Herbal Medicines for Bruises Treatment

Bruise, also called a contusion or ecchymosis. A bruise is a common skin injury that results in a discoloration of the skin. Blood from damaged blood vessels deep beneath the skin collects near the surface of the skin. Bruises often induce pain but are not normally dangerous. Sometimes bruises can be serious, leading to other more life threatening forms of hematoma, or can be associated with serious injuries, including fractures and internal bleeding.

Also, blood vessels tend to become fragile as people get older, which is why elderly people tend to bruise more easily. Minor bruises may be easily recognized, in people with light skin color, by their characteristic blue or purple appearance in the days following the injury. Vigorous exercise may also cause bruises due to bringing about small tears in blood vessels walls. Bruises also develop easily in the elderly, because the skin and blood vessels have a tendency to become thinner and more fragile with aging, and there is an increased use of medications that interfere with the blood clotting system.

The use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories may lead to increased bruising. Aspirin, antidepressants, asthma medications, and cortisone medications also have this effect. The anti-clotting medications also known as blood thinners, especially the drug Warfarin may be the cause of particularly severe bruising. There are many signs and symptoms of bruise. A fresh bruise may actually be reddish. It will then turn blue or dark purple within a few hours, then yellow or green after a few days as it heals. A bruise is commonly tender, and sometimes even painful for the first few days, but the pain usually goes away as the color fades.

The treatment for a bruise is most effective acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen may be taken for pain as instructed on the bottle. Avoid aspirin because aspirin slows the blood from clotting and may, in fact, prolong the bleeding. Vitamin K cream can be applied directly to the site of injury. Astringent herbs such as witch hazel, Hamamelis virginiana, can be used. This will tighten the tissues and therefore diminish the bruising. Vitamin K promotes normal clotting in the blood, and therefore may help reduce the tendency to bruise easily. Grape seed extract (as directed on label)-protects skin tissues.