For the most part, there are straightforward solutions, which may simply require taking some rest and letting it heal on its own. It is unrealistic to rush to the pharmacy or the doctor for every bruise. The best thing you can do is look after them at home. But before we learn how to heal bruises and get into the best home treatments for bruise removal, let’s talk about what bruises are.
What Is A Bruise?
Being the largest organ system in the body, the skin’s primary function is protection. Often, it gets caught in the middle and experiences cuts, bumps, and blows. ‘Bruise’ is the term used to identify the effect of any traumatic incident on the skin. It is a common type of injury in which discoloration of the skin occurs. This discoloration is because the blood vessels beneath the skin burst and leak blood into the surrounding tissue. This blood collects near the surface of the skin, resulting in a black/blue mark (1).
Home Remedies For Bruises
The home remedies for bruises in this article are effective in treating subcutaneous bruises that affect the superficial layers of the skin. Hematoma and inflammation are the two most common forms of subcutaneous bruising. Hematoma refers to the discoloration of the skin, wherein the capillaries in the underlying layers are injured, and the skin turns a range of colors from blue to red, yellow, and purple. Inflammation refers to swelling, which may or may not accompany a bruise (2). Marie Wilson, an adventure blogger, shares her tried and true method to manage bruises. She writes, “So the first thing is if you know that you’ve got a bruise developing is to try and stop the bleeding. You can do this by cooling the area with a cold compress (a flannel or cloth soaked in cold water) or an ice pack wrapped in a towel (don’t put ice straight on the skin as ice burns and a bruise is even worse!) (i).”She uses an arnica cream to speed up the healing process and also suggests using a cold compress, Epsom salt, and a vitamin-rich diet, particularly vitamins C and B12, to reduce bruising. Some of the remedies that can be used for subcutaneous bruising are listed below.
How To Get Rid Of Bruises Overnight
1. Ice Or Heat
a. Treat Bruise With Ice
You Will Need Ice pack or ice compress What You Have To Do When You Need To Do This Do this for two to three days. How This Works If the skin is inflamed after injury, an ice pack can help reduce the swelling. An ice pack can also be made by wrapping an ice cube in a piece of soft cloth. Applying an ice cube on a bug sting or insect bite also aids healing, reduces irritation, and decreases the inflammation (3). Dr. Sanul Corrielus, MD, MBA, FACC, says, “Apply ice to the area immediately following the injury to stop the flow of blood there. The amount of blood that seeps into the tissue around it can be reduced by cooling the blood vessels. This can lessen swelling and make the bruise less obvious.”
b. Treat Bruise With Heat
You Will Need
A hot pack Hot water
What You Have To Do You can also use a soft cloth dipped in hot water. Wring out the excess water and keep it over the bruise. When You Need To Do This Do this several times a day. How This Works A warm compress acts on a bruise by inducing blood flow to that area, speeding up the healing process. This heat therapy can be used on bruises after the inflammation subsides. The warm compression also releases shock and the pain of the injury (4). You can also rub a warm hard boiled egg on the bruise. Dr. Corrielus adds, “Heat can improve blood flow and circulation by applying heat. After the bruise has already formed, this will aid in the removal of the blood that has become trapped. Heat can also help relax tight muscles and alleviate pain.”
2. Essential Oils
You Will Need A few drops of lavender oil or tea tree oil What You Have To Do Take one to three drops of the essential oil and gently massage it into the bruise. You can use either one type of essential oil, or mix both of them in equal quantities and then use them. To avoid skin irritation, add the drops to one teaspoon of coconut oil before applying to the skin. When You Need To Do This Do this every few hours. How This Works Lavender oil has soothing effects on the body, along with being an analgesic and having healing properties (5). Tea tree oil sinks into the deeper layers of the skin and speeds up the healing process (6).
3. Vinegar
You Will Need
A few drops of white vinegar or apple cider vinegar 1/3 cup of warm water
What You Have To Do
- Mix the vinegar in the water, and gently massage this mixture into the bruise. 2. You can also dip a cloth in the solution and apply it to the bruise. When You Need To Do This Repeat this twice a day for five to six days. How This Works Vinegar, when mixed with water, forms an effective solution that increases blood flow and aids the healing process. Applying this mixture on the bruised area allows the blood that has gathered below the skin to circulate and prevents blood spots (7).
4. Epsom Salt
You Will Need
Epsom salt Hot water
What You Have To Do When You Need To Do This Do this every few hours. How This Works Epsom salt helps relax the muscle tissue and reduce the swelling. It is easily absorbed into the body, where it reaches the damaged tissue and relieves soreness (8). Caution This method can only be applied if there are no open wounds on or near the wounded region. Otherwise, the salt on the cut will sting pretty badly.
