A bruise is an injury caused by a blow or a bump that does not cut the skin but breaks blood vessels underneath the skin. Blood seeps out of these vessels, producing the tell-tale black-and-blue discoloration, as well as swelling and soreness.
The deeper the bruise, or contusion, the longer it will take to heal. Leg bruises, for instance, can linger for up to four weeks because leg vessels have greater blood pressure than arm vessels.
Bruises also change in color, first starting off red, then becoming blackish-blue, and finally turning yellowish-green. The final color is a sign that the body has worked to remove the dead cells and tissues and replace them with healthy new cells to restore color to the skin.
Falls, sprains, pinches and suction can cause bruises. These are occupational hazards for active children who love to run, jump, bike, climb or skate. People who are anemic or obese tend to bruise easily. Nutritional deficiencies of vitamin C, iron, vitamin K, bioflavonoids, and other nutrients can contribute to easy bruising. Sometimes, unexplained bruising can be a clue that a person's blood vessel walls are brittle or that a child has insufficient blood-clotting factors. Bruising can also signal the onset of serious illnesses such as leukemia or hemophilia.
Parents should have their child's bruise examined by a doctor if:
People of all ages should see a doctor if a fever accompanies the bruising or for bruises that do not heal.
Medications such as aspirin and other blood thinners like Coumadin can cause bruising. Check with your doctor if you use one or more of these medications to see if it is related to your bruising.
If your doctor has determined that your bruising occurs at the result of anemia, see the Anemia section for more information.
The bruise is located on the
head or the eye areas.
Bruising seems to show up
without any apparent cause.
A minor bump or blow creates
a large bruise.
Bruises are located in
unusual places, such as the back, the calves, or the backs of the arms.
Your child has difficulty
talking, walking, or seeing, or appears drowsy and dizzy.
Prescription for Natural Cures by James F. Balch and Mark Stengler
Super Prescription #1 Homeopathic Arnica
Take a 30C potency four times daily for five days. Arnica is a specific remedy for healing bruises and soft tissue injuries.
Super Prescription #2 Bromelain - LifeSource Product
Take 500 mg three times daily between meals. Look for products standardized to 2,000 M.C.U (milk-clotting units) per 1,000 mg or 1,200 G.D.U. (gelatin-disosolving units) per 1,000 mg. Bromelain has a natural anti-inflammatory effect. Protease enzyme products also have this benefit.
Super Prescription #3 Vitamin C - LifeSource Products - See All of our Vitamin
Take 500 to 1,000 mg three times daily. Vitamin C is used to manufacture collagen, the protein that holds blood vessels and connective tissue together. Vitamin C also improves wound healing.
Super Prescription #4 Bioflavonoids
Take a 500 mg complex three times daily. Bioflavonoids such as rutin and hesperedin act similarly to vitamin C and improve vitamin C's therapeutic effect.
Super Prescription #5 Vitamin K2 - LifeSource Product
Take 2 mg daily for two weeks for an acute bruise and 500 mcg daily to prevent bruising. Vitamin K is involved with the blood-cotting process. Note: Do not use if you are taking blood-thinning medications.
Super Prescription # 6 Multivitamin – High
Potency – LifeSource Products - See All of our Multivitamin
Products.This provides a base of the nutrients required for healthy blood vessels. Take as directed on the container.
Super Prescription #7 Arnica oil
Apply arnica oil topically over the area of the bruise twice daily. This herb in oil form has anti-inflammatory benefits. Do not use on broken skin.
here to see all products, articles and studies for Bruising
Red, black and blue or yellowish
Trauma to soft tissues
Clotting disorders or other
underlying medical conditions
Dark-green leafy vegetables provide many minerals that help heal bruising, such as vitamin C and vitamin K.
Citrus fruits, bell peppers and other brightly colored vegetables and fruits provide bioflavonoids that help heal bruises. Fish such as salmon, nuts like walnuts and seeds such as flaxseeds provide essential fatty acids that are necessary for tissue repair.
Brussels sprouts, broccoli, potatoes and many citrus fruits are good sources of vitamin C.
Foods to Avoid
Reduce or eliminate sugars, as they interrupt the healing of tissue.
Avoid saturated, hydrogentated and trans-fatty acids found in meat and packaged, processed foods, as they interfere with the healing of cells.
Essential fatty acids are found in fish oil or flaxseed oil, are required for tissue healing. A greens formula that contains super green foods, such as chlorella, spirulina, and others, has an alkalinizing effect and is rich in minerals such as vitamins K and C, which promoted healing of the soft tissue.
Maritime pine bark or grape seed extract are rich sources of proanthocyandins, which promote tissue healing.
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