How to Alleviate Bruising From a Sprained Ankle

According to salubriouslife.com, bruising occurs when the tissue under the skin becomes injured. The capillaries below the skin's surface rupture, and blood drains out into the surrounding area. When the blood pools into the skin, pain, swelling and discoloration occur. In a sprained ankle, the injured area of the sprain becomes bruised when ligament tissues have been torn. The bruising can darken and become more severe several days after the sprain and even after the ankle is healed. Luckily, there are several ways to reduce bruising from a sprained ankle.

Things You'll Need

• 1 shredded raw potato
• Vitamin C
• Foods rich in zinc
• Dark leafy vegetables
• Fresh fruit

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Instructions

• 1

  Apply a shredded raw potato to the injury for one hour. This will reduce discoloration and soreness.

• 2

  Take vitamin C pills. Vitamin C will help the skin by preventing bruising and reducing discoloration.

• 3

  Eat plenty of foods rich in zinc (chicken, soybeans and eggs). Zinc strengthens the blood vessel walls and acids in blood clotting.

• 4

  Eat dark leafy vegetables and fresh fruits. Dark vegetables and fruits are high in vitamin C and bioflavonoids, which help to prevent bruising. Some dark leafy greens (like spinach and broccoli) are rich in vitamin K, which is necessary for blood clotting and healing.