As bruises heal, the body breaks down spilled blood cells and their hemoglobin. The iron in hemoglobin is scavenged and reused, usually to form new red blood cells.
The rest of the hemoglobin is decomposed into a green pigment called biliverdin, then converted to bilirubin, which is yellow or light brown. These compounds produce the greens, yellows, and browns you see at the end of the healing phase of a bruise — usually days to weeks after the initial trauma. Eventually everything is reabsorbed or excreted by the body, and the bruise disappears. This process occurs at a predictable rate, which allows physicians and forensics specialists to estimate the age of a bruise based on its color.
Apply ice immediately after the injury. Apply heat to bruises that have already formed to clear up the trapped blood. Compression, elevation, and a bruise-healing diet can also help speed up the healing process.
Bruises can be challenging to treat because the damage is beneath your skin. The most effective way to heal a bruise is to take care of your body and give it time. However, there are things you can do at home to speed up the healing process , minimize the appearance of bruises, and even diminish the severity of your injury at the onset. An ice pack, bag of ice, or anything frozen placed on an injury when it occurs helps reduce the amount of blood that leaks from the blood vessels into the surrounding tissues.
Putting ice on a fresh bruise can prevent severe discoloration. You can also apply ice to already formed bruises in minute on, minute off increments to help speed up the healing process.
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. As a result, a hematoma stays the same color, firmness, and causes the same level of pain even after several days.
People may want to try to speed healing or lessen any pain associated with bruising. There are some potential at-home methods they can try, as described here:. One of the first steps to helping a bruise heal is to apply ice to the area. People can ice the area with anything frozen, such as a freezer pack or a bag of frozen vegetables.
Wrap the cold object in a towel or cloth and apply to the affected area. Do not apply a cold pack directly to the skin, as this can cause further injury. When a person applies ice to a new bruise, it helps to slow bleeding down and lessen the swelling. This can reduce the overall size of the bruise, as it prevents blood from leaking further and reduces inflammation. Many people use arnica, quercetin, vitamin B-3, or vitamin K creams to help speed up bruise healing times. People can also use over-the-counter pain medicine, such as acetaminophen Tylenol and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs to reduce pain and inflammation around the bruise.
Avoid aspirin , as it can increase bleeding. Avoiding NSAIDs may also be necessary when bruising occurs after surgery or with extensive bruises, as these drugs risk worsening the bleeding. The use of a soft elastic wrap, during waking hours, for the first 1—2 days can help decrease bruising and discomfort after an injury. The wrap should be firm but not tight. Numbness, tingling or increased discomfort means the wrap should be loosened or removed.
Elevating the bruised area has a similar effect to icing the bruise. It helps prevent the bruise from getting bigger. Yellow or green Between days after the initial trauma your bruise will begin to turn a yellow or green shade.
These colors are the result of the compounds biliverdin and bilirubin, which are produced when the body needs to break down hemoglobin blood. Yellowish-brown or light brown This is the final stage of bruising and typically occurs between days after the initial trauma.
What is the difference between a bruise, contusion and hematoma Bruises are also called contusions. If you experience any of the following symptoms after a head, face or abdomen trauma, visit State Urgent Care as soon as possible to avoid further complications: Head Intracranial hematomas may cause headaches, vomiting, nausea, slurred speech and confusion. Face Septal hematomas make the nose and area under the eyes swell and bruise.
You may also experience nosebleeds or clear fluid draining from the nose. Abdomen Abdominal hematomas may not initially cause any symptoms but can lead to swelling, tenderness and pain. When to get a bruise checked out Bruises are typically surface injuries that heal on their own without medical attention, and people can treat them safely at home. See your doctor or visit State Urgent Care right away if you notice any of the following symptoms: Abnormal bleeding in the gums, frequent nose bleeds or blood in the urine or stool Frequent very large, very painful bruises Numbness or weakness anywhere in the injured limb Swelling around the bruised skin Loss of function in the affected area joint, limb or muscle Increased size or density Lump under the bruise Pain that lasts longer than days Persistent bruising for more than 2 weeks Potential broken bone Trauma in the head or neck Vision impairment Unexplained or random bruising, especially in the abdomen, head, or trunk, as this may signal a problem with an internal organ Conditions that increase your risk of bruising People taking prescription blood thinners should also talk to their doctor if they suffer a fall or significant injury, as they have a higher risk of bruising and complications from bruising.
Here are additional conditions that increase your risk of significant bruising and complications: Aged 50 years or older Bleeding disorders e. How to help a bruise heal faster at home Mild to moderate bruises typically heal after 2 weeks, though some may heal more quickly.
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