What to do with bruises?

What to do with bruises? This information, which 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 daily - there are small, inconspicuous, happen and those that require basic but urgent help. You should not consider a bruise as something insignificant, not worthy of attention. The fact is that any damage to soft tissues, and this is a bruise, is a trauma to the body. With a bruise, the integrity of the subcutaneous tissue is violated, capillaries and vessels are damaged, sometimes nerve endings and even nearby organs. In addition, bruises can be different in severity and localization. Agree, an injury to the elbow - the injury is unpleasant and painful, but the head's bruise - damage more than serious, sometimes requiring medical attention.

Before deciding what to do with bruises, it is necessary to clarify what happens when a trauma with the skin, deeper layers of the epidermis, the circulatory system.

A bruise, regardless of whether it was the result of an independent fall or external exposure to a heavy object, first damages the outer skin. If the skin is not damaged, there are no abrasions, scratches or wounds, this does not mean that everything is all right under it. Usually the blow takes more vulnerable subcutaneous fatty tissue. The upper layer of the skin is really stronger, uniform, it is considered horny, as its cells are constantly updated, replacing the old ones (this process takes from ten days to a month). Under the outer layer is an inhomogeneous dermis, containing glands secreting fats, sweat. Also, the dermis contains collagen and elastin. Even lower under the dermis is a layer that retains heat and damping impacts - this hypoderm, which is also called subcutaneous tissue. It is this layer that takes bruises and saves internal organs from them. All skin layers are permeated with small vessels - blood and lymphatic, intertwined with nerve fibers and muscles.

Contusion injures not so much the upper layer of the skin, how much fatty tissue, small capillaries and vessels, nerve endings. Blood breaks out of damaged vessels into nearby tissues, where it can accumulate or diffuse, spread further along the layer, up to the articular cavity. Blood, thanks to being in the composition of platelets, stops after ten to fifteen minutes, but if a larger vessel is damaged, bleeding can last up to a day. Under the skin, the spilled blood forms bruises, bruises. Subcutaneous fat has a specific porous structure, due to its friability, lymph accumulates in it, resulting in rapid edema in the place of the injury. 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 with bruises, how to distinguish an easy bruise from a serious concealed injury?

The first, which indicates a serious injury, a possible dislocation or fracture, is a gradual or instant swelling of the edema, an increasing pain. For bruises are also characterized by swelling and pain, but they quickly pass. Puffiness, as a rule, descend on the second-third day, pain - during the day. If these periods are exceeded, you should consult a doctor, independent actions can not help, and even more - to do harm. Also it is necessary to observe hematomas, bruises. The period of resorption of bruises lasts from a week to two, the hematoma dissolves also within these time limits. Conventional hematoma has vague contours, since subcutaneous, porous tissues are impregnated with blood unevenly, this process is called imbibition. If the contours of the hematoma are clear, smooth, and resorption does not occur, then accumulation of exudate and the formation of subcutaneous cysts, up to necrotic changes in tissues. Such hematomas are removed by puncturing.

What to do with bruises and how to treat them?

Fundamental rules: 

• The first day - peace and cold. Cold means compresses, applying ice, cold objects. Cold gadgets change, changing them periodically as warming. Cold helps to relieve pain, and also slows the spread of blood to the subcutaneous layers, it bruises bruises and swelling. If there are scratches or abrasions, they should be treated with an antiseptic (hydrogen peroxide). 

It is mandatory to apply a moderately tight, squeezing bandage. It is necessary to follow the contraction, so as not to damage the blood circulation. It is advisable to use elastic material (bandages). Cold is applied over the dressings. 

• The second day - peace and warmth. Heat compresses should be gentle, not warming up, namely warming. A warm bath, dry compress, warming with special lamps (UHF) help the resorption of accumulated lymph, activate blood flow in the place of injury. 

Starting from the second day, it is recommended to apply local external agents to neutralize possible inflammation. This is permissible for whole, uninterrupted skin, if there are abrasions, scratches or open wounds, anti-inflammatory ointments, it is impossible to apply gels. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs include ointments containing diclofenac, ibuprofen. Also good are ointments containing resorptive components - heparin, horse chestnut extract. 

• The third and fourth day, if there is no visible damage to the skin, is suitable for applying warming ointments containing essential oils, poison bees or snakes. 

If the bruise disturbs the sensations, provokes immobility, unusual sensory reactions - blurred vision, hearing loss, autonomic symptoms - nausea, dizziness, do not hesitate and try to solve these problems on your own. It is impossible to lose precious time, it is necessary to find a doctor, a medical institution as soon as possible and apply for qualified help.

What to do with bruises of the knee?

Contusions of the knee, elbow or ankle seem at first glance to be minor injuries. However, in order to avoid cracks, fractures or tearing of the meniscus, you should still visit a traumatologist or at least make an X-ray. The first help is to immobilize the joint (bandaging or the tire), a cold compress. With severe pain, you can take analgesic. 

What to do with bruises bruises?

Contusion of the sternum is also dangerous, especially if in addition to pain and swelling sounds are heard resembling crunches when changing positions, turning over. This may be a sign of a fracture or a fracture of the costal arch, damage to the lung. Difficulties in inhaling or exhaling, pallor and sweating, and lowering of pressure are terrible symptoms that dictate the need for urgent medical care. The first help consists in immobilization, but not lying, but in the position of a half-sider, with the laying of a roller or a cushion under the shoulder blades. It should provide fresh air in the room and maximum free breathing - unfasten clothes, belt and so on. 

What to do with bruises epigastrium?

The bruise of the epigastric region - the abdomen, is fraught with damage to internal organs, up to bleeding into the peritoneal cavity. Symptoms that threaten health are severe pain in the abdomen, which do not stop within an hour, the tension of the abdominal muscles, the plaque in the tongue, dry mouth, lowering of pressure and slowing of the pulse. Before the victim is taken to the hospital, at home, you can do the following: give a horizontal position, water or food can not be given, as well as any medications, including painkillers. With the pallor of the skin, a loss of consciousness, you can bring to the nose a tampon or cotton wool soaked with ammonia. All other actions will be performed by professionals, physicians - traumatologists. 

What to do with head injuries?

A head injury is perhaps the most dangerous injury from the category of bruises, as it is fraught not only with concussion, but also with more serious threats, such as a fracture of the base of the skull. The following symptoms should be cautious: symmetrical bruises, swelling on the face, on the sides of the nose, or "glasses syndrome" around the eyes. Nausea, vomiting reflex, imbalance, dizziness, visual impairment are all menacing symptoms that require immediate, immediate hospitalization. First aid is to protect the victim from noise, light. Next, you should put a cold on the forehead and the back of the head and call an ambulance. Do not give water, food, medicine. You can bring ammonia to the nose. 

What to do with neck injuries?

The bruise of the cervical vertebrae is quite common among people practicing acrobatics and active sports. The first aid in case of a bruise is to immobilize the neck as a whole in order to limit its mobility. Any fixing material will do, but one should not tighten his neck tight so as not to disturb breathing and blood flow. If after a day there is pain when turning the head, inclinations, you should consult a traumatologist and make an X-ray. If the neck injury is accompanied by signs similar to a concussion - nausea, dizziness, vomiting, you need to see a doctor immediately, without waiting for the expiration of the day.

The main rule of differentiation of injury and more serious injuries is the reduction of symptoms in the first day. If this does not happen, you need medical help.

What should be done first with bruises?

Peace, cold, immobilization, fixing bandage. Here is the first thing to remember, besides, no matter how trite this phrase sounded, you just have to be more careful 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.