What Are the Treatments for a Black & Blue Bruise?

When a person strikes a part of her body and the skin doesn't break but the muscle fibers and connective tissue underneath are crushed, blood vessels beneath the skin may rupture and bleed. The blood under the skin will form a dark mark commonly referred to as a bruise. Treating a bruise is most effective right after the injury with the items that make use of heat or cold and pain medication.

Cold Items

• A person who sustains a bruise may use ice, or items like a cold compress or a pack of frozen vegetables, to reduce swelling and speed up the healing process. The cold item should never be applied directly to the bruise. Wrap the item in a cloth, paper towel or similar object before application to the bruise and press it on the affected area for 20 to 30 minutes.

Pain Medication

• Pain medication like ibuprofen can be taken to reduce the pain caused by a bruise. Because aspirin may prolong the bleeding of a bruise due to its blood-thinning properties, a person should avoid using it while treating a bruise.

Heat

• For up to 48 hours after sustaining a bruise, a person may use heat for up to 10 minutes at a time, two to three times a day, to speed up circulation and increase the amount of time it takes for the blood to absorb back into the body.