Health Discussions

Sorry, I know how you feel!  Unfortunately I don't know of any remedies to get rif of an existing bruise except makeup.  But I can make a suggestion to reduce them from onset; try taking one of those plastic bag freeze packs to the gym and applying to the area right away.  This will probably not stop the bruise, but it will shorten the length of time you have it and also reduce the discoloration.

I was going to mention the ice pack trick, but mysticstarfish got that one. You have to notice you're bruising for that to work though.

Be sure to mention the easy bruising to your doc too girl. Some of us just bruise easily, but sometimes it can be something med related.

You'll look beautiful at the wedding anyway.

Have you ever tried arnica? My friend, the mother of two skateboarding boys who often come home covered in bruises, swears by it.

Thanks for the advice, everyone. I never even heard of Arnica so I will go look that up now. Cyndi, I need to tell my doctor because I have bruises in places that I can't remember ever bumped and they are so bad! Not little yellow guys but full on black and purple.

I would do ice but I never know until I see them and then I wonder why the heck I have bruises. I AM a klutz and I do shrug off pain so it isn't like I would remember if I hurt myself unless it was really bad but still, I'm like an overripe peach or something these days!

Bruising happens when you bleed under the skin.  That's all it is.  There is no magic formula to make it go away.  All you can do is treat any swelling.  The bruising won't go away until the blood is absorbed back into the body.  Sorry!!!

MikeMaroon said…
Bruising happens when you bleed under the skin.  That's all it is.  There is no magic formula to make it go away.  All you can do is treat any swelling.  The bruising won't go away until the blood is absorbed back into the body.  Sorry!!!

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That's true enough and there's not much you can do to speed up the time it takes for a bruise to disappear. However, there are steps you can take to make yourself less susceptible to bruising. Taking aspirin and similar drugs (ibuprofen, naproxin, etc.) can make you a little more likely to bruise and get nosebleeds. The same is true for vitamin E, fish oil and a few other supplements. My wife was getting frequent nosebleeds that went away when she cut out the aspirin (Excedrin), fish oil and vitamin E.

--Bob

bkovacs said…

MikeMaroon said…
Bruising happens when you bleed under the skin.  That's all it is.  There is no magic formula to make it go away.  All you can do is treat any swelling.  The bruising won't go away until the blood is absorbed back into the body.  Sorry!!!

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That's true enough and there's not much you can do to speed up the time it takes for a bruise to disappear. However, there are steps you can take to make yourself less susceptible to bruising. Taking aspirin and similar drugs (ibuprofen, naproxin, etc.) can make you a little more likely to bruise and get nosebleeds. The same is true for vitamin E, fish oil and a few other supplements. My wife was getting frequent nosebleeds that went away when she cut out the aspirin (Excedrin), fish oil and vitamin E.

--Bob

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Yeah, what he said.  Asprin is a blood thinner, so not only will you bleed more easily, but the blood won't clot as fast.  That's why some folks are told by their doctors to take aspirin, decreases risk heart attack and stroke for some.  Didn't know about the fish oil and Vit E.   Nice to know!

Wow. Well, I bought Arnica anyway to try. I take fish oil - 1000mg twice a day. I don't take aspirin because it's not good for the hearing. I used to take a baby aspirin a day which is safe for the ears but haven't lately at all. I don't overdo the Vit. E because it can be bad for you over 400mg so I take just what's in my normal multi vitamin. Maybe it's the fish oil! Interesting. I won't stop taking it because it's good for the heart but I will talk to my doctor when I go about this. Thanks for all the info.

I was just going to say that and in fact it's on my list of things to review. Jo

I bruise very easily also.  My doctor said there is nothing you can do but let it run the course.  I know that isn't what you wanted to hear but...that's all I have to offer.  Better get some concealer out for the wedding :)

Karen

Well, the bruise is now a sunny yellow but my spazzy cat jumped out of my arms and ended up inadvertently scratching both of my legs. LONG scratches that look horrible. I'm buying a long dress for the wedding. I give up! Thanks for the advice. I'm just not made to show off my legs, I guess! And they would be my best asset if they weren't ripped part, bruised, and nicked from bad shavers. lol.

