Should hot compresses dissolve bruises?

Injuries happen to damaged blood vessels that cause bruises and they take time to heal. There are several ways that bruising can be dissolved. And many people may wonder whether hot compresses can dissolve bruises? Does hot compress reduce swelling? This article will answer your questions regarding dissolving bruises.

A bruise, or bump, is a skin discoloration caused by trauma to the skin or tissue. These injuries damage blood vessels underneath the skin, causing blood to leak and pool under the skin. As a result, bruises appear. Bruises are quite common due to many causes such as falls, accidents, sports injuries or medical procedures.
In addition, you may bruise more easily if:
Have cancer or liver disease. There is a family history of members who bruise easily. Taking medicine to thin the blood or an anticoagulant , such as aspirin - an anticoagulant or a blood thinner. Regularly use nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to relieve pain, such as ibuprofen (Advil®) or naproxen (Aleve®). Have a bleeding disorder such as hemophilia, Von Willebrand disease, or another clotting disorder. Experiencing a low blood platelet count (thrombocytopenia). Lack of vitamin C or vitamin K.

Many people believe that hot compresses dissolve blood clots. However, it is not always true that hot compresses dissolve bruises, and hot compresses reduce swelling. If applying heat at the wrong time will increase bleeding, edema and bruising more. As discussed above, bruising is often caused by trauma to the blood vessels that cause blood to pool and pool under the skin. If the blood vessel is just injured, the bleeding process is going on, the warm compress will make the blood vessels dilate, so the blood will flow and collect more under the skin, making the injury site bruise and edema more. . The clot-dissolving hot compress should only be done a few days after the injury, ie when the blood has coagulated.

Thus, not having to apply heat is a measure that should be applied immediately after an injury to reduce bruising and swelling. So, how to dissolve bruises on the skin? Usually, bruises go away within 10 days to 2 weeks without treatment. Some severe bruising and hematomas can last a month or longer. However, there are some tips to help bruises dissolve quickly, including:
Get proper rest and elevate the injured area to prevent swelling and help reduce pain. Apply ice: Apply ice for the first 24 to 48 hours after the injury. The purpose of ice is to constrict the blood vessels and slow blood flow to the injured area, thereby reducing bruising. Ice also helps reduce swelling and relieve pain. A safe way to apply cold is to give ice and a plastic bag is to wrap it with a clean towel. Note that ice should never be applied directly to the skin. Apply ice for no more than 15 minutes at a time, repeat a few times for the first day or two. If bruising is in the eye area, be careful not to press on the eyeball and use a clean towel to prevent eye infection. If you don't have ice cubes, you can use an ice pack or cold towel but avoid frozen raw meat or any frozen food as bacteria can get in and cause an infection. Apply a warm compress: After two or three days, you can apply heat to promote blood circulation in the healthy blood vessels around the bruise. Try to apply it for 15 minutes three times a day. At this time, the hot compress dissolves the bruise faster. However, applying heat too soon can have the opposite effect. With the view that hot compresses reduce swelling and hot compresses dissolve bruises, many people apply warm compresses or apply hot oil to the injury. However, keep in mind that applying heat as well as taking a hot bath within the first two or three days after a bruise can cause more bleeding and swelling because the heat compresses the blood vessels. Use of medication: In some cases of severe injury and severe bruising, you may need additional pain relievers such as paracetamol. Diet: Following a diet with foods rich in healthy vitamins and minerals helps the body heal itself faster. For example, add fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C such as guava, orange, lemon, etc. Drink lots of water: keeping the body hydrated with water or herbal teas also helps strengthen the immune system. therefore, helps to dissolve bruises better. Quitting smoking is because smoking slows down the healing process of the skin and body. Thus, when you have an injury that causes a hematoma, at first, you should apply a cold compress first for two to three days, and then you can apply a hot compress to dissolve the clot to promote blood circulation and heal the wound. wounds and remove bruises.