You may have knocked your shin on a coffee table or bumped into your desk. You get a bruise when the skin is struck with force yet the skin is unbroken and blood rushes to the damaged tissues below the surface. As a first step, elevate the area that is bruised. Apply an ice pack to reduce swelling. After the first 24 hours, heat can be applied after swelling and inflammation have subsided. These tips can help you feel better too.
WHEN TO SEE YOUR M.D.
A serious bruise may indicate underlying injuries. Head bruises could be a sign of skull fracture and may require medical attention. If pain from a bruise is worse after 24 hours, get checked out to make sure there is not a broken bone. If bruises occur without any evidence of trauma (such as bumping into things), they may be an indication to get checked for anemia, leukemia, or a deficiency in vitamin C with bioflavonoids or vitamin K.
GOOD TO KNOW!
If you bruise easily, take a supplement of vitamin C with bioflavonoids and rutin to help strengthen collagen production and the capillaries. Look for a combination remedy that contains about 1,000 mg vitamin C and 250 mg bioflavonoids daily.
NATURAL REMEDIES TO REDUCE INFLAMMATION
Bromelain, an anti-inflammatory enzyme derived from pineapple, can reduce swelling and inflammation. Take 500 mg two or three times daily.
You can apply an herbal salve, like comfrey, to a bruise or essential oil of lavender (no more than 5 drops) can be applied as it is a powerful anti-inflammatory agent.
Chinese patent formulas that help bruising include Zheng Gu Shui, Dit Dat Jou, and Tiger Balm. Gently apply them to the bruised area three or four times daily.
NATURAL REMEDIES TO IMPROVE CLOTTING ABILITY
Consume plenty of vitamin K–rich foods, such as green leafy vegetables, which improve your blood-clotting ability. Nettle tea is also high in vitamin K. Drinking 1 quart (950 ml) daily can help if you bruise easily.
HOMEOPATHIC REMEDIES FOR BRUISES
Usually 3 or 4 pellets of the following homeopathic remedies are slowly dissolved under the tongue 3 or 4 times daily for bruise relief:
• Homeopathic Arnica soothes deep bruises. You can take this by mouth and topically, in the form of a salve, oil, or gel, but only on unbroken skin.
• Homeopathic Ruta graveolens helps pain caused by a blow and for one who feels as if the bone is bruised. Ruta is most often used when it is the elbow, kneecap, or shin that has been bruised.
• Use homeopathic Hypericum for bruises to sensitive areas such as fingertips, lips, nose, or eyes.
• Homeopathic Bellis is taken for bruising with swelling that is worse from pressure and better from motion and rest.
• Homeopathic Ledum is the remedy for bruising with extreme tenderness that is made better by cold and rest and worse from warmth and motion.
• Homeopathic Rhus tox is good for swelling and inflammation around the soft tissue and when the joint feels better after having moved a bit.
Easing Black Eye Inflammation
You can think of a black eye as a bruise around your eye. It happens when blood and other fluids collect in the space around the eye, resulting in swelling and dark discoloration. Here’s how to feel better fast.
HOMEOPATHIC HELP FOR BLACK EYE
Use homeopathic Ledum for black eyes when cold applications help. Homeopathic Hypericum can help excessive pain. Homeopathic Arnica can help if there is injury to the soft tissue above or below the eye. If there is injury to the eyeball, use homeopathic Symphytum.
This Bruise Treatment article is taken from :
The Country Almanac of Home Remedies - Brigitte Mars
