How to Treat a Contusion

A contusion, or bruise, can appear on your body after a forceful impact, such as a fall or collision. Contusions occur when capillaries rupture under your skin. Since your skin is not cut or broken, the blood cannot escape and pools just below the skin, forming the purple or blueish marks we call bruises. Contusions can be treated at home, but you should see a doctor if they do not heal after a few weeks or if they cause extreme pain.

Things You'll Need

• Cold compress
• Pain killer medication

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Instructions

• 1

  Immediately apply a cold compress to the bruise. Use a bag of ice or frozen vegetables if you do not have an icepack. Wrap ice in a cloth before applying it to the skin to avoid freezer burn. Place the compress on the bruise for up to thirty minutes at a time, using it throughout the day as needed.

• 2

  Elevate the afflicted body part, especially if you have a large contusion, to reduce swelling. Keep the area elevated as often as possible during the first twenty-hour hours.

• 3

  Take medicine such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen to ease pain. Do not take aspirin, as it can promote bleeding.

• 4

  Apply heat to the contusion a few days after the injury. Soak a towel or washcloth in warm water and place on the contusion for ten minutes, two to three times a day. Heat will help the contusion heal faster.