Black Eye

Black eye is a bruise that develops around the eye, usually as a result of a direct blow to the eye or sometimes with other facial injuries. As the skin around the eyes is delicate it is easily bruised. Swelling, tenderness, and bleeding under the skin usually develop shortly after the injury. Later, the eyelids and surrounding area turn bluish black, and gradually fade to purple and then yellow as the bruise heals. Mostly black eyes disappear within 10-15 days.

Black Eye Symptoms

• Swelling, tenderness, and bleeding under the skin usually develop shortly after the injury to the eye.
• Eyelids and surrounding area turn bluish black, and gