Are you wondering how to get rid of a bruise?
While these minor injuries are usually no cause for concern, they may be unsightly and uncomfortable.
In this article, we’ll teach you how to get rid of one quickly using a few reliable techniques. Keep reading to learn how!
Ice It Immediately
If you want to get rid of a bruise quickly, you’ll want to apply ice immediately after the injury.
This reduces blood flow around the area, keeping more blood from leaking into the surrounding tissue. For you, that means less discoloration and swelling. And, potentially less discomfort, too.
If you don’t have a reusable ice pack, try a bag of ice or frozen vegetables wrapped in a towel or t-shirt. Ice your bruise in ten-minute intervals, with twenty-minute breaks in between.
Compress and Elevate
Wrap your bruise in an elastic bandage to offer compression and support.
This method will squeeze the tissues surrounding your bruise and help prevent your blood vessels from leaking. Compression therapy, especially when used after thorough icing, may lessen the severity of the bruise, reducing pain, swelling, and discoloration.
If possible, you should also elevate your bruise so that it is above heart level. This can help to alleviate pain, drain fluid from the area to minimize swelling, and reduce any pressure that you may feel building.
Apply Heat
Once you’ve iced, compressed, and elevated your bruise, it’s time to start the healing process.
Applying heat will help to boost circulation and increase blood flow around the injury. This will clear away the trapped blood that causes discoloration after a bruise has already formed.
Applying heat can also loosen tense and tight muscles to assist with pain relief. Try using a heating pad, hot water bottle, or relaxing soak in the bathtub.
Topical Treatments
Once your bruise is in the healing process, you can use topical treatments to give it a boost toward total recovery.
If you’re feeling pain, pressure, or discomfort, opt for a soothing arnica cream or CBD muscle rub to help loosen things up and get the blood flowing.
Aloe vera and vitamin C are also known to reduce swelling and inflammation, plus speed up the overall healing of many minor injuries. And, vitamin K can reduce clotting, helping to fade your bruise faster.
Test all topical products on a less visible patch of skin, like your inner wrist, before applying them to a bruise. This tip is especially important for anyone with sensitive skin!
How to Get Rid of a Bruise Fast
Now that you know how to get rid of a bruise, you’ll never have a pesky and painful discolored blotch lingering around again.
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