Whenever there is a sharp blow to the body, capillaries (the little blood vessels by the skin’s surface) may break causing the blood to leak into the surrounding tissues and collect at the affected area. The result of such a scenario is blood leaking into the top layer of skin, resulting in the affected area becoming purple in color. When this occurs around the eye, this becomes known as a black eye. This bruising is also known as a contusion.

A black eye may result from a number of happenings including a punch to the eye area of the face or a sporting accident to name a few. A black eye is not a very attractive feature on anyone to say the least and is either avoided from the get go. Because a black eye, as the name suggests, shows very prominently on the face, whenever there is an incident of some kind and a black eye is the result, desperate attempts are made at reducing the ugly effects. This is true for both men and women.

TOOLS REQUIRED

  • Acetaminophen
  • Cold compresses (a cold compress gel, a bag of frozen peas or ice)
  • A small to medium sized rag or a small towel
  • Warm compresses

MATERIALS REQUIRED

  • A sharp blow to face resulting in a black eye
  • Vitamin C

INSTRUCTIONS

  • The first step in treating a black eye is to take measures to control the swelling and subsequently the pain. This can be done by applying something cooling to the site of the damage. Any of the following may be applied to the black eye to help control swelling and pain.
    • Ice wrapped in a towel
    • A cold compress gel (this is usually stored in the freezer for such an occasion)
    • A bag of frozen peas
  • The cold compress (any of the three options listed above) should be held for at least ten minutes (10 min.) against the affected area and ten (10) to fifteen (15) minutes off it. The ice when being applied against the eyelids should be done so with the help of a rag or towel to avoid causing further damage. The compress gel for example is better pressed against the cheek (below the eye) for the same reason. This routine should be on going for the next day or two.
  • To treat the inflammation that may result from the black eye, it is recommended that one uses Acetaminophen. This can be had at local pharmacies. Additionally, aspirin should be avoided at all costs as it thins the blood and results in the opposite desired effect.
  • Along with the direct treatment of the black eye, persons should, for the next five (5) days, increase their daily dosage of Vitamin C as this helps to speed the healing of the bruising.

TIPS AND WARNINGS

  • Persons should avoid sneezing as much as possible as this could inadvertently result in increased pain in and around the damaged area as well as an infection of the sinuses. The later could result if there are unknown minor fractures resulting from the black eye and air being ejected from the sinuses into these cracks through sneezing.
  • Black eyes generally last for about a week and during this time the eye may go through many visible changes as it undergoes treatment. These include (but are not limited to) bleeding, increased sensitivity, redness, drainage and changes in vision (such as becoming blurry).
  • Although a black eye is generally not very serious, persons who have experienced a sharp blow to the eye region so as to result in a black eye should see a doctor who may recommend an X-Ray to rule out possible fractures and further see to the best treatment of the eye.

Lilly is free lancer content builder writes for many sites or magazines now she is writes on beauty tips as well as beauty disease like black eyes, cellulite, garlic breath etc.