Bruises happen when small blood vessels are damaged beneath the skin, causing blood to leak and create that characteristic black-and-blue mark. First aid can help minimize swelling, pain, and discoloration while supporting the natural healing process.
What are the Symptoms of Bruises?
The cause of a bruise usually determines the symptoms you could experience. The skin getting discolored is often the first sign of a bruise. Although black and blue are the usual colors of a bruise, they can also be:
- Brown
- Purple
- Green
- Red
- Yellowish (usually appears as the bruise is healing)
Pain and tenderness in the injured area can be common with bruises. These signs go away as the bruise keeps healing.
There are certain symptoms that point to more serious conditions. Get immediate medical attention if you experience these circumstances:
- Bruise getting amplified when you take aspirin or other blood thinners.
- Bruise that takes place with a suspected broken bone.
- Pain and swelling where the bruise is present.
- Painful bruising under your nails.
- Having a bruise after a hard fall or blow.
- Bruise that doesn’t go away even after four weeks.
- Bruise that is accompanied by blood in the eyes, stool, or urine
What Causes Bruises?
If you see a bruise suddenly appear on your knee or shin, chances are it occurred as a result of bumping into a chair, bedframe, or doorframe without noticing.
Some of the other causes that often lead to bruises are:
- Muscle strain
- Car accidents
- Head injury
- Sports injuries
- Ankle sprain
- Concussions
- Experiencing a blow, such as when someone hits you or you get hit by an object, such as a ball
- Taking supplements
- Consuming blood thinners
If you ever come across a child who has unexplained bruising, take them to a healthcare provider right away to determine what caused it. This is because the bruising could be a result of not only a serious illness, but also abuse.
First Aid for a bruise:
1. Apply Cold Therapy Immediately
- Ice the Area: As soon as you notice a bruise, gently apply an ice pack, a bag of frozen vegetables, or a cold compress wrapped in a thin cloth to the injured area. This helps constrict blood vessels, thereby reducing blood flow and minimizing the size and swelling of the bruise.
- Duration: Keep the ice on the bruise for 10–15 minutes at a time. Allow the skin to warm up for at least 45 minutes to an hour before refrigerating it again.
- Frequency: Repeat the icing process several times during the first 24–48 hours post-injury.
2. Elevate the Injured Area
- Elevation: If possible, elevate the bruised area above heart level. This helps reduce blood flow to the area and minimizes swelling. For example, if you have a bruise on your arm or leg, prop it up on a pillow or cushion.
3. Compression (Optional)
- Elastic Bandages: For larger bruises with significant swelling, you might gently wrap the area with an elastic bandage. This can help prevent further swelling. However, take care not to wrap too tightly, as this could impair circulation.
4. Pain Relief and Soft Tissue Support
- Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers: If the bruise is painful, consider taking a pain reliever such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). These can help reduce pain and, in the case of ibuprofen, also help reduce inflammation.
- Rest: Giving your body adequate rest can help minimize further injury and promote healing.
5. Heat Therapy After 48 Hours
- Warm Compresses: After the initial 48 hours, when most of the swelling has gone down, you may apply a warm compress or a heating pad to the bruise. Heat increases blood flow and can help speed up the healing process by promoting the removal of trapped blood.
- Caution: Do not apply heat too early, as it may increase swelling if used during the acute phase of the injury.
6. Monitor the Bruise
- Observe Changes: Typically, the color of a bruise changes over time—from red or purple to greenish and then yellow as it heals.
- When to Seek Medical Advice:
- If the bruise is extremely painful or significantly swelling.
- If the bruise does not improve after a couple of weeks or if you notice signs of infection (increasing redness, warmth, or pus).
- If bruising occurs frequently or easily, which might indicate an underlying bleeding disorder.
Prevention
While it’s not always possible to save yourself from getting bruised, there are certain precautions you can take to prevent bruises from occurring. These prevention measures include:
- Keeping the rooms and floors clear in a way such that there aren’t any tripping hazards involved.
- Keeping a flashlight turned on every time you walk through poorly or dimly lit areas.
- Wearing the necessary protective gear while riding a motorcycle or bicycle or while playing contact sports.
- Keeping the furniture away from walkways and doorways so that you don’t bump into hard surfaces.
- Consuming enough vitamins through your meals and diet.
Natural Treatments
A few natural substances may help get rid of a bruise more quickly, including:
- Arnica: This cream made with this flower may help lessen the effects of a bruise.
- Bromelain: A group of enzymes found in the pineapple, may help make a bruise go away faster.
- Aloe vera: This plant has vitamins, minerals, and enzymes that soothe and moisturize the skin. It’s used to treat many types of skin conditions, including bruises.
- Vitamin K: Studies have shown that phytonadione, or vitamin K1, can speed up the healing of bruising.
REFERENCES
- Thompson DA. Skin injury. In: Adult Telephone Protocols: Office Version. 5th ed. American Academy of Pediatrics; 2022.
- Schmitt BD. Skin injury (bruises, cuts, and scrapes). In: Pediatric Telephone Protocols: Office Version. 17th ed. American Academy of Pediatrics; 2021.
- Patient education: Taking care of bruises (The basics). https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search.
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