MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Bruise mark treatment

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Bruise mark treatment

Contents of this page:
Illustrations Alternative Names	Information

Illustrations

Bruise treatment

Alternative Names Return to top

Ecchymosis treatment; Hematoma or contusion treatment

Information Return to top

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
There is severe pain, redness, swelling or warmth to touch accompanying the bruise

Update Date: 7/18/2007

Updated by: Eric Perez, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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