What Are Some Home Remedies for Bruises?

A bruise occurs when small blood vessels under the skin bleed. Because the skin isn’t broken, blood leaks into the area around the vessels. This pooling changes the color of the skin above the injury. At first, the skin looks red or purple. Then it turns black and blue and later changes to yellow or green before it heals completely.

Each stage of a bruise can last a few days. How long depends on several factors, including the severity of the injury, the person’s age and their health. The location of the bruise also plays a role.

A flat, purple-colored bruise, such as a black eye, is called an ecchymosis. A swollen, painful, raised lump is called a hematoma.

Hematomas form when clotted blood develops as a lump under your skin. An example of a hematoma is the proverbial goose egg on the head.

Here are seven home remedies for bruises:

At the first sign of a bruise, put a bag of frozen veggies or an ice pack wrapped in a towel on the injured area. Leave it there for 15 to 20 minutes, remove it for about 30 minutes and then put it back on. Try to do this for a day or two, several times per day.

Ice helps by narrowing blood vessels under the skin. This helps stop blood from leaking into nearby tissues after an injury. It is a key part of rest, ice, compression and elevate (RICE) therapy.

Rest the injured limb and raise it above your heart. For example, if you bumped your calf, prop up your leg to keep blood from pooling. This will help reduce swelling and keep the bruise from spreading. 

Rest is key. Avoid strenuous activities to allow the bruise to heal. This approach prevents further injury and speeds up recovery.

Switching from cold to warm treatments can help healing. After the first two or three days, apply a heating pad or warm compress on the bruise. You can also use topical heat creams, like menthol-based creams, after using cold packs.

Heat helps boost circulation and increase blood flow. It helps clear away the trapped blood after the bruise has formed. Be careful not to overheat the area to avoid pain or burns.

Nutrition plays a vital role in healing bruises. Certain foods and supplements may boost recovery.

• Vitamins K, C and B12 support blood health and can help reduce bruising. If you don’t get enough of these vitamins, you may bruise more often.

• Citrus fruits, such as oranges and strawberries, are high in vitamin C, which helps your body make collagen and plays a key role in the body’s immune system’s healing process.

• Green leafy vegetables, such as spinach, are a good source of vitamin K. This vitamin helps with blood clotting.

• Fortified cereals, eggs, milk, fish, meat and poultry are good sources for vitamin B12. This vitamin helps make red blood cells and supports nerve function.

To heal bruises, several medications can help you feel better. These include acetaminophen (Tylenol), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Advil, Motrin) and menthol creams.

Aloe vera gel can help reduce pain and swelling in bruises. It has soothing and anti-inflammatory properties. Other natural remedies include arnica and witch hazel.

Protecting the bruised area is crucial. Wear appropriate clothing and gear to avoid knocking or bumping the injury and reducing the risk of further bruising.

While bruises are common and usually not serious, be aware of warning signs. Contact your primary care doctor if you notice a lot of bruises in unusual places, or if the pain is severe. In rare cases, excessive or unexplained bruises could be a sign of an underlying issue. 

Most of the time, you can treat bruises with simple home remedies. “There is no magic trick for preventing or healing bruises,” says Dr. Robbins. “Most will heal within two weeks, and you’ll forget you even had an injury.”