How to Minimize Black Eyes

At some point in life you may encounter a situation that renders you a black eye. This could be during a sporting event, a physical altercation or even a housecleaning or job-related accident. Black eyes are common injuries that cause swelling and discoloration as well as pain and discomfort. They have even been known to cause serious damage to the eye as well as a concussion. If you find yourself having to deal with a black eye, there are several ways to minimize it.

Things You'll Need

• Crushed ice
• Plastic bag
• Two medium pillows
• Face towel

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Instructions

Ice Pack

• 1

  Place crushed ice in a plastic bag to make an ice pack. Wrap a small face towel or paper towel around it.

• 2

  Apply the ice compress to your eye for about 5-10 minutes. The cold decreases flow to blood vessels and minimizes bleeding in tissue that surround the eye.

• 3

  Leave it off your eye for 10-15 minutes and then reapply for 5-10 minutes. Do this for at least an hour.

Sleep With Head Elevated

• 4

  Take two medium sized pillows and place one on top of the other.

• 5

  Lie in bed on your back with the pillows underneath your neck and head. If the pillows are too high and are causing strain on your neck, position your body so that your shoulders, neck and head are all on the pillows.

• 6

  Sleep in this position for at least four hours.

Warm Compress

• 7

  Soak a face towel in hot water and wring it out. Start this process 48 hours after your black eye first occurs. Fold the towel in half and then in half again.

• 8

  Apply the warm compress to your eye for about 5-10 minutes.

• 9

  Remove the compress from your eye for about 10-15 minutes and put it back on for 5-10 minutes again. Keep doing this for at least an hour.