What to do for bruises?

What to do with bruises? This is information that each of us should know and which is useful not only to study, but also to assimilate at the level of habitual actions. Bruises accompany us almost every day - there are small, unnoticeable ones, and there are those that require basic but urgent help. You should not consider a bruise as something insignificant, not worth attention. The fact is that any damage to soft tissues, and this is a bruise, is an injury to the body. With a bruise, the integrity of the subcutaneous tissue is disrupted, capillaries and blood vessels are damaged, sometimes nerve endings and even nearby organs. In addition, bruises can vary in severity and localization. Agree, an elbow bruise is an unpleasant and painful injury, but a head bruise is a more than serious injury, sometimes requiring medical attention.

Before deciding what to do with bruises, it is necessary to clarify what happens to the skin, the deeper layers of the epidermis, and the circulatory system during an injury.

A bruise, whether it was the result of a fall or an impact from a heavy object, first damages the outer skin. If the skin is not damaged, there are no abrasions, scratches or wounds on it, this does not mean that everything is fine underneath. Usually, the blow is taken by the more vulnerable subcutaneous fat. The upper layer of the skin is indeed stronger, more homogeneous, it is considered horny, since its cells are constantly renewed, replacing the old ones (this process takes from ten days to a month). Under the outer layer is a heterogeneous dermis containing glands that secrete fats and sweat. The dermis also contains collagen and elastin. Even lower under the dermis is a layer that retains heat and cushions blows - this is the hypodermis, which is also called subcutaneous tissue. It is this layer that takes on bruises and protects internal organs from them. All skin layers are permeated with small vessels – blood and lymphatic, intertwined with nerve fibers and muscles.

A bruise injures not so much the upper layer of the skin as the fatty tissue, small capillaries and vessels, and nerve endings. Blood breaks through from damaged vessels into nearby tissues, where it can accumulate or spill, spreading further along the layer, right up to the joint cavity. The blood, thanks to the platelets in its composition, stops in ten to fifteen minutes, but if a larger vessel is damaged, bleeding can last up to a day. Spilled blood under the skin forms bruises and hematomas. Subcutaneous tissue has a specific porous structure, due to its looseness, lymph accumulates in it, as a result of which swelling quickly forms at the site of the bruise. If the injury is severe, the bruise destroys the nerve endings and the epithelial membrane of the internal organs, or the periosteum.

What to do in case of bruises, how to distinguish a minor bruise from a serious hidden injury?

The first thing that indicates a serious injury, a possible dislocation or fracture, is a gradually or instantly increasing swelling, increasing pain. Swelling and pain are also characteristic of bruises, but they pass quickly enough. Swelling usually goes away on the second or third day, pain - within 24 hours. If these periods are exceeded, you should consult a doctor, independent actions may not help, and even more - harm. You should also monitor hematomas, bruises. The period of absorption of bruises lasts from a week to two, a hematoma also resolves within these time limits. A regular hematoma has blurred contours, since subcutaneous, porous tissues are saturated with blood unevenly, this process is called imbibition. If the contours of the hematoma are clear, even, and absorption does not occur, then the accumulation of exudate and the formation of subcutaneous cysts, up to necrotic changes in the tissues, are possible. Such hematomas are removed by puncturing.

What to do with bruises and how to treat them?

Basic rules:

• The first day - rest and cold. Cold means compresses, ice, cold objects. Cold compresses are changed, replacing them periodically as the patient warms up. Cold helps relieve pain, and also slows the spread of blood flowing into the subcutaneous layers, stops bruises and swelling. If there are scratches or abrasions, they should be treated with an antiseptic (hydrogen peroxide).

It is necessary to apply a moderately tight, compressive bandage. It is necessary to monitor the tightening so as not to harm the blood circulation. It is advisable to use elastic material (bandages). Cold is applied over the bandage.

• The second day – rest and warmth. Thermal compresses should be gentle, not warming, but warming. A warm bath, dry compress, warming with special lamps (UHF) help to dissolve accumulated lymph, activate blood flow in the area of the injury.

