What Causes Bruising?
Bruises can occur due to a variety of reasons. The most common cause of bruising is trauma to the skin or underlying tissues. Whether it is a bump, blow, or fall, any injury that causes blood vessels to rupture can lead to a bruise.
It is not just external trauma that can cause bruising. Certain medical conditions, such as hemophilia, can cause a person to bruise easily. Similarly, older adults are prone to bruising as their skin loses elasticity, and their blood vessels become more fragile.
Medications can also cause bruising, especially those that thin the blood. Blood-thinning medications, such as aspirin, Warfarin, and Coumadin, can make blood less likely to clot, which increases the risk of bruising.
If bruising occurs for no apparent reason, it is crucial to consult a doctor, as it may be indicative of an underlying health issue.
Immediate Care for Bruises
When you accidentally bump your leg or arm against a hard surface, it’s not unusual to end up with a nasty-looking bruise. Although bruises typically heal on their own within 1 to 2 weeks, it may be necessary to cover them up if they’re in a visible area or if you find them unsightly.
The immediate care of a bruise is essential to minimize its appearance and prevent further swelling. Luckily, you don’t need a medical professional to treat a bruise, as it can be done at home in a few simple steps. Here are some tips to help you get started:
Apply a Cold Compress or Ice Pack
One of the easiest ways to take care of a bruise is by applying a cold compress or ice pack. Doing so will reduce swelling and prevent the bruise from getting bigger. You can wrap some ice cubes in a cloth or use a bag of frozen vegetables, placing it on the bruise for 15-20 minutes at a time. Repeat several times the day you got the bruise and the next 24 hours.
Use Compression Bandages or Elastic Wraps
You can also use compression bandages or elastic wraps to assist in the healing process. These wraps help to reduce swelling and provide support to the affected area. You will need to wrap the area around the bruise tightly but not too tight that its causing pain. Limit its use to the first 24 hours after getting the bruise.
Elevate the Affected Area
Elevating the affected area of the bruise is another way to help reduce swelling and shorten the time it takes for the bruise to heal. You can prop your leg or foot on some pillows while sitting down, or place your arm or hand on some cushions while lying down to help drain the excess fluid and blood away from the bruise.
Take Pain Medication
If you’re experiencing pain associated with the bruise, taking pain medication such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen could be helpful. Follow the instructions on the medication label carefully, and don’t exceed the recommended dose. Pain management can help you to feel more comfortable and make it easier to deal with some of the symptoms of the bruise.
If your bruises are accompanied by unusual pain, swelling, or redness, or do not heal or reduce in size after 2 weeks or so, you need to consult a healthcare provider.
Knowing how to care for a bruise can help you to heal faster and prevent further damage to the affected area. In addition to applying a cold compress or ice pack, using compression bandages, elevating the affected area, and taking pain medication, you can take other steps to help the healing process, like using essential oils that can help to soothe the skin and help with healing. With the right care, you can get rid of your bruises in no time!
Long-Term Care for Bruises
Bruises can take weeks to fully heal and often leave behind visible marks that can be embarrassing or uncomfortable. It’s important to take care of your bruises so that they heal properly and fade more quickly.
First and foremost, during the first 48 hours after getting a bruise, apply a cold compress or ice pack to the area to reduce swelling and inflammation. After this initial period, you can switch to warm compresses to increase blood flow to the area and promote healing.
Additionally, consider using topical creams or ointments that contain ingredients such as arnica, vitamin K, or horse chestnut extract. These ingredients have been shown to reduce inflammation and promote hydration, which can help the bruise heal more quickly.
Another tip for long-term care of bruises is to avoid putting pressure or strain on the affected area. For example, if you have a bruise on your leg, try to avoid activities that involve a lot of running or jumping. This will prevent further damage to the area and allow it to heal more quickly.
Lastly, if you bruise easily or frequently, talk to your doctor about possible underlying health issues that may be contributing to this problem. Certain medications or health conditions can make you more prone to bruising, so it’s important to address these issues in order to minimize your risk.
Covering Bruises with Makeup
Bruises can appear for numerous reasons, and while time heals all wounds, it doesn’t mean you can’t cover them up in the meantime. Whether you want to conceal a bruise for aesthetic reasons or to avoid answering questions about how you got it, makeup can be a powerful tool. Here are some tips on how to cover bruises with makeup:
Step 1: Color Correcting
The first step is to neutralize the color of the bruise with a color-correcting product. The general rule of thumb is to use a color that is opposite the color of the bruise on the color wheel. For example, if your bruise appears blue or purple, use a yellow-based color corrector. If the bruise appears more yellow, use a purple-based color corrector. Dab the color corrector onto the bruise and blend the edges outward to soften the color.
Step 2: Full-Coverage Concealer
Once you’ve color corrected, it’s time to apply a full-coverage concealer that matches your skin tone. Use a small brush or your finger to pat the concealer onto the bruise, starting from the center and blending outward. Be sure to feather the edges so that they blend seamlessly into the surrounding skin. If your bruise has a raised surface, use a stippling motion to create texture.
Step 3: Set with Powder
To ensure your makeup stays in place all day, set your concealer with a powder. Use a powder that matches your skin tone or a translucent powder to avoid altering the color. Gently dust the powder onto the bruise with a fluffy brush, then buff away any excess powder with a clean brush.
Step 4: Additional Tips
If your bruise is located on your face, you may want to consider using a primer before applying makeup to help the products adhere better. Additionally, if your bruise is still healing, be gentle when applying makeup to avoid causing further injury. If you’re unsure about an area, it’s best to wait until the bruise has fully healed before applying makeup.
With these simple steps, you can confidently cover up a bruise with makeup and feel more comfortable in your own skin. Remember, makeup is a tool to highlight your best features and to help you feel confident, so don’t be afraid to experiment and find what works best for you.
Other Tips for Covering Bruises
If the bruise is on an area of the body that can’t be covered up with makeup, consider using clothing or accessories to conceal it. Scarves, jackets, and long sleeves are all good options for hiding bruises on the neck, arms, and legs. Be mindful of the temperature and don’t bundle up too much as this could aggravate the injury further. You can also use sunglasses to cover bruises around the eye area.
When trying to cover up a bruise, it is important to be gentle with the affected area. Avoid touching or massaging the bruise as this could make it worse. You should also avoid any activity that could cause further injury or aggravate the bruise. This includes heavy lifting, high-impact exercise, or anything that puts pressure on the affected area.
Applying heat to a bruise can help to increase blood flow, which can speed up the healing process. You can use a warm compress or take a warm bath to help alleviate pain and reduce the appearance of the bruise. Heat should be applied for 20 minutes at a time, several times a day.
If you have a bruise that is causing you pain or is taking longer than usual to heal, consult a healthcare professional. They may be able to recommend treatments or therapies that can help to speed up the healing process. They can also provide advice on how to manage the pain and discomfort associated with the bruise.
Lastly, remember that bruises are a normal part of the healing process and will disappear on their own over time. Be patient and don’t try to rush the healing process. Instead, take care of yourself by getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, and avoiding activities that could cause further injury.
