It was difficult to catch your kid’s outstanding baseball throw, and now it’s impossible to miss your black eye. Is it possible to get rid of a bruise like this quickly so that I can avoid everyone’s questions and stares?
I’d really like to know the answer to that. According to dermatologist Alok Vij, MD, the only solution is for you to exercise patience. However, there are a few things that may hasten the process of the bruise disappearing.
Black Eye Basics: When to See a Doctor?
Broken blood vessels in the area surrounding the eye may lead to the appearance of black eyes. The blood and fluid from the vessels seep into the region beneath the skin, leaving behind a bruise and swelling as a clear sign of the injury.
Eyes that are blackened are sometimes the result of a physical injury. However, they are prevalent following treatments involving the face, such as some dental or aesthetic procedures.
The first thing you should do if you develop a shiner is determined whether or not there is more significant damage going on behind the surface. Dr. Vij recommends seeking medical attention if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- The vision is blurry or doubled.
- bleeding that occurs in the white part of the eye or the colored part.
- Experiencing bleeding from the ears or nose.
- bruises around the perimeter of both eyes.
- a state of having lost consciousness.
A remedy for black eyes
According to Dr. Vij, you should treat a black eye in the same way that you would treat a sprained ankle or any other injury that involves soft tissue. This includes keeping in mind the helpful acronym “RICE,” which stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation.
Take Proper Rest
“Anything you do that gets your heart rate up raises the chance of swelling and bruising,” he adds. “Anything you do that puts your blood pressure up also increases the risk of swelling and bruising.” Take it easy for the first day or two following the accident so that it may heal properly.
Ice Eyes for a Few Hours
Ice your eye every few hours for the first two days to help reduce swelling and prevent blood and fluid from accumulating. “Apply a cold compress, first for twenty minutes, then for twenty minutes,” he advises. (The break from the cold for twenty minutes is essential because prolonged exposure to cold may cause harm to the skin.)
Compression
Take the approach that involves being chilly for the first two days. Following that, the use of warm compresses might assist in opening blood vessels. This helps fluid drain, resulting in a reduction in puffiness.
Elevation
Be sure to keep a level mind (at least for the first day or two). “Sitting in a chair or using some additional pillows while you sleep helps gravity work to minimize edoema,” adds Dr. Vij. “When you sit in a recliner or use extra cushions.”
What To Anticipate While the Black Eye On Your Face Heals?
It is normal for swelling to reach its peak two days following an accident, so you shouldn’t be startled if you wake up the next day looking worse than you did the day before. Following this, it may take up to two weeks for the bruising and swelling to completely go.
Your eye will most likely give the appearance of a rainbow as it heals, beginning with shades of purple and blue, then moving on to green and yellow, and then disappearing altogether.
After the first few days, if you observe any signs that things are getting worse instead of better, you should make an appointment with your primary care physician. Signs that an infection or another condition may be present include the following:
- a swelling that becomes worse after the first two days have passed.
- a greater degree of hurting or tenderness.
- Skin that feels extremely warm when touched.
- A predominance of red, as opposed to the more typical palette of purple, blue, green, and yellow.
There Are Three Different Techniques to Lessen The Appearance Of A Black Eye
There is no sleight of hand that can make a black eye disappear like magic. However, some therapies could be able to help it go away.
1. Arnica
There is some evidence to suggest that this herb, which can be purchased over the counter, may assist in the healing process of bruises. According to Dr. Vij, the medical community isn’t quite clear on how it operates.
However, several studies have shown that patients who took oral arnica before undergoing cosmetic procedures such as nose jobs saw much less bruising after the procedures.
To expedite the healing process, some individuals find that using a topical arnica gel on the skin after it has been bruised is beneficial. Just make sure that you don’t get any of it in your eyes.
“A lot of the gel recipes contain extra components that might be unpleasant,” he says. “This can make the gel more uncomfortable to use.”
If you are taking drugs that thin your blood, it is unknown whether or not arnica would interact with such medications, according to Dr. Vij. In general, he recommends staying away from arnica in this scenario so that any potential issues may be avoided.
2. Vitamin C
Vitamin C, much like arnica, may be purchased without a prescription in the form of oral and topical supplements. It has been shown by certain pieces of study that it may assist the blood clot, which in turn helps lessen the amount of bruising and swelling that occurs.
There is evidence to suggest that taking vitamin C during the healing process of a bruise may assist in the breakdown of blood clots. If you want to get the most out of vitamin C, Dr. Vij suggests that you take it by mouth as soon as possible after an injury, preferably within the first day or two.
Don’t have any vitamin C on you? Eat some oranges. Additionally, if you have any topical vitamin C oil on hand, you can apply that to the skin that is located around the eye. (Because it can irritate the eye, you should try to avoid getting it in your eyes.)
3. Treatment with A Laser
Laser treatments administered in a dermatologist’s office can prevent a new bruise from spreading and expedite the body’s natural healing process. Dr. Vij advises having the procedure done as soon after the injury as possible to increase the likelihood of it being successful.
Because laser treatments fall under the category of cosmetic procedures, health insurance will not pay for them. Due to the high price of this alternative, Dr. Vij does not suggest it unless you really want your shiner to be removed in a hurry.
However, he thinks that it is a possibility if you have a black eye and your wedding is coming up soon. If lasers are not within your financial means, you will need to practice some patience. There is always an option to use concealer in the meanwhile.
