Bruise how long do they last

Also, blood vessels tend to become fragile as people get older, which is why elderly people tend to bruise more easily.

Apply a cold compress to the bruise to help slow down the blood that's flowing to the area, which decreases the amount of blood that ends up leaking into the tissues. It also helps keep the inflammation and swelling down.

All you have to do is apply cold to the bruise for 15 to 20 minutes every hour for a day or two after the bruise appears. You don't need to buy a special cold pack, although they're great to keep on hand in the freezer.

Just get some ice, put it in a plastic bag, and wrap the bag in a cloth or a towel and place it on the bruise don't apply the ice directly to the skin. Another trick is to use a bag of frozen vegetables. It doesn't matter what kind — carrots, peas, lima beans, whatever — as long as they're frozen. A bag of frozen vegetables is easy to apply to the bruise because it can form to the shape of the injured area.

Also, like a cold pack, it can be used and refrozen again and again just pick your least-favorite vegetables and label the bag — you don't want to keep thawing and freezing veggies that you plan to eat!

To reduce swelling and bruising, elevate the bruised area above the level of your heart. In other words, if the bruise is on your shin, lie down on a couch or bed and prop up your leg. This will help prevent blood from pooling in the area because more of the blood will flow back toward your heart. If you keep standing, more blood will flow to your bruised shin and the bruise will be larger. Bruises are kind of hard to avoid completely. Those vessels break open and leak blood under the skin.

Bruises are often painful and swollen. You can get skin, muscle and bone bruises. Bone bruises are the most serious. It can take months for a bruise to fade, but most last about two weeks. They start off a reddish color, and then turn bluish-purple and greenish-yellow before returning to normal.

To reduce bruising, ice the injured area and elevate it above your heart. See your health care provider if you seem to bruise for no reason, or if the bruise appears to be infected. This is particularly true when it comes to bruises. If you bang your knee in the middle of a workout, get off your feet and rest. This will slow down blood flow to your bruise, making it less prevalent than it would be if you continue your workout.

Instead, give yourself time for the pain and swelling to subside and apply ice immediately and as needed. Once the bruise has already formed, you can apply heat to help clear up the trapped blood under your skin. Applying heat will also boost circulation and increase blood flow. Use a heating pad, a hot water bottle, or soak in a warm bath. This will also help loosen tight muscles and relieve any pain associated with your injury. Elevate the bruised injury above the level of your heart.

Thanks to gravity, this helps relieve pain and drain fluid away from the bruise. Elevation reduces pressure and compression. It also increases blood flow back to your heart and away from your injury. If possible, wrap the bruised area with an elastic bandage. This will squeeze the tissues around your injury, preventing the blood vessels from leaking any more.

When your injury occurs, adding compression can lessen the severity of your bruise, reduce pain, and alleviate inflammation. The same is true when it comes to healing injuries and bruises. While bruises are common and not usually a cause for concern, there are some cases where you should see a doctor or visit an urgent care nearby. You should also go to the nearest emergency room or urgent care facility if you think you have a broken bone along with your bruising.

Our compassionate and qualified medical team is available seven days a week, from 10 AM to 8 PM. Give us a call at , book an appointment online, or simply stop in for immediate care for patients of all ages. Images may contain models. Individual results are not guaranteed and may vary. How to Get Rid of Bruises Dr. What Is a Bruise? What Causes a Bruise?