Bruises Health Video

Bruises can be both unsightly and painful, and you might not know how to treat them. Learn about bruises from a doctor in this video on minor medical concerns.

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Reduce vitamin E to prevent excess bruising
Aspirin & anti-inflammatories may increase bruising
Apply ice to injuries
Vitamin K creams may prevent bruising

About this Author

Dr. Loretta Ciraldo, the author of the book Six Weeks to Sensational Skin, is a board certified dermatologist who has made numerous appearances on television shows such as Good Morning America. She holds a degree from Hunter College in New York, an M.D. from Downstate University at SUNY, and did her residency at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Dr. Ciraldo has been a board-certified dermatologist since 1982, and is currently a voluntary professor at the University of Miami, where she runs a clinic in cosmetic dermatology.

DR. LORETTA CIRALDO: Hi. I'm Dr. Loretta Ciraldo, voluntary professor of Dermatology at the University of Miami School of Medicine as well as a practicing Dermatologist for nearly 30 years. One thing they may ask about so often is bruising and how to avoid it. So, the first thing that a lot of people are surprised about is that there are so many things that we may be doing that could increase our bruisability. The first thing is taking certain vitamin supplements, especially vitamin E, although vitamin E is a healthy supplement to take. If you find that you are bruising, cut back on your vitamin E or stop it for a little while. Second thing is if you're having any kind of surgery done or you're going to the doctor to have shots or maybe even to the dentist or for some cleaning and you maybe getting a little bit of manipulation you just don't wan to get bruising, stop your vitamin E. The other thing is Aspirin, which also is a blood thinner, and although it can be healthy to take Aspirin, it sometimes makes you bruise more easily. Third kind of product is the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, things like Aleve and Advil and all. All of these can add to your bruising. So, if you're already bruising or you want to prevent bruising because you have an upcoming procedure; stop these things in addition to prescription cortisones, like prednisone pills. Now, the other thing about bruising is if you do get an injury and you're afraid you're going to bruise, your two best friends to prevent or minimize bruising are ice. Please apply ice on and off to an area that seems to be bruising for about 6 hours and look for a topical vitamin K cream, which if you start to apply the day of bruising, will really remedy that bruise much faster than if you hadn't.