How to Heal a Bruise?
- Kylie Leeson
- Nov 28, 2018
- 3 min read
If you have ITP (Immune thrombocytopenic purpura) then you should be aware that one of the symptoms/ effects of your platelets decreasing is bruising. For the most part a bruise here and there doesn’t look too bad depending on the size however at times especially during the Summer season when you want to wear clothes that don’t necessarily cover you from head to toe a bruise or two can look terrible. Not to mention if you have had a big outbreak then you could ultimately look like you have just joined fight club.
Often at times I am covered with bruises (these are not from fighting nor does my husband beat me – trust me he’d have no chance). However due to my condition bruises can appear out of nowhere and I am left looking like a battered wife. Trust me this is not a good look and the amount of times I have had people approach me saying “hunny he’s not worth it” makes me worry about my husband’s image.
Therefore, today’s topic of discussion is how to heal a bruise
To begin let’s start with what causes Bruises?
Well usually impact injuries to soft tissues can cause the small blood vessels under your skin to break. When the red blood cells leak out from these small blood vessels they collect under the skin which then creates the bruise (discolour of the skin).
Everyone gets bruises however if you have low platelets then bruising may not necessarily be caused by injury (small blood vessels burst all the time some burst due to sun damage, aging, genetics etc.) and the outcome of someone with low platelets having a small blood vessel burst can be more severe. Reason being is because platelets are the tiny red cells in the blood that stick together to ensure you do not bleed too much. When there is a lack of platelets (Immune thrombocytopenic purpura) it’s much harder for the body to control or plug up the bleed.
Ok so now we have done the basic’s on how bruises appear let’s run though ways to reduce it’s appearance.
Ice Ice Baby
An oldie but a goodie. Applying an ice pack especially as soon as possible helps to constrict the blood vessels that may be damaged and bleeding.
IMPORTANT
If you have ITP or a bleeding disorder do not take any (NSAID) drugs, these drugs include ibuprofen and aspirin – these drugs may prolong the bleeding and may interfere with the platelets being able to do their job.
Elevate
Reducing blood flow to the area should help minimize the discoloration. So for example if you have a bruise on your leg, lay back, tuck some pillows underneath your legs and elevate your legs above your heart level.
Take your Vitamin C
Seriously this little Vitamin packs a punch. Not only is Vitamin C helpful in reducing inflammation but it also has the ability to strengthen the small blood vessel walls (capillary walls) so they are less likely to leak blood and create a bruise.
They see me Rollin
Once the bruise has formed and gathered the blood under the skin surface a good way to move the blood around so it can drain away is to use a foam roller. Foam rolling has the ability to boost the lymphatic system which stimulates blood circulation. Obviously the key here is to be gentle.
Get some Sun
Some Vitamin D can do wonders for healing. Reason being is the UV radiation from the sun has been known to help breakdown bilirubin which is a substance which causes a bruise to turn yellow.