designed for injuries. They are available in the market. You can also apply such types of ice packs on the bruise.
- Place ice over the bruise for 15 minutes. Over chilling the skin may cause frostbite.
2. Apply Heat to the Bruised Area to Treat Bruises
Heat application helps to increase the circulation in the bruised area to clear the blood clotting. Never apply heat before 48 to 72 hours have passed from the time you got the bruise. This will help in the accumulation of blood into the injured site.
Directions to Use Heat:
- You can use an electric heating pad and apply it to your bruised area. Do it for 20 minutes at a time. Repeat it many times in a day.
- You can also apply a warm compress to your bruised area. Use a hot water bottle or you can make a compress by heating a cloth. Soak a washcloth in warm water and apply it to the bruised area many times a day for faster healing.
3. Arnica to Get Rid of Bruises Fast and Naturally
Arnica is best known for wounds and bruises. This herb will help to promote the movement of white blood cells and improve the blood circulation. White blood cells will remove damaged cells and replace them with healthy ones. It helps in faster healing of bruises. It will also increase the movement of fluid buildup so that it can be easily removed.
Directions to Use Arnica:
- Boil dried arnica herb and put the coconut oil over the arnica.
- Stir it well and cover it and let it infuse on low heat for a day.
- Turn off the heat and let it cool down for an hour.
- After an hour, use the cheesecloth and strain the solution into the bowl.
- Now add the beeswax to this mixture and dissolve it completely.
- Store it in a jar and now you can apply it to the bruises.
4. Parsley to Heal Bruises Naturally and Fast
Parsley is one of the best home remedies for bruise. The strong anti-inflammatory properties of parsley help to reduce swelling and pain from bruises. It will also help to fade away the bruise quickly.
Directions to Use Parsley:
- Take some fresh parsley leaves, crush them to get its paste.
- Apply this paste over your bruise.
- With the help of elastic bandage, wrap your bruised area covered with this paste.
5. Witch Hazel to Heal Bruises Fast and Naturally
Witch hazel is one of the most useful herbs for bruises. It is a good remedy for bruises and for sprains as well. The great astringent properties of witch hazel help to stop the leaking blood in the blood vessels. It will help in reducing swelling and faster healing process.
Directions to Use Witch Hazel:
- Soak the cotton ball in witch hazel lotion and apply it to the bruised area.
- Place it for a few minutes and repeat it 2 to 3 times in a day.
6. Comfrey Compress to Treat Bruises Naturally
Use this herb for treating bruises. This herb will help you to heal bruises fast. It contains a component known as allantoin, which is the good anti-inflammatory agent. It will not only help you to heal the wound but also promote the growth of new cells.
Directions to Use Comfrey Leaves:
- Take 2 tbsp of dried comfrey leaves and pour 2 cups of hot water over it.
- Allow it to steep for ten minutes and then strain the solution.
- Soak a washcloth or a gauze pad in this herbal solution and apply it to your bruised area.
- Leave it for an hour.
7. St. John’s Wort Oil to Get Rid of Bruises Fast
This oil is best to heal wounds. The high amount of tannins in this oil helps to shrink the tissue so that the capillary bleeding can be controlled. Moreover, the astringents and anti-inflammatory properties of this oil help in reducing swelling.
Directions to Use St. John’s Wort Oil:
- Fill your jar with fresh St. John ’s Wort flowers and chop them.
- Pour some olive oil over these flowers and cover the jar with the lid.
- Mix it well and place it in a cool dark place.
- Shake it once or twice daily.
- Allow the flowers soak for 2 to 6 weeks.
- Use cheesecloth and strain it with the infused oil over a strainer.
- Store it in a container and apply it 2 to 3 times daily over your bruise.
- You can use this oil in many other conditions such as a toothache, sunburns, nerve pain, painful jaw etc.
8. Apple Cider Vinegar to Get Rid of Bruises Fast
Being an anti-inflammatory, apple cider vinegar helps to heal bruises. It will help to increase the blood flow near the skin area. It will disperse the pooled blood in the bruised area.
Directions to Use Apple Cider Vinegar:
- Take ¼ cup of apple cider vinegar and mix it with 2 cups of water.
- Soak a paper towel or a cloth in this solution and apply it to the affected area and compress it for ten minutes.
- You can also use onion which helps to reduce inflammation and pain.
9. Essential Oils to Get Rid of Bruises Fast
Massaging the bruised area with some essential oils will help to increase circulation and helps to disperse the pooled blood.
Directions to Use Essential Oils:
- Mix 5 drops of calendula oil, 2 drops of fennel oil and 1 drop of cypress oil in 4 tsp of grapeseed oil.
- Rub this oil to the bruised area gently.
- Do it once daily for a few days.
10. Herbal Tea Compress to Get Rid of Bruises Fast
Herbal tea is one of the best home remedies for treating bruises. Use a cold tea compress as it will soothe the affected bruised area and reduce swelling.
Directions to Use Herbal Tea:
- Put a tsp of each of dried lavender flowers and chamomile flowers in a cup of warm water.
- Cover it and keep it for 15 minutes.
- Strain this solution and refrigerate it.
- Dip a cotton ball in this cold herbal tea and apply it as a cold compress.
- Repeat this process a few times in a day.
Additional Tips to Prevent Bruises:
- You can apply aloe vera gel which is very soothing.
- Try to place a banana peel in the bruise for 15 minutes.
- You may have the deficiency of Vitamin K if you feel you bruise too easily. If you are taking any blood thinners then don’t increase your vitamin K levels.
- Don’t apply ice for too long as it may appear reddish.
- Don’t scratch your bruise. It will either damage or spread.
- Don’t massage directly around the bruised area.
- You can use vitamin K cream that will help to fade the bruise.
- If the bruise is too painful then don’t massage it.