Summer First Aid Tips: Let's Talk About Bruise

Most minor injuries like bruises can be treated right at home without the need to call for emergency medical help. With basic first aid, bruises can easily be treated, promote healing and prevent infection.

Causes
Bruises are a sign of internal bleeding. It is often caused by sports injuries, blows from people or objects, falls, and accidents. When the skin is bruised, it often changes its color to pink, red, or crimson as a result of blood clots. (Take note that clotting does not affect the heart or lung, or is life-threatening). Kids are often bruised from playing or hitting hard objects. Bruises can be caused by physical abuse.


First Aid for Bruises

Bruises are generally painful but heal without the need for general treatment. If the skin is not broken, bondage is unnecessary. It is important, however, to follow these simple techniques to improve healing and prevent infection:

• Keep bruised area raised
• Apply cold compress to the site of the bruise for 30 minutes at a time. Do this for several days. DO NOT apply ice directly onto the bruised area.
• Never touch or apply pressure in the site of the bruise. Never clean the bruise using a needle. Picking the clot with sharp object can cause infection.
• If possible, let the bruised rest.
• Take acetaminophen for pain relief.
• Bruises naturally heal in 2 weeks time without any complications.

In special cases, bruises can be a sign of underlying injuries such as sprains and broken bones. If this is the case, make sure that you call for emergency medical help right away. And while waiting for it to arrive, attend to the victim by applying cold compress on the site (not directly to the bruise) of the bruise. This effectively reduces swelling and pain.

You can tell if the bruise is serious or not. Do not hesitate to call for emergency help if he or she asks you to or if there are major reactions to the injury like shock and abnormal vital signs.

Prevention

• Teach your kids safety measures.
• Child-proof your house. Areas of your home that cause injury to your kids should be addressed properly.
• When sporting, wear pads on frequently-bruised area.
• Do not take unnecessary risk while on the road. Wear seatbelt when in a car or a helmet while riding a motorcycle.