5. Vitamins
a. Vitamin C
You Will Need Vitamin C tablets What You Have To Do When You Need To Do This Take one tablet daily for three months. How This Works A diet rich in vitamin C is essential for the body’s recovery. This vitamin facilitates tissue building and recovery (7).
b. Vitamin K
You Will Need Ointment containing vitamin K What You Have To Do Apply the ointment to the bruise in gentle circular motions. When You Need To Do This Do this twice daily. How This Works Creams and ointments containing vitamin K are readily available in the market. They are handy for treating cuts. The properties in vitamin K encourage blood clotting and prevent further blood loss (7).
c. Vitamin D
You Will Need Vitamin D supplements What You Have To Do When You Need To Do This Include vitamin D supplements or vitamin D-rich foods in your regular diet. How This Works Vitamin D deficiency is linked to easy bruising. In combination with vitamins C and E, vitamin D promotes tissue healing and regrowth (9).
6. Arnica Oil
You Will Need
Arnica oil Warm compress
What You Have To Do When You Need To Do This Do this two to three times a day. How This Works One of the most popular home remedies for minor bruises and cuts is arnica. This herb is known to have many medicinal properties, and should find a place in homes where the members are prone to injuring themselves frequently. Arnica prevents infection, reduces swelling, and, if regularly applied, speeds up the healing process to a great extent (10).
7. Toothpaste
You Will Need
Toothpaste Bandage
What You Have To Do When You Need To Do This Do this every night for two to three days. How This Works The toothpaste helps in breaking up the clot and increasing blood flow to the bruised area. You will notice a lighter bruise mark in one night. It also helps to reduce the swelling (11).
8. Witch Hazel
You Will Need
Witch hazel solution or cream Cotton ball
What You Have To Do When You Need To Do This Do this two to three times a day. How This Works Witch hazel is a very popular herb when it comes to healing injuries such as a contusion or a bruise. Applying the extract of this herb heals wounds and reduces swelling. A bath with witch hazel can also greatly induce healing (12).
9. Crushed Parsley
You Will Need
Parsley leaves Elastic bandage
What You Have To Do When You Need To Do This It should be applied at regular intervals until the skin returns to its normal temperature and color. How This Works Parsley reduces inflammation and pain and also helps in getting rid of the bruise coloration (13).
10. Crushed Ginger
You Will Need
A small piece of ginger Soft cloth or gauze and plaster
What You Have To Do When You Need To Do This Repeat this for a day or two. How This Works Ginger is another herb that works wonders on inflamed skin. Most people who apply this method use cold compress during the day to speed up the healing process (14).
11. Vanilla Extract
You Will Need Concentrated vanilla extract What You Have To Do When You Need To Do This Repeat this two to three times a day. How This Works Applying vanilla extract on a bruised area helps to prevent it from turning blue-black. The antioxidants present help in promoting regeneration of cells and thus, in quicker healing of bruises. Vanilla extract also has anti-inflammatory properties (15). Caution Do not apply vanilla extract on burns.
12. Papaya
You Will Need A slice of papaya What You Have To Do When You Need To Do This Do this as soon as possible after the insect has stung. How This Works This fruit contains certain enzymes that are known to neutralize insect venom (16). To treat such bites, you need to first to take out the stinger (if it is lodged in the skin) and then apply the papaya slice.
13. Onion And Garlic
You Will Need
A slice of onion A clove of garlic
What You Have To Do When You Need To Do This Do this immediately after you bump into something. You can also reapply the crushed garlic two to three times a day. How This Works Rubbing a slice of onion on a bruised surface is often recommended to prevent blood from accumulating under the skin and also to reduce inflammation (17). Garlic is also applied by many individuals for the same purpose and effect. Additionally, it promotes fresh cell growth (18).
14. Sugar
You Will Need
Sugar syrup Bandage Ice pack
What You Have To Do When You Need To Do This Change the dressing every few hours. How This Works While most people concerned with healthcare are not huge fans of refined sugar, a little bit of sugar, mixed with a few drops of water, works well on the site of an insect sting. Honey and sugar have antibacterial properties (19, 20).
15. Cabbage Leaves
You Will Need
Cabbage leaves Hot water
What You Have To Do If you are scared of the hot water burning your skin, you can simply remove the main stem from the leaf and gently roll a rolling pin or glass over it. When You Need To Do This Repeat this with a new cabbage leaf two to three times a day. How This Works Cabbage leaves work well in getting rid of bruises on the face. Dipping in hot water releases the natural juices of the leaves. The pressure from the rolling pin also has the same effect. The anti-inflammatory properties of berteroin present in cabbage helps in reducing swelling and healing bruises quickly (21).
