Easy Bruising

Related Terms

BruisingContusionsEcchymosesHematomas

Easy bruising means minor bumps or injuries cause the skin to turn blue or yellow. The bruises can also be painful and raised. Ice packs can help ease bruising. Bruising often gets better on its own. Natural therapies have not been used to treat bruises.

Natural Therapies

May Not Be Effective

  • Arnica may not ease bruising.A1, A4

Not Enough Data to Assess

  • Hydrogen peroxide B1
  • Nutritional supplements A2
  • Vitamin K oxide A3
  • Zingiber cassumunar A5

Editorial process and description of evidence categories can be found at EBSCO NAT Editorial Process.

Herbs and Supplements to Be Used With Caution

Talk to your doctor about all herbs or pills you are taking. Some may get in the way of your treatment or other health problems you may have.

 

References

Herbs and Supplements

A1. Stevinson C, Devaraj VS, et al. Homeopathic arnica for prevention of pain and bruising: randomized placebo-controlled trial in hand surgery. J R Soc Med. 2003 Feb;96(2):60-65.

A2. Brown SA, Coimbra M, et al. Oral nutritional supplementation accelerates skin wound healing: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-arm, crossover study. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2004 Jul;114(1):237-244.

A3. Cohen JL, Bhatia AC. The role of topical vitamin K oxide gel in the resolution of postprocedural purpura. J Drugs Dermatol. 2009 Nov;8(11):1020-1024.

A4. Leu S, Havey J, et al. Accelerated resolution of laser-induced bruising with topical 20% arnica: a rater-blinded randomized controlled trial. Br J Dermatol. 2010 Sep;163(3):557-563.

A5. Chongmelaxme B, Sruamsiri R, et al. Clinical effects of Zingiber cassumunar (Plai): A systematic review. Complement Ther Med. 2017 Dec;35:70-77.

B. Other Therapies

B1. Mayo TT, Khan F, et al. Comparative study on bruise reduction treatments after bruise induction using the pulsed dye laser. Dermatol Surg. 2013 Oct;39(10):1459-1464.

Last reviewed February 2020 by EBSCO NAT Review Board Eric Hurwitz, DC