If you go to www bruiseremover com , you will find that the answer is, yes, there is a way to remove bruises fast, and if they are fresh bruises, then you can watch them disappear as you apply this liniment.  It is based in a centuries-old Chinese formula that was used in the famous Shaolin Temple by Kung Fu masters during their arduous training sessions.  Grandmaster Brian Gray personally makes it, and he is a world-renowned Iron Palm authority.  You can check out his credentials at www.briangray.com.

When you first bump or injure yourself, apply ice to the area.  This constricts the tissues and blood vessels so the bruise won't develop.

 Once you have a bruise going, apply heat to the area.  This expands the tissues allowing the blood to be absorbed back to the blood vessels more quickly.

 

KungFuMaster said…
If you go to www bruiseremover com , you will find that the answer is, yes, there is a way to remove bruises fast, and if they are fresh bruises, then you can watch them disappear as you apply this liniment.  It is based in a centuries-old Chinese formula that was used in the famous Shaolin Temple by Kung Fu masters during their arduous training sessions.  Grandmaster Brian Gray personally makes it, and he is a world-renowned Iron Palm authority.  You can check out his credentials at www.briangray.com.

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Thank you. I will check the site out!

Maybe they can jelp me get my face back to the way it was too. LOL LOL. Just kidding. Halloween fun and all.

But seriously, I will go take a look and see about the product. I am still bruising but, for some reason, not as much lately.

as others have said, there is no way to make your tissues absorb the blood faster.  I've heard in the past that those deficient in certain vitamins/minerals may be more likely to bruise but I don't remember which ones they might be.

If you have a Vitamin K deficiency you will bruise easy.  Vitamin K strengthens the little blood vessel [capillary] walls so that you don't bruise as bad.  For prevention- Take up to 1000mg of the vitamin spread out through the day or eat plenty of dark green vegetables like brussel sprouts, broccoli, spinach and kale as they are high in Vitamin K.  They are also high in Vitamin C which helps the body heal.  I have heard that Vitamin C deficiency can make one bruise easily but I'm not sure if it is the deficiency that causes it or the deficiency that keeps it from healing faster.

For existing bruises- The body has to do its thing for the bruise to fade but my grandmother used to make a chopped up fresh parsley concoction that she would put on a bruise and then wrap the area with strips of white bandage.  Arnica is another herb that can be used but most people don't have that handy.  There are some natural ointments made with arnica you could try.  Colonists used tobacco leaves... These are supposed to reduce inflammation.

For future bruises- Bruises are caused when a blood vessel breaks and the blood pools.  If you can get ice on the area right away it will help reduce the blood flow.  Ice it off and on for the first 24 hours.  After that you may want to apply a bit of heat to get the blood circulating again and get it moving the pooled blood out of the way.

Mention it to your doctor.  There are medical reasons that could make you bruise easily but we won't go there... 

Let me know if you try the Chinese remedy... always willing to learn something new!

It seems the women in my family on my mom's side all bruise so easily. I tell you, I bumped my leg on a basket the other day and I have a ugly bruise now. My dogs are always jumping on me and it always leaves a bruise. I had some blood taken at the doctors, and it left the worst bruise I have ever had. It took three weeks for the bruise to go away. I have learned a lot from your comments. Thank you!    

When I played football in high school, they would tell you to get a lot of vitamin C to prevent bruising.

My boys were told that playing soccer as well.  I have studied herbs and alternative medicine for years now and have learned that many of the old remedies can actually be damaging if overdone.