16. Fenugreek
You Will Need
Fenugreek seeds Water Cotton or sponge
What You Have To Do When You Need To Do This Repeat this twice in a day. How This Works The seeds of this medicinal plant have been shown to have analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. The concoction prepared from them reduces pain and swelling (22).
17. Garden Thyme
You Will Need
15-20 fresh thyme leaves Water
What You Have To Do When You Need To Do This Repeat the soaking two times a day. How This Works Thyme works effectively in fading away bruises (23). As this home remedy is a bath soak, it is easier for the herb to reach the bruises in difficult to reach places.
18. St. John’s Wort Oil
You Will Need
St. John’s wort oil Bandage
What You Have To Do When You Need To Do This Repeat this a few times during the day. How This Works This is a tested and tried method to fade away bruises. The oil contains tannins and astringents that aid in the quick healing of the bruised tissue. It can also be applied on cuts and burns (24).
19. Vaseline And Cayenne Pepper
You Will Need
One part cayenne pepper Five parts vaseline
What You Have To Do When You Need To Do This Do this once every alternate day. How This Works Cayenne pepper contains capsaicin that helps in fading away bruise marks and reduce the pain. It also speeds up the healing process of the damaged tissues (25, 26). Caution If you have a cut in your bruise, do not apply cayenne pepper as it stings badly.
20. Olive Oil And Mullein Flowers
You Will Need
A few mullein flowers One cup virgin olive oil
What You Have To Do When You Need To Do This Repeat this every few hours. How This Works Mullein is a multipurpose medicinal plant that acts as an emollient and astringent and has antibacterial properties. It is extensively used to reduce inflammation due to wounds and bruises (27). Olive oil adds to the mullein flower’s emollient activity and also provides nourishment for the skin cells (28).
21. Aloe Vera
You Will Need
Fresh aloe vera gel A soft cloth or gauze
What You Have To Do When You Need To Do This Repeat this process 2-3 times a day for a few days until the bruise starts to heal. How This Works Aloe vera is renowned for its anti-inflammatory and skin-soothing properties (29). When applied to a bruise, it may help reduce inflammation, ease pain, and boost healing. The natural cooling effect of aloe vera may also provide relief from any discomfort associated with the bruise.
Preventive Measures For Bruises
Here are some simple tips you can follow to protect your skin and body from bruising:
Wear proper footwear to keep your balance and prevent falls that may lead to injuries and bruising. Keep your surroundings free of clutter to reduce the risk of tripping or bumping into objects. Use soft, silicone brushes and loofahs while washing or exfoliating to avoid damaging your skin. If you engage in activities like sports where you might bump into things or fall, always wear protective gear.
What Causes Bruising?
The blood vessels present beneath the skin can burst or leak either because they have become weak or they are damaged. Some of the most common reasons that contribute to bruising are: Another common cause of bruises is ‘thinning’ of the skin, which is a natural process that occurs when individuals age. Serious medical conditions like autoimmune disorders, leukemia, and septicemia can also result in bruising (30).
Symptoms And Signs Of Bruising
a. Discoloration Of Skin: Initially, a bruise appears red in color. Slowly, this transforms into a black and/or blue color. Other colors that have been observed are green, purple, brownish and yellowish (31). b. Swelling: As a result of the damage the skin tissue has undergone, swelling can be seen at the bruise site. c. Pain: The high impact with which you bumped into something can lead to pain in the area. This can last for a few hours to a few days. d. Tenderness: The damaged tissue becomes highly sensitive to touch and tenderness can be observed. e. Severe Symptoms: These include persistent swelling and pain in the area of bruising or a bruise that doesn’t heal even after four weeks. Please consult a doctor under such circumstances (32). Some medications like blood thinners, as well as medical conditions like diabetes, may render some natural remedies for bruises ineffective. Besides, as bruises tend to heal themselves on a healthy body after a fortnight naturally and the entire home remedies act as catalysts to the healing process, it is important to seek medical and professional help, if pain or discomfort persists after some time. In some cases, prolonged inflammation may indicate internal injury or bruise too easily may indicate some pre-existing medical condition.
Types Of Bruises
A bruise can develop on any part of your body. We can categorize them into the following major groups: A. Bruise On Limbs: These include bruise on the leg, bruise on the thighs, bruise on an arm, bruised heels, bruise on the shin, bruised toes, and bruised finger. B. Bruise On Main Body: Commonly seen as hip bruise, bruises on the breast, bruises on stomach, and bruises on the back. C. Bruises On Face: Bruising around the eyes, bruised nose, bruise on the head, and bruise like spots on the cheeks are some common ones. D. Bruised Bone: Bruises can be internal and on the bones too. Knee bone bruise, ankle bone bruise, and bruised ribs are the most common complaints received by doctors. E. Bruised Internal Organs: When the physical impact is strong, it can form a bruise not only on the skin surface but also internally on the body organs. Some examples are bruised lungs, bruised liver, and bruised abdomen. These types of bruises can be dangerous as there are chances of internal bleeding. Each type of bruise has a severity rating depending on how serious it is. Learn more below!
