A Bruise Under the Eye: How to Heal It Faster

A bruise under the eye can appear for many reasons: a nose injury, eye or eyelid plastic surgery, an allergic reaction, bites, a skin or dental infection, and one of the most common causes – a blow to the face. A bruise around the eye causes swelling, pain in the injured area and headache, and makes seeing more difficult. Although it looks frightening, such a bruise can usually be healed quickly at home.

Ice Compress

The first aid for a fresh bruise is an ice compress. Wrap a handful of ice in a towel – never put ice on the bruise without insulating it, and never rub it into the skin. Hold the compress against the swelling for 10–20 minutes. Repeat the procedure several times a day during the first 48 hours. Ice reduces swelling and bleeding under the skin, so the bruise stays smaller and heals faster. An ice compress also eases the pain.

Warm Compress

One or two days after the bruise appears, start using warm compresses. Warmth improves circulation in the tissues around the eye and speeds up healing. Soak a clean piece of cloth in warm water, wring out the excess and place it on the injured area. Keep it there until the compress cools down. Repeat several times a day. If it does not hurt, you can also massage the area gently with the warm compress. This improves blood flow and helps clear the clotted blood under the skin.

Vitamin C

An extra amount of vitamin C has a positive effect on a bruise under the eye. This vitamin helps the walls of the blood vessels become stronger and thicker, which speeds up healing. Eat fruit and vegetables rich in vitamin C: lemons, oranges, cranberries, broccoli, potatoes. If you cannot change your diet, you can additionally take food supplements with vitamin C or pure vitamin C.

Pineapples and Papayas

These fruits are excellent helpers in treating bruises. They are rich in antioxidants that speed up the healing of practically any injury causing skin discolouration. They also contain special enzymes that soften and heal the skin. You can eat the fruit, drink the juice or place the pulp as a compress on the injured area – it helps in all these forms.

Witch Hazel

Witch hazel treats not only bruises around the eyes but many other complaints as well. Soak a piece of cotton wool in witch hazel decoction or oil and hold it on the injured area for a few minutes. The compress will soothe and heal the skin. A mixture of chamomile oil and witch hazel decoction (or oil) can also be used for compresses. Compresses should be made two or three times a day.

Arnica

Arnica can reduce the swelling that appears when the tissues around the eyes are injured. Arnica ointment or oil also helps the muscles and other tissues around the eyes. The sooner you start using arnica preparations, the better. Apply the ointment to the injured area two or three times a day; it is important that the ointment does not get into the eyes.

Natural Oil

Even ordinary oil can help when the skin around the eye turns blue, but it has to be natural and of high quality. Simply massage the oil into the skin of the injured area and the swelling and inflammation will decrease. Remember that the tissues around the eyes are very delicate, so massage very carefully.

Potato

A potato is not only rich in vitamin C, which strengthens the walls of the blood vessels, but it also reduces swelling and acts as a pain reliever. Peel a potato and cut it into thick slices. Cool the slices in the fridge for half an hour. Then place them on the injured area for about 30 minutes. Potato juice can also be used to moisten a compress.

To make sure the bruise under the eye causes as little discomfort as possible and heals faster, it is important to follow certain rules. Wash the injured area clean and dry it well. This helps to avoid a bacterial infection. If the pain is hard to bear, take painkillers, but avoid aspirin – it slows down blood clotting. When lying down, try to keep your head above body level – this way blood does not pool on the side of the head and the bruise fades faster. Do not rub or press the injured eye. Also, during the first days, while the swelling has not gone down, do not use cosmetics – they can cause an infection.

If, despite all your efforts, your condition gets worse – the pain does not decrease, your vision is disturbed, you feel dizzy, nauseous or even vomit – see a doctor as soon as possible. These can be signs of a serious injury.