FIRST AID TREATMENT FOR BRUISES

A bruise forms when a blow breaks blood vessels near your skin's surface, allowing a small amount of blood to leak into the tissues under your skin. The trapped blood may cause a bruise that at first looks like a black-and-blue mark and then changes color as it heals.
If your skin isn't broken, you don't need a bandage.

Causes of a Bruise

People typically get bruises when they bump into something or when something bumps into them.

• Bruises can occur in some people who exercise vigorously, such as athletes and weight lifters. These bruises result from microscopic tears in blood vessels under the skin.
• Unexplained bruises that occur easily or for no apparent reason may indicate a bleeding disorder, especially if the bruising is accompanied by frequent nosebleeds or bleeding gums.
• Often, what are thought to be unexplained bruises on the shin or the thigh, for example, actually result from bumps into a bedpost or other object and failing to recall the injury.
• Bruises in elderly people frequently occur because their skin has become thinner with age. The tissues that support the underlying blood vessels have become more fragile.
• Bruises are also more common in those taking medicine to thin the blood. 

Symptoms of a Bruise

• Initially, a fresh bruise may actually be reddish. It will then turn blue or dark purple within a few hours, then yellow or green after a few days as it heals.
• A bruise is commonly tender, and sometimes even painful for the first few days, but the pain usually goes away as the color fades.
• Because the skin is not broken in a bruise, there is no risk of infection.

 Consult your doctor if you: 

• Notice very painful swelling in the bruised area
• Are still experiencing pain three days after a seemingly minor injury
• Have frequent, large or painful bruises, particularly if your bruises appear on your trunk, back or face, or seem to develop for no known reasons
• Have easy bruising and a history of significant bleeding, such as during a surgical procedure
• Notice a lump (hematoma) form over the bruise
• Are experiencing abnormal bleeding elsewhere, such as from your nose or gums or in urine or stool
• Suddenly begin bruising, but have no history of bruising
• Have a family history of easy bruising or bleeding

These signs and symptoms may indicate a more serious problem, such as a blood-clotting problem or blood-related disease.

USE THESE SIMPLE FIRST AID TREATMENTS FOR YOUR BRUISES;

• Elevate the injured area.
• Apply an ice pack wrapped in a towel or a cloth dampened with cold water. Do this for about 10 minutes. Repeat several times a day for a day or two after the injury as needed.
• Rest the bruised area, if possible.

Consider acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) for pain relief, or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) for pain relief and to reduce swelling.

                                             OR

• A cold compress such as an ice pack or a bag of frozen vegetables should be applied to the affected area for 20-30 minutes in order to speed healing and reduce swelling. Do not apply ice directly to the skin. Wrap the ice pack in a towel.
• If the bruise takes up a large area of the leg or foot, the leg should be kept elevated as much as possible during the first 24 hours after the injury.
• Acetaminophen
•  may be taken for pain as instructed on the bottle. Avoid aspirin or ibuprofen
•  because they slow the blood from clotting and may, in fact, prolong the bleeding.
• After about 48 hours, heat in the form of a warm washcloth applied to the bruise for 10 minutes or so two to three times a day may increase blood flow to the bruised area, allowing the skin to reabsorb the blood more quickly. Ultimately, the bruise will fade in color.

 Medical Treatment for a Bruise

 

 

Doctors have no special treatment for bruises other than the techniques described above: ice packs and later heat, over-the-counter medications for pain, and elevation of the bruised area, if possible.

A suspected victim of domestic abuse may be referred to a social worker.

Bruise Prevention

To prevent a bruise:

• Wear protective gear (like shin guards) while playing contact sports such a soccer.
• Place furniture away from doorways and common walking paths within your home.
• Keep phone and electrical cords away from open areas where you may trip and fall.
• Be sure floors are kept dry and that rugs are slip resistant.
• Keep floors free of clutter.
• Plug in a small night light or use a flashlight if you need to walk to the bathroom during the night.
• If your doctor has prescribed blood-thinning drugs, be sure to have regular monitoring and adjust medications as necessary.