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Bruises: First Aid
By Matt Unangst, 30 Jan 13:46
Bruises can be made much more tolerable with a few simple steps.
There are some easy steps you can take to reduce the pain from and increase the healing of a bruise. You should follow the basic concept of “RICE” – rest, ice, compression, and elevation – when treating a bruise. Make sure that you keep the bruised area elevated above your heart. This helps to prevent the pooling of blood in the bruised area since bruises are caused by bleeding after the breaking of tiny blood vessels just under the skin. Try your best to avoid using the bruised area for several days after you suffer the injury.
To reduce swelling, apply an ice pack or ice wrapped in cloth to the bruised area for one to two days after the injury occurs. Consider taking acetaminophen (Tylenol) if the bruise is painful.
If you are suffering bruises and do not know their origins, see a doctor, particularly if these bruises are large and/or painful. A doctor should also be consulted if you are suffering from other bleeding problems, such as bleeding from unusual areas like your gums, or if you have blood in your urine or stool. If you suddenly start developing bruises after a bruise-free history, you should also see a doctor. All of these conditions may be a sign of something more serious than mere bruising. Such severe conditions include blood clotting and blood diseases.
Tags: bruise, first aid, rice, ice, compression, rest, elevation, bleeding, blood clot