This article was medically reviewed by Daniel Wozniczka, MD, MPH and by How.com.vn staff writer, Glenn Carreau. Dr. Wozniczka is an Internal Medicine Physician, who is focused on the intersection of medicine, economics, and policy. He has global healthcare experience in Sub Saharan Africa, Eastern Europe, and Southeast Asia. He serves currently as a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Public Health Service and a Medical Officer for the Epidemic Intelligence Service in the CDC. He completed his MD at Jagiellonian University in 2014, and also holds an MBA and Masters in Public Health from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
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It’s frustrating to wait weeks for a bruise to heal, especially when it’s in a highly visible spot, so how can you speed up the process? Bruises form when the small blood vessels near your skin’s surface are broken. Blood leaks into the tissues under your skin and that familiar black-and-blue mark forms on your skin. However, a few simple home remedies can help your bruise fade quickly and easily. Keep reading for a list of effective treatments that’ll heal even the nastiest bruise!
Things You Should Know
- Apply ice immediately after you get a bruise and elevate the area. Compress the bruise with an elastic bandage to reduce swelling.
- Give the bruised area some rest for a few days and apply a heat pack 48 hours after getting the bruise to reduce its severity.
- Use natural, topical remedies like arnica ointment, vitamin K cream, or comfrey cream to make the bruise fade.
- Eat pineapple and food containing vitamin C, like oranges, to promote wound healing and help fade the bruise.
Steps
Expert Q&A
Tips
Tips from our Readers
- Gently massage around the bruise after applying ice, as long as it doesn't hurt it. This supports blood flow in your veins and improves circulation.
- Most of the time, bruises go away in a week or so on their own. If it doesn't hurt when you aren't touching it, it may be best to leave it alone.
- If the bruise is mostly healed and the skin is not severed, you can make the bruise less obvious using concealer and pressed powder makeup.
- If the bruise is around a joint (elbows, knees), try moving that part once it a while so the joint doesn't get stiff.
References
- ↑ http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/007213.htm
- ↑ http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/007213.htm
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007213.htm
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15235-bruises
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2763764/
- ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12140470/
- ↑ https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1365-2133.2010.09813.x
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3491633/
- ↑ https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/bromelain
About This Article
While it takes time for a bruise to heal, you may be able to help speed along the healing process by applying an ice pack to the bruise for no more than 15 minutes every hour. After 24 hours, apply a hot compress for about 20 minutes to help circulate the blood that has gathered under the skin. Applying arnica gel, vinegar, or witch hazel to the bruise may also help it to heal more quickly. Keep reading to learn tips from our medical reviewer on when to seek medical help for a bruise, such as if you feel extreme pressure in the area.
Reader Success Stories
- "The ice bit and warm compress was good, it helped me a lot. Also, I tried propping the body part up, it really works!"..." more
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