How to get rid of old bruises

Bruises aren’t usually serious, and they often clear up without treatment. If you have a bruise that doesn’t go away after 2 weeks, you bruise for no apparent reason, or you have additional symptoms, see your doctor for diagnosis. The sooner you get treatment, the sooner you’ll start feeling better.

Repeated bruising of an area can leave permanent yellowish-brown staining from iron depositing in the skin. Bruises usually last about one to two weeks, though some may take a little longer to heal.

If a bruise is left untreated, blood may continue to enter an injured area. This can cause devastating complications for athletes. Physicians can more easily help you prevent myositis if you seek treatment before bone tissue starts to form.

Bruises are the result of some type of trauma or injury to the skin that causes blood vessels to burst. Bruises usually go away on their own, but you can take steps to lessen the pain and reduce the visibility.

Bruising takes on many colors as the body works to heal an injury. It is normal for a bruise to change color over time. A person can expect about four phases of colors to a bruise before it fades away. If a bruise does not fade, becomes worse, or other issues accompany it, a person should consult a doctor.

Many Colors

As you heal, an iron-rich substance in your blood — called hemoglobin — breaks down into other compounds. This process makes your bruise change colors: It’s usually red right after the injury. Within a day or two, it turns purplish or black and blue.

Don’t massage or rub the injury because you can break more blood vessels in the process. Instead, give yourself time for the pain and swelling to subside and apply ice immediately and as needed.

When to Seek Medical Care

Call the doctor if bruising occurs easily or for no apparent reason. Call the doctor if the bruise is painful and under a toenail or fingernail. Call the doctor if a bruise does not improve within two weeks or fails to completely clear after three or four weeks.

Low on Vitamin C

This essential vitamin helps make collagen, an important protein that keeps your blood vessels healthy. If you don’t get enough vitamin C in your diet, you may notice that you bruise easily.

Your pain should begin to subside about 3 days after you were bruised. In the meantime, if the bruise really hurts or is swollen, you can take over-the-counter drugs to relieve your pain.

People tend to bruise more easily as they age because blood vessels become weaker and the skin thins. Easy bruising may also run in families, so people whose relatives bruise easily may notice that they do as well.

Vitamin C supplements have been shown to reduce bruising in people with low vitamin C intake. Doctors often suggest that people who experience easy bruising supplement with 100 mg to 3 grams of vitamin C per day for several months.

You may begin to bruise easily if you aren’t getting enough iron. That’s because your body needs iron to keep your blood cells healthy. If your blood cells aren’t healthy, your body won’t be able to get the oxygen that it needs to function. This may make your skin more susceptible to bruising.

To avoid bruises, break down on clutter at home and always wear protective gear when you exercise or play sports. Once you’ve got a bruise, you can help it heal faster. Raise the area where you’re injured and put ice on it. That will make you feel better and keep the bruise from getting bigger.

But dermatologists say peppermint oil could irritate the skin, and toothpaste may have even more potentially skin-irritating ingredients. If you really want to put something soothing on the bruised skin, you may be better off trying aloe vera, though it won’t get rid of a bruise.

Can supplements cause easy bruising too? Taking dietary supplements like fish oil, garlic, ginkgo and vitamin E may also lead to easy bruising. These substances block platelets from forming clots, which would normally stop bleeding. It’s a good reminder to run supplements by your doc before you start taking any.

Heals minor skin scrapes and bruises – Petroleum jelly keeps the area moist, preventing the wound from drying out and forming an ugly scab. It can also keep the scrape or bruise from getting worse. Remember to clean the area first before applying the jelly.