Causes
Bruises are usually caused by bumping into something
which ruptures
the tiny capillaries under the skin leaving the area darkened.
Some
people bruise more easily than others, and this is indicative
of fragile
capillaries, poor health or an inability to create collagen.
For people
who bruise easily, bruises seem to appear for no apparent
reason. Research
has shown us that the leading cause of frequent bruising is a
deficiency
in one or more nutrients. The elderly, due to their generally
poor diet,
are quite susceptible to having bruises. The remedy is very
simple:
add supplements to your diet. Dieters who have lost a
substantial amount
of weight are also at risk of developing bruises. This is due
to the
fact that they have many capillaries that were needed to
supply blood
to their body, but that body is no longer there, leaving the
capillaries
exposed.
One of the main causes of bruising seems to be a deficiency
in certain
nutrients, primarily vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K,
bioflavonoids,
and zinc. A vitamin C deficiency may be caused by several
factors:
• eating too few fruits and vegetables (remember the problem
sailors used to have centuries ago with scurvy outbreaks on
long voyages?
It was caused by a lack of vitamin C)
• taking drugs which destroys this vitamin
• long-time stress from illness, frustration or depression
• smoking (one cigarette can deplete the body of 25 mg of
vitamin
C)
• frequent emotional outbursts such as anger
• exposure to pollutants, allergens or heavy metals
A deficiency in hesperidin, one of the bioflavonoids
(sometimes called
vitamin P), naturally occurring nutrients usually found in
association
with vitamin C, has been linked with abnormal capillary
weakness. These
bioflavonoids, including hesperidin, Citrin, Rutin, Flavones,
Flavonals,
Calechin and Quercetin, were found to be essential in
correcting the
tendency toward bruising.
Tips
When you bump something, immediately apply a cold compress to
the area
to reduce the swelling.
Supplements
Vitamin C is an antioxidant and is depleted when the
body is
trying to rid itself of pollutants, allergens or drugs. Take 2
grams
the first day, adding one gram daily until 12 grams daily is
reached.
Using unbuffered vitamin C sometimes causes stomach upset at
large doses.
Bioflavonoids, such as rutin and hesperidin, facilitate the
functions
of vitamin C. Take 200-1,000 mg of rutin daily with the
vitamin C. Vitamin
C helps protect against bruising by strengthening capillary
walls.
Vitamin E works synergistically with vitamin C to
repair tissues.
Vitamin K is made in the intestines, but can be
depleted by
antibiotics, which kill the friendly bacteria that synthesize
it. Supplementing
your diet with leafy, green vegetables is a good way to add
this vitamin
to your system. You can also use vitamin K cream which will
help fade
and clear bruises and can help decrease post- surgical
bruising when
used approximately two weeks prior to surgery and after
surgery. It
helps the capillaries heal themselves by sealing the blood
leakage.
Vitamin K also supports the body's ability to reabsorb the
blood in
surrounding tissues, thereby helping fade the bruise and
restoring the
skin to normal color.
Zinc is helpful in maintaining healthy connective
tissue, and
a deficiency can lead to bruising. Take 50-100 mg daily.
However, don't
take doses this high for more than a week or two without
medical supervision,
as it may interfere with absorption of other important
minerals, especially
copper.
Remedies
Folk
Butter Apply butter (not margerine!)
immediately after
getting bruised. Remedy courtesy of Rosie Kinsey, as
learned from
an RN friend in rural Indiana.
Cabbage Macerate and heat some cabbage and apply
to the affected
area.
Calendula Apply a cream or a tincture of calendula
to the bruise.
Mustard Make a poultice of mustard and apply to
the bruise.
It will draw the blood away from the bruise.
• Combine 2 parts of ground mustard seed with one part
set
honey and one part finely chopped onion. Apply to the bruised
area and cover with a bandage. This will relieve the bruise
and swelling.
Onions Make a poultice of roasted onions and apply
to the bruise.
• Cut an onion, dip it in apple cider vinegar and rub on
the bruise as soon after it occurs as possible to prevent
black and
blue marks.
Pepper Applying black pepper oil to the bruise
will also draw
the blood away from it.
Vinegar Make a compress and soak it in vinegar to
alleviate
the bruise and swelling. Avoid getting it in the eyes.
Vitamin C Increased intake of this vitamin has
been shown to
improve resistance to bruising. Take 2 grams the first day,
then add
one gram until your intake is 12 grams daily. Use unbuffered
vitamin
C if regular vitamin C causes stomach upset.
Vitamin K Rub a cream with vitamin K on the bruise
twice a day.
Vitamin K will aid your body in breaking down blood and
reabsorbing
it. The act of rubbing helps speed the process.
Witch hazel A tincture of witch hazel will relieve
swelling
and bruises. Apply as a cool compress.
Zinc Take 50-100 mg daily. However, don't take
doses this high
for more than a week or two without medical supervision, as it
may interfere
with absorption of other important minerals, especially
copper.
Homeopathic
Arnica To alleviate dark, swollen bruises,
apply a gel
containing arnica every three hours to encourage healing. Or,
apply
a tincture or cream to the affected area. Arnica traditionally
has been
used for muscle aches, sprains and bruises. The gel should
improve the
swelling, stiffness and discoloration. Some people have a
reaction to
arnica, so if your skin becomes red, itchy or inflamed,
discontinue
use.
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