First Aid :Bruises
Bruises are injuries to the soft tissue and caused through Sports Injuries,Accidents, Falls and Blows from objects/people. They cause discolouration of the skin.
Bruises are Subcutaneous-underneath the skin or Intramuscular – within the underlying muscles or Periosteal-bruise related to bone.
The following events are connected to bruises:
- Small veins and capillaries under the skin breaks
- Blood escapes and collects under skin
- In the beginning bruises look purplish or red
- In 2 days it may change to black or blue color
- It changes to a green/yellow color in 5 days
- Changes to a brown shade in 10-14 days
- It further lightens and fades away
- The changing colors indicates red cell metabolism
First Aid Treatment
- Most bruises vanish in 2 weeks time
- No bandage required if skin is not broken
- Keep bruised area raised
- Apply cold compress, ½ hr to one hr at a time
- Continue this for two days
- Do not apply ice directly on skin
- Can take pain killing medications, like acetaminophen
- Avoid draining the bruise using needle
- Avoid using the bruised part
- For more serious injury consult a doctor
- Consult also in case of spontaneous injury/infection
- Protein-bioflavinoids-Vit C rich food helps healing