Bruise Severity Rating
Bruises can be scored on a 0-5 scale to categorize their severity. Here is what you should know about these scores.
Score 0 is used for light bruises that usually cause no damage. Score 1 corresponds to mild bruises that may cause little damage to the skin. Score 2 features bruises of moderate severity that may cause some damage. Score 3 is a serious bruise that may be dangerous. Score 4 refers to bruises with extreme severity that may be very dangerous. The final score of 5 is for critical bruises that may even be fatal.
Stages Of Bruising
A fresh bruise is swollen and appears red in color. After a day or two, the red color transforms into a blue/black color. This discoloration is one of the major signs of bruising. Every few days, a change in the bruise color can be seen, and this goes from blue/black to green to yellow, and finally, brown. After this, the bruise markings disappear (33). Additionally, bruises can be scored on a scale of zero to five by of how severe they are and how dangerous the injury is.
How Long Does It Take For A Bruise To Go Away?
On an average, it takes about 10 to 14 days for the bruise mark to go away, and also for the skin to heal completely. However, this time period depends from person to person, and can be shorter or slightly longer.
What Would Happen If You Cut Open A Bruise?
A bruise is a closed wound. Depending upon how intense and deep the wound is, cutting open a bruise can cause bleeding. In case of deep bruises, you can try home remedies to stop bleeding to deal with the situation at hand. Additionally, this makes it more prone to acquiring infections either from the instrument you used to cut it with or from the environment. It is highly inadvisable to cut open a bruise.
Does Massaging Help In Quicker Healing Of A Bruise?
Massage therapy helps in relieving pain from the body. Gently massage for a few minutes using chamomile oil, aloe vera gel, calendula solution or ointments can be beneficial (34), (35), (36). Please do not apply extreme pressure, as the tissue under your skin is damaged and this might aggravate the pain. You can also take zinc and magnesium supplements to fasten the healing process (37), (38). Each of the top 21 home remedies for bruises goes a long way in effectively treating inflammation and hematoma. Some of them even take care of minor cuts, stings, and bites. However, sometimes, the effects of an injury may go deeper than the surface inflammation and discoloration of the skin. When pain or swelling persist for too long, it is best to have a doctor take a look at the bruise. Can a bruise leave a permanent mark? Usually, a bruise does not leave a permanent mark. However, repeated bruising in the same area may leave permanent staining on the skin. Do banana peels get rid of bruises? The antioxidant properties and potassium present in banana peels may help get rid of bruises. However, there is not enough research to support this claim. Does rubbing a bruise help? No. Indiscriminately rubbing a bruise can worsen it by rupturing more blood vessels in the process. Instead, apply gentle pressure on the wound until you get first aid. How long should a bruise stay dark purple? A deep bruise takes one or two days to turn a dark purple but within 5-10 days, it should be turning green or yellowish. Within 10-15 days, it should lighten to a light brown. How much pineapple should I eat to reduce bruising? You can eat 2 to 3 servings of pineapple a day to reduce bruising. Pineapple contains a group of enzymes called bromelain (1) that can potentially reduce bruising and associated swelling and pain (2). What do the colors of bruising mean? The color of the bruising indicates how much time has passed since the injury. Immediately after the injury, the bruise is red when oxygen-rich blood has gathered under the skin in the injured area. With time, the blood starts losing oxygen which leads to its discoloration. It turns dark red, maroon, or develops a greenish ring, indicating that the healing process has begun. A day or two later the bruise is bluish or dark purple as all the oxygen is gone and the red blood cells start breaking down. When the bruise is in its final stages, it starts fading away to brown and yellow shades. How can one prevent bruises from recurring? Bruises are the immune responses of the body against injuries, so if you get injured, it will bruise. However, some people get bruised easily, without any serious injuries. This may be due to underlying blood conditions, medicinal side effects, photodamage, or excessive strain to the body. Consult a medical professional and include bioflavonoids, vitamin C, hesperidin, and rutin in your diet. How to heal a bruise with toothpaste? Put on some toothpaste on the affected area and cover it with a Band-Aid overnight to expedite the healing process. Looking for simple ways to get rid of your bruises? Check out this video to know how to treat those unsightly bruises quickly, safely, and effectively.
