How do You Get Rid of a Bruise?

The soap and water is to prevent any infection you might get from peeled skin or cuts that often accompany a bump or fall. The ice serves two purposes: first, the cold helps to reduce the amount of swelling, and second, it constricts the capillaries near the surface of your skin--restricting blood flow and thus reducing the amount of blood that is released from those broken capillaries. Elevate the wound to help reduce the chances of excessive bruising.

This is particularly true if you happened to get a bump on your leg or somewhere below your waist. Gravity and your cardiovascular system ensure that blood pressure increases below your waist line. Reduce some of that pressure and the bleeding by keeping the bruised area elevated.

If your bruise is painful, as many are, take some Acetaminophen to relieve that pain. I'm telling you to take Acetaminophen (Tylenol, Excedrin, etc.) instead of Aspirin because Aspirin actually inhibits your body's ability to clot the blood that's leaking from your capillaries. Medicine like Tylenol and Excedrin (anything with aceptaminophen) doesn't do that.

After about 48 hours, doctors say treating the bruise with a warm compress 3-4 times a day will help get rid of the bruise. By now your capillaries should be starting to heal and the blood flow should have stopped. A warm cloth spread over the wound will help open up the healthy capillaries to increase blood flow so that your body can get rid of the bruise with it's natural cleaning processes.

Repeat this process 15-20 minutes, 3-4 times per day for as long as the bruise is visible. If the bruise doesn't heal or lasts longer than 2-3 weeks, it may be time to see a doctor. A lot of people don't realize until later in life that they have a blood clotting deficiency, either because they've managed to avoid severe injury, or because age is taking it's toll on the body.

Elderly people are particularly susceptible to extended or excessive bruising and the complications that can come from it, so it's a good idea to keep a close eye on their bruises. The health industry is not at a loss for bruise treatment products, and many of them can be purchased online from any number of health care vendors. A lot of the products available use vitamins A and K to help reduce redness in the skin and promote the body's natural healing process.

Some offer supplements of a plant called Arnica, the extracts of which are used to produce anything from ointments, to liquids, and even pills--though it is most commonly found in gel form, which is then applied to the bruised area 3-4 times a day. There are also Brandname products like Lanosil, a product of the pharmaceutical company, Bayer, which is claimed to help prevent a bruise if it is applied soon enough. Regardless of the treatment you choose, it shouldn't come as a surprise that there is no miracle cure for bruises--but if you do try a bruise treatment, and it works well, drop us a line because we're curious to know which bruise treatment products really work.

Painful blisters have sprung up, and now even your socks feel irritating and each step is excruciating. Blisters are pockets of fluid in the skin that are commonly caused by friction, or rubbing of the skin for long periods of time. Hands and feet are most susceptible to blisters because they are the parts of the body most often used for repetitive motions, such as walking, running or operating machinery and tools.

Luckily, most blisters are not serious and can be treated easily at home. Before you contemplate whether your boss will accept “blisters” as a valid reason to take a sick day, read on to figure out how to get rid of those painful blobs. Do not touch the blister.

Although it may seem like a simple solution, it’s best not to pop the blister yourself. Popping a blister can lead to infection. Let the blister be exposed to air as much as possible, as this will help it heal faster.

Most blisters heal naturally within a few days. If you must pop the blister, do it safely. Most large blisters will pop rather quickly on their own.

Wash your hands with soap and warm water. Use a cotton ball to apply rubbing alcohol on the blister and on a clean needle. Gently poke your blister with the needle and apply light pressure to push out the fluid.

Thoroughly clean the blister and surrounding area with soap and water and pat the area dry with gauze or a clean towel. Apply antibiotic ointment to the blister. Apply a loose bandage around the blister, being careful to position it so that the bandage serves as a “tent” over the blister and does not actually touch it.

Avoid the cause of the blister. Those stilettos that caused the blister on your big toe? Put them in the closet until the blister heals.

The same goes for that video game controller that caused the blister on your thumb. It may seem obvious, but wearing the same item or doing the same activity that caused the blister in the first place will only impede the healing process. Relieve itching with a cold washcloth or by soaking the blistered area.

Do not scratch. As a blister heals, it can often become itchy and red. It’s natural to want to scratch an itch, but this will only make the itching, and your blister, worse.

To relieve the itching, apply a cold washcloth to the blistered area or soak it directly in cold water. Watch for signs of infection. In a few rare cases, blisters can cause serious infection.

Symptoms to look out for include fever, increasing pain, yellow or green pus, and red streaks coming from the blister. If these symptoms persist, have the blister checked out by a doctor. Wear clothes and shoes that fit properly.

Blisters are often caused by ill-fitting shoes or clothing. Select items that have a snug fit, but aren’t too tight. You should also look for breathable fabrics and items with few seams and flat stitching.