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First Aid & Emergencies

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First Aid & Emergencies

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Treatment for Bruises

Treating a Bruise at Home

1. Reduce Bruising and Swelling

Ice the area on and off for the first 24-48 hours.
Apply ice for about 15 minutes at a time, and always put something like a towel or wash cloth between the ice and your skin.
Rest the affected area.
If possible, elevate the affected area.

2. Treat Symptoms

Recommended Related to First Aid

Treating Cuts and Bleeding in Children

Your child is bleeding heavily. The wound is deep. The edges of the wound are gaping. The wound is spurting blood. You can't stop the bleeding after 10 minutes of direct pressure. An object has punctured the skin and is still in the body. The cut involves the eye or the cartilage of the nose or ear.

Read the Treating Cuts and Bleeding in Children article > >

For pain, take acetaminophen (Tylenol). Avoid aspirin or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), which can prolong bleeding.

3. When to Call a Doctor

If bruise is accompanied by extreme pain and swelling, especially if the person is taking a blood-thinning medication
If bruises appear on skin for no apparent reason
The bruise in on the face or head
You can’t move a joint
You may have a broken bone

4. Follow Up

Two days after a bruise develops, apply a heat pack or wash cloth soaked in warm water to the area several times a day to promote healing.
Pain and tenderness should get better within a few days and the bruise should go away within a couple of weeks.

WebMD Medical Reference

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