The University of Florida did a study a few years back that indicates too much Vitamin C while you have inflammation or bruising may actually be damaging to your body.  There seems to be some kind of correlation between the vitamin C and what the body produces naturally with the bruising.  I don't remember the details so take it for what it is worth.  My suggestion is to be moderate in anything you may try.  ;-)

Ok, what about long term bruising?  I bruise easily on my legs, always have.  Not only that, but my legs are super sensitive to any pressure whatsoever.  I can never get a massage.  If my 2 1/2 year old daughter grabs on to my leg, I can't handle pain.  Anyway, getting back to my bruises . . . I've had one on my shin that's been there for at least 2 years (lost track).  It has gotten a little smaller in size, but it's still yellowish brown and noticeable (about the size of the bottom of a soda can).  Just yesterday my crazy dog who plays rough, crashed into me while running and now there's a huge bruise in the shape of her paw print on the back of my calf.  It's very black and purple right now and I'm afraid that it will be there for a long time too.  I wish my bruises faded away in just a matter of weeks, but I'm not so lucky. 

<p style="text-align: center;">hey i am at school right now my friend Samantha has been beating me up and i have a huge HUGE bruise on my arm, i am hoping it will go away, love you girl <3 kisskisss :)

where did you buy the arnica? i cant find it

This is something I have been wanting to know as well. For the most part of this year I have began bruising to the point that people are looking at me with sympathy! Like someone is abusing me! I can bump my leg at work and I swear the bruise will be the size of a silver dollar and dark and ugly by the time I notice it. I have one on my thigh that has taken up residency! Could this be a lack of some type of vitamin or something? I go for an annual checkup next month, I am going to ask my physician. I cover them up with concealer and makeup if I have to.

Well, I just have to say that I hope you get tested and everything is ok. I think bruising easier is an inevitable fact of life, as we age, and the alternative to getting old isn't a real good choice either! But on another note, I had to comment on what an interesting and beautiful woman you are! Wrestling! I love the photo of you with the Big Show! He is truly an incredible physical speciman! AS for the SAD, I wouldn't know as I am in Miami! Why do you put up with that seasonal Crap? Move to a better climate!

Good Luck,

Dave

I've been recovering from some major bruising. I increased the Vit C & have been taking arnica. Both have been working beautifully. The arnica speeds up the natural healing process. It takes me much longer without it/ I also have been using the arnica gel. Very soothing.

I can relate to many of these comments...I am 51 years old and have never had bruising on my arms like I have had in the past 4 months.  I just barely bump into something and it creates an UGLY black/blue circular bruise...But it is only on my ARMS! I have now gone to taken a needle as soon as it starts to "what I think" will let out the blood" as soon as it happens.  Not sure if this is a good idea....but when it happens, I can't stand it! When I do it, it only takes a tiny amount out....But...the ugly bruises stay for at least 5 weeks!  I can get a minor bruise on my legs, and they go away like a normal bruise would..But it is my arms that are so ugly!  I have developed very thin skin (from my mother's side) so my doctor tells me....And I get no help from him...I was wondering...If I applied wet, very warm heat...would it speed up the time for them to go away???

bruises are just when tiny blood vessels under the skin leak and cause the discoloration. You may want to talk to your doctor for some testing as bruising can be a symptom of an underlying condition.

I have know ice cubes will decrease the size of the bruise and make it disappear slowly disappear. rub a ice cube over the bruise apply it either with or without a cloth.

dddoll said…

bruises are just when tiny blood vessels under the skin leak and cause the discoloration. You may want to talk to your doctor for some testing as bruising can be a symptom of an underlying condition.

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I talked to my doctor and there's nothing really that is causing me to bruise except I am a clumsy, I guess. I did stop taking two fish oil capsules a day and now take one and the bruising is MUCH better. Bob told me that Omega3 is a blood thinner and I asked my doctor and sure enough, it is. When I cut down on the fish oil, the bruising got better.

I still bruise easier than others but not like I was. it was getting scary for a while. I was seeing huge, multicolored bruises in places I didn't remember hurting. Now and then I will see one like that but it's more like slight bruises now that go away pretty fast. *whew*

I agree that everyone should talk to their doctors is bruising gets worse or starts for seemingly no reason.