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Bruise treatment

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Bruise mark treatment

Alternative Names

Ecchymosis treatment; Hematoma or contusion treatment

Information

Question:

Is there a way to reduce black-and-blue bruises caused by trauma?

Answer:

Apply ice packs to the injured body area immediately after the injury and apply pressure. The ice pack must be kept on for at least 20 minutes. It may be alternated with a heat pack for the next 48 hours. The bruise must still undergo the appropriate stages of healing. It will change color from red to purple to yellow to brown. See bruising.

Seek help from a health care provider if:

The injury is due to severe trauma.
There are bruise marks that do not resolve with time.
Significant bruising occurs with minimal injury.
The bruise is a result of a recent procedure or surgery.
If there is severe pain, redness, swelling or warmth to touch accompanying the bruise.

Review Date: 8/8/2005
Reviewed By: William D. Whetstone M.D., Associate Clinical Professor, Division of Emergency Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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