Have you ever gotten a bad bruise that swells and is extremely sore? Caused by broken blood vessels under the skin, bruises can last for several weeks. As they heal, they tend to change colors.
Just like any other injury, bruises need time to heal, but you can help your body heal more quickly by how you treat a bruise. Home treatment of bruises range from the traditional to the new. Check out the 5 things you can do to help your bruises heal faster.
R.I.C.E. The traditional standby given to us by the Mayo Clinic is extremely important. You need to rest the place that's bruised as much as possible. Apply ice to help reduce swelling. Use a light elastic bandage for any area to which you can give compression so that it has support. Elevate the area as soon as possible to keep the blood from pooling.
Acetaminophen. If the bruise is really uncomfortable, WebMD recommends taking a mild painkiller like acetaminophen. Avoid aspirin and ibuprofen as they thin the blood and can cause extra bleeding under the skin.
Arnica. Arnica is an herb that can be taken orally or used topically to speed healing, according to Medical News Today. You can get arnica in a gel that can be applied twice a day to help the bruise fade and heal more quickly. Bromelain gel. Livestrong points out that pineapple contains a substance called bromelain that decreases bruising and is an anti-inflammatory. You can eat the pineapple, but you can also get it in a topical gel that can be applied to your skin and absorbed.
Quercetin. Another topical treatment offered by Medical News Today is quercetin. It is placed in a cream that is often used in conjunction with bromelain and vitamin K. These substances together appear to help bruises heal much more quickly than letting them heal on their own.
By taking care of your body when it gets bruised, you can help it heal faster and get rid of the discomfort sooner. Although nature must take its course, you can help speed it along
