From football to rugby and hockey to skating, it’s the season of contact sports. And while team sports are tons of fun and a great alternative for staying fit, they also involve a lot of contact, which can result in bruising. Bruising happens when blood leaks out of blood vessels or capillaries, and seeps into the surrounding tissue. If you’re concerned about an ugly bruise, here’s how to heal it quickly using known bruise remedies:
1. Ice it. Icing a bruise immediately after impact is a great way to stop its spread because it keeps blood from seeping into the surrounding tissue. Applying a bag of frozen peas to the area for ten minutes at a time is ideal.
2. Eat pineapple. Eating pineapple works to reduce bruising because the fruit contains an enzyme called bromelaine, which helps reduce swelling.
3. Add a warm compress. A warm compress can also help reduce swelling and promote the growth of new cells, which helps a bruise heal faster.
4. Try a natural bruise cream. Consider a natural treatment made with arnica. Zax’s Original Bruise Cream is made with ingredients that naturally speed up the healing process. Tip: When a bruise needs to be covered up, try a concealer. If the bruise is too big, consider a self tanner. The contrast between light and dark skin can make a bad bruise that much more noticeable. That’s why applying self tanner to your entire body can help to make a bruise less obvious. Don't let a bruise slow you down this Fall. Sara Novak is a Natural Health Care Expert for Zax Health. Follow her on Twitter at @sarafnovak.