Bruise Easily? 5 Tips For Healing Bruises Faster

We can all spot a bruise when it’s forming--the temporary discoloration on the skin that sometimes happens after an impact or injury. A bruise is caused when the blood vessels just below the skin rupture. When the bruise changes color, that means your body is reabsorbing the blood. But even if you bruise easily, taking a few simple steps can help that ugly bruise heal much faster.

Bruise Easily? 5 Tips For Healing Bruises Faster

1. Ice your bruise. Icing your bruise is the first step toward healing it because cooling the blood vessels around the bruised area make so that less blood will leak into the surrounding tissue.

2. Wrap the bruise with an elastic bandage. By squeezing the area with an elastic bandage you’re preventing the blood vessels from leaking, which can make the bruise seem that much more dramatic.

3. Get enough vitamin C. If you bruise easily, you may want to consider adding in vitamin C in the form of citrus fruits, kiwi, mango, pineapple, watermelon, and peppers. A multivitamin is also a good option. Vitamin C helps with the synthesis of collagen and other compounds that affect the skin's ability to withstand the impact of bruises.

4. Use natural topical treatments with arnica. Arnica is a commonly used herbal treatment that’s applied to the skin as an anti-inflammatory and pain relieving agent. Consider choosing a topical treatment that contains this natural ingredient.

5. Consider menthol. Menthol is another natural ingredient with a host of benefits in the topical form. Menthol is derived from peppermint oil and it’s great for soothing the skin. It has local anesthetic properties that softens the pain while at the same time, providing cooling relief.

Sara Novak is a Natural Health Care Expert for Zax Health. Follow her on Twitter at @sarafnovak.