Unless you live in a bubble, you're likely to get some bruises in your lifetime. Bruising is caused by broken capillaries under the skin as the result of an impact. Some bruises will be small and easily covered, but some might be quite large and come at an inopportune time--your wedding day, or a beach trip with the girls. Don't panic. You can get rid of that bruise in just a few days.
Step 1
Apply ice to the bruise as soon as it happens. You can wrap ice cubes in a towel, put them in a plastic bag or use an ice pack.
Step 2
Elevate the bruised area above the heart while you are icing it if possible.
Step 3
Keep the ice on for 10 minutes, let the bruised area thaw for 5 minutes and then reapply the ice for another 10 minutes. Continue this process for about an hour.
Step 4
Apply arnica gel or cream to the bruise once you have finished icing it. Reapply the arnica gel to the area twice a day until the bruise is gone.
Step 5
Begin to apply warm compresses to the bruised area after 48 hours. Wet a small towel with warm water and let it sit on your bruise for a few minutes. Continue to rewarm the towel when it cools. Repeat three to four times a day for 15 minutes each time.
Things You'll Need
- Ice
- Towel
- Warm water
- Arnica gel or cream
