In the home settings, there are a number of ways that many can end up with bumps and bruises. They come due to the little or major accidents that we get involved in such as a simple fall, knock on the furniture or banging the head on the wall may all result in a bump and bruise. The material posted on this page for managing bumps and bruises is for learning purposes only. If you have severe haematoma or have any serious injury consult your physician. If you want to learn to recognize and manage serious injuries sign up for first aid training with a credible provider near you.
What Causes Bumps and Bruises?
Bruises are developed by an individual when he or she gets trauma to the body that breaks the capillaries near the skin. The broken capillaries then let blood flow into the surrounding tissues, thereby creating the bump. The bump can also be as a result of the bodily reaction to the bruise which in itself is an injury. A bruise is medically termed as a contusion. The extent of bruises depends a lot with age. The kind of trauma that can easily cause a bruise in an elderly person may not have much impact on a younger person. Serious bruising may also be a sing of other underlying injuries. The body treats the bruises by absorbing the spilled blood back into the circulatory system hence the fading of color as it heals. Normally a bruise may appear worse than it actually is or feels. When it occurs, there are a number of measures that can be taken to ensure faster treatment and healing.
Treating Bumps and Bruises
Many parents cannot stand the sight of their children getting an injury. This is only made worse if the injury causes a swelling. It should be noted that the swelling that comes with the bruises is a defence mechanism of the body. To keep bumps and bruises under control, one will need to;
- Offer treatment to the bumps and bruises as soon as possible. This should be through the use of ice packs for twenty minutes at a time for the initial twenty four hours. There should be thirty minute breaks between the uses of ice packs on the Bumps and bruises.
- Use paracetamol to relieve the pain. This should be within the stipulated limits of dosage.
- Ensure a lot of rest for the victim with minimal movement.
As explained before, a number of bumps and bruises simply fade away on their own after some time. However, one can help with the healing process through minimizing the bruise and offering treatment. Many people treat bumps and bruises through this simple first aid process;
- Use of ice. Ice is used to suppress the swelling and stop the leaking of blood into the tissues from the broken capillaries. One should however not apply the ice directly to the skin. He should ensure that the ice is placed in a clean piece of cloth before applying onto the bruise. Apply the ice for ten minutes each time.
- Keep applying the ice in intervals of thirty minutes for twenty four hours.
- Elevate the bruised part. This is done by ensuring that the victim gets to lie down on a flat surface and if possible, use pillows to raise the bruised limb to a position above the heart.
- Heat will be applied to the bruised part to help clear the collected blood. This application of heat is done after twenty four hours of the bruise. The heat is applied for ten to twenty minutes at a time.
- Rest. A lot of rest will ensure better chances of fast recovery.