Bruises

Information Available
What are Bruises?
How do I know if I need help?
What can I do about Bruises?

What are Bruises?

How do I know if I need help?

If a bruise is sustained as the result of a serious fall from a reasonable height or any other accident, such as falling down the stairs, call your doctor as they may want to examine you for less obvious injuries. You should also call the doctor in the case of head injuries. If your baby's bruise doesn't fade or disappear in two weeks or if you are in pain for more than 24 hours, contact your doctor.

It is a good idea to contact your doctor if your child has lots of unexplained black-and-blue or purple spots that aren't associated with injuries, which may indicate that he has a tendency to bleed easily.

What can I do about Bruises?

Most bruises are harmless and heal on their own within a week to 10 days. If your bruise is accompanied by swelling, you can apply ice packs for 15-minute periods several times a day during the first 48 hours to reduce swelling. A partially thawed package of frozen peas may be useful if an ice pack isn't handy, but wrap the package in an old cloth first to avoid the cold burning your skin.

Homeopathic and herbal remedies can be helpful in the case of normal bruising injuries. Arnica cream from your pharmacist or health food supplier is useful and usually significantly reduces healing time.
Consult your Naturopath reguarding useful remedies for bruising.