Starting from the second day, it is recommended to apply local external agents to neutralize possible inflammation. This is acceptable for whole, unbroken skin, but if there are abrasions, scratches or open wounds, anti-inflammatory ointments and gels cannot be applied. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs include ointments containing diclofenac, ibuprofen. Ointments containing absorbable components are also good - heparin, horse chestnut extract.

• The third and fourth days, if there is no visible damage to the skin, are suitable for applying warming ointments containing essential oils, bee or snake venom.

If the bruise is causing pain, causing immobility, unusual sensory reactions - blurred vision, hearing loss, vegetative symptoms - nausea, dizziness, you should not hesitate and try to solve these problems yourself. You cannot waste precious time, you need to find a doctor, a medical institution and seek qualified help as soon as possible.

What to do if you have a bruised knee?

Knee, elbow or ankle bruises may seem like minor injuries at first glance. However, to rule out cracks, fractures or meniscus tears, you should still visit a traumatologist or at least get an X-ray. First aid involves immobilizing the joint (bandaging or splinting), and a cold compress. If the pain is severe, you can take an analgesic.

What to do if you have a bruised sternum?

Bruising of the sternum is also dangerous, especially if, in addition to pain and swelling, sounds resembling crunching are heard when changing position, turning over. This may be a sign of a fracture or crack of the costal arch, damage to the lung. Difficulty inhaling or exhaling, pallor and sweating, decreased pressure are formidable symptoms that dictate the need for urgent medical care. First aid consists of immobilization, but not lying down, but in a semi-sitting position, with a bolster or pillow placed under the shoulder blades. It is necessary to provide fresh air in the room and maximum free breathing - unbutton clothes, belt, and so on.

What to do in case of epigastric contusions?

A contusion of the epigastric region - the abdomen, is fraught with damage to internal organs, up to bleeding into the peritoneal cavity. Signs that threaten health are severe pain in the abdomen that does not stop within an hour, tension in the abdominal muscles, plaque on the tongue, dry mouth, decreased blood pressure and slow pulse. Before the victim is taken to the hospital, the following can be done at home: give a horizontal position, do not give water or food, as well as any medications, including painkillers. If the skin is pale, loss of consciousness, you can bring a tampon or cotton wool soaked in ammonia to the nose. All other actions will be performed by professionals, doctors - traumatologists.

What to do if you have a head injury?

A head injury is probably the most dangerous injury of all, as it can cause not only a concussion, but also more serious threats, such as a basal skull fracture. The following symptoms should alert you: symmetrical bruises, swelling on the face, on the sides of the nose, or "glasses syndrome" - around the eyes. Nausea, gag reflex, loss of balance, dizziness, and visual impairment are all threatening symptoms that require immediate, urgent hospitalization. First aid consists of shielding the victim from noise and light. Then apply cold to the forehead and back of the head and call an ambulance. Do not give water, food, or medication. You can put ammonia under the nose.

What to do if you have a bruised neck?

Contusion of the cervical vertebrae is quite common among people involved in acrobatics and active sports. First aid for a contusion consists of immobilizing the neck as a whole to limit its mobility. Any fixing material will do, but do not tighten the neck too tightly so as not to disrupt breathing and blood flow. If after 24 hours there is still pain when turning the head or bending, you should see a traumatologist and have an X-ray taken. If a contusion of the neck is accompanied by symptoms similar to a concussion - nausea, dizziness, vomiting, you should see a doctor immediately, without waiting for 24 hours to pass.

The main rule for differentiating a bruise from more serious injuries is a decrease in symptoms in the first day. If this does not happen, medical assistance is needed.

What should you do first in case of bruises?

Rest, cold, immobilization, fixing bandage. This is the first thing to remember, besides, no matter how trite this phrase may sound, you just need to be more attentive and careful in places and situations where there is a risk of injury. As you know, any disease, as well as a bruise, is easier to prevent than to treat later.