How to Treat a Bruise

Treat a bruise to help it heal faster.

If you have injured yourself and have developed a bruise on your body, you can treat a bruise so it won't linger for days. If the bruise is extremely dark and accompanied by stiffness or extreme pain, visit your doctor, as you may have a broken bone or other serious injury as well as a bruise.

Things You'll Need

• Ice pack or bag of frozen peas
• Towel to wrap ice pack
• Epsom salts
• Arnica cream
• Heating pad or washcloth

Instructions

1. Get an ice pack or a bag of frozen peas. Wrap the ice pack with a towel so it won't be too cold on the bruised area. Elevate the bruised area above heart level. This helps the blood flow slow down and reduce swelling to the wounded area. Be sure to keep the bruised area elevated as much as possible during the first 24 hours.

2. Place the ice pack on the bruise for 20 minutes while you are seated. Treating the bruise with ice for the first 24 hours helps speed healing and reduce swelling.

3. Add 2 tablespoons of Epsom salt to two cups of cool water. Dip a cotton washcloth in the solution and apply it to the bruised area for about 10 minutes.

4. Apply arnica cream to the bruised area three times a day. Arnica is a plant that that has been used traditionally to reduce inflammation and treat bruises.

Tips & Warnings

• If bruising does not go away for a couple of weeks visit your doctor.

References

• MayoClinic.com: Bruise First Aid
• American Academy of Orhopaedic Surgeons: Muscle Contusion (Bruise)