How to Heal Bruises Fast
Bruises – or contusions – occur when the soft tissues of your body have been bumped. Some people easily bruise, but when you hurt yourself and the small veins and capillaries under the skin break, you’ll have a bruise.
Characteristics of “bruises”
The bluish, purplish, reddish or blackish colouration of bruises is caused by blood which flows out of the broken blood vessels caused by an injury, and they often change colour as the body heals. There are specific phases:
- Phase 1 is when you bump yourself against something and a red or purplish area forms. It might swell up, too, and be tender.
- Next – usually after a couple of days, the bruise may turn blue or black.
- After 5-10 days, it might go green or yellow.
- After two weeks, if it’s still around, it may turn light brown, getting lighter and lighter, until it finally disappears.
Some bruises last for two weeks, but many go away more quickly. If your bruise doesn’t disappear after this time, see a doctor.
Natural remedies for bruises
In order to heal a bruise quickly, you’ll need to treat the bruise carefully. Don’t massage the bruise directly, make sure you rest and limit alcohol consumption. Make sure you get enough protein, eat healthy food and try one of the following remedies out for size.
Ice
The best way to remedy a bruise it to but a cold compress on the injury for around 10 minutes as soon as you hurt yourself. Get some ice and wrap it in a wet teatowel or clean cloth and press this compress against your bruise straight away. Ice causes the blood vessels in the damaged area to constrict, which will stop the internal bleeding and help them heal more quickly.
Comfrey leaves
Comfrey leaves can be used to heal a bruise. Use fresh leaves and grind them to make a paste. Apply the paste and then leave it on until it dried. Now put a second layer on, and let that dry. Wash it off with lukewarm water. If you can’t find fresh comfrey, try boiling dried comfrey and soaking a clean teatowel in it. Leave the soaked towel on the area for 15 minutes.
Cabbage
Apply macerated cabbage leaves to the damaged area. Cabbage can help with the healing, reduce the swelling and sooth the injury. Cabbage contains elements that are beneficial to the body and speed up the healing process. It is also a calming remedy.
Tea bags
Take a sage or chamomile tea bag and soak it with warm water and put it onto the bruise. This remedy will soothe the pain and reduce inflammation. Leave the tea bag on for 15 minutes and try to relax somewhere while the treatment is working.
Aloe vera
Aloe vera leaves should be filleted like a fish. Use only the gel, as the skin can be prickly down the sides. Aloe is great for pain and swelling. It’s also a great thing to put on burn, broken skin and spots.
Pineapple
Eating pineapple allegedly helps your bruise heal really fast. It does have a high vitamin C content and enzymes that help your body regenerate.
Garlic
Eating fresh raw garlic will help heal up the bruise and prevent infection if there is any broken skin, due to its antibiotic properties.
Onion
Cut a raw onion in half and apply the inner part of the onion to the affected area. Don’t do this if you are wounded and the skin is broken! The onion juice is healing and will help prevent a bad bruise from forming.
Homeopathic remedies
Arnica and hypericum are nice remedies for bruises, and help calm the recipient of the treatment, too. Arnica is good for trauma and for healing bruises quickly. Apply as an ointment.
Hypericum is given when bruises occur after an accident or serious injury, and help reduce the pain. Also gently apply as an ointment. Both arnica and hypericum should be available at your local chemist or health food shop.
Rescue remedy can work as a nice extra, and helps calm a child or frightened person after a physical or emotional trauma. You can find it at most alternative medicine shops, and is a handy remedy to bring out when things temporarily turn for the worst.
