Following small domestic or work traumas, sports traumas or simple falls can form on our skin bruises, also known as bruises, bruises or bruises.
In addition to athletes, there are in fact many categories of people in which traumas can occur frequently, for example:
- Children, always on the move and full of energy. Typical falls at home and those in the park (from the swing, the slide, the carousel, the tricycle, etc.), not to mention bumps and grazes.
- Who, man or woman, does any kind of work. We must not fall into the error of thinking that bruises, sprains and falls are more frequent in those who carry out physical work, indeed, it is often those who work indoors – perhaps in an office environment – to get hurt more frequently, due to incorrect procedures or moments of distraction.
- The elderly, very often subject to falls. Statistically, in Italy, about 30% of people over 65 fall at least once within a year (most falls occur at home).
Hematomas result from the accumulation and stagnation of blood in the affected area, a consequence of tissue lesions that unfortunately are often unsightly and even painful.
The first and most common treatment is the use of ice, to be applied immediately after the “blow” on the bruised area that has undergone pressure. Immediately after suffering the trauma, it is good to act quickly to obtain maximum effectiveness: apply ice on the affected area for 10-15 minutes; Then repeat the application every hour for half a day. If the skin does not have grazes, it is possible to use cooling sprays instead of ice.
In the days following the trauma, then, rest and the use of cold compresses are recommended. The cold has vasoconstrictive properties and therefore counteracts the formation of the bruise. We recommend using a small towel wet with very cold water. The cold towel will then be folded and applied to the affected area, until it has warmed up, or until its temperature is identical to that of our body.
Together with cold compresses and rest, however, it is essential to use a skin ointment suitable for the purpose, applied by massage, so as to be well absorbed by the skin and to enter well into depth.
The active ingredients contained in the right cream can:
● Decrease swelling (of the muscles or joints).
● Have a pain-relieving action.
● Have anti-inflammatory properties.
● Facilitate rapid absorption.
A cream for hematomas based on natural substances
In pharmacies you can find all kinds of medicines for the treatment of hematomas and swelling, however chemical-based remedies could have serious contraindications, and would therefore not be indicated in the case of children or adults with hypersensitivity of the skin.
However, there are various products for topical use to treat hematomas and bruises, in the form of emulsion, cream or gel with emollient action, based on completely natural substances, capable of restoring the ordinary skin condition and promoting the degradation of blood clots. They are dressings that reactivate circulation in the affected area and whose effects are similar to those of another natural remedy, red clay.
They are indicated in case of formation of bruises, swellings and sprains (injuries to the joints due to unnatural movements or trauma), contractures (involuntary, insistent and painful contractions affecting one or more skeletal muscles) and strains (painful muscle injuries that alter normal muscle tone) of minor entity. Because they are able to:
● Relieve the itching and pain of our bruise.
● Decrease inflammation.
● Promote complete absorption.
They can contain different natural and moisturizing ingredients, including arnica montana, a medicinal herbaceous plant with a pleasant aromatic smell that gives a feeling of relief and performs an authentic soothing action, thanks to its pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties.
Arnica is useful in case of:
- Distortions. Joint injuries due to unnatural movements or trauma.
- Muscle pain. Suffering at the level of muscle groups (legs, arms, back, shoulders and neck).
- Joint problems. Inflammation (arthritis), progressive degeneration of cartilaginous pads (osteoarthritis) or dislocations.
Other natural remedies with anti-inflammatory abilities often used to promote the healing of the affected area are, for example, active ingredients extracted from horse chestnut (Aesculus Hippocastanum) – a very common tree also in Italy and more generally throughout Europe – which have an action that counteracts capillary fragility, or prevent the rupture of blood vessels, especially in the legs (in the presence of a skin bruise, stabilize capillaries).
Finally, some natural active ingredients are useful for the reabsorption of liquids – thanks to their action on blood vessels – and therefore prevent the possible appearance of edema (or an accumulation of liquids in the affected area).
Creams suitable for everyone
Topical products based on natural extracts can generally also be used in children, pregnant or breastfeeding, although in these conditions and in young children it is always better to consult the package insert and first seek advice from the attending physician.
They can also be used for:
● Joint pain. Inflammation (arthritis), progressive degeneration of cartilaginous pads (osteoarthritis), and dislocations.
● Muscle fatigue, a physiological reaction to an overload of work of the musculoskeletal system.
● Back pain, one of the most common painful diseases in the world.
● Leg pain, this condition of suffering also affects many people (and can arise from the most varied causes).
● Foot pain (perhaps due to the use of wrong footwear).
They are not suitable in case of blood leakage, erythema (skin irritations that afflict the outer layers of the skin, a typical example is sunburn, a sunburn due to excessive exposure to the sun), sunburn or hemorrhoids.
How to apply creams on hematomas (and not only)
The application of remedies for bruises takes place by massaging the area where the bruising is located: it is necessary to spread the cream well and at the same time massage the affected area, to allow complete absorption. Gel compositions are generally more practical because they leave no residue on the hands and skin and can be easily applied all over the body.
To promote the resorption of the typical bluish spots (bruises), the advice is to keep the affected area at a lower temperature than the rest of the body, through the use of cold compresses. You can apply some clean bandages previously soaked in very cold water. Keep the cold compress applied until the bandages have warmed up, reaching the same temperature as your body. The cold compress will have the objective of promoting vasoconstriction, will facilitate heat dispersion and decrease capillary permeability.
Natural components provide relief and do not cause irritation. They can also be applied to children or allergic adults, constitutionally much more delicate and sensitive to drugs, chemicals or substances that are too aggressive for them.
Do they also help in other cases?
Yes. Some natural active ingredients are not only useful for the treatment of hematomas, but also help in case of:
● Swollen legs.
In these particular cases, the advice is to spread the product well on the tired areas favoring its rapid absorption.
Joycelyn Elders is the author and creator of EmpowerEssence, a health and wellness blog. Elders is a respected public health advocate and pediatrician dedicated to promoting general health and well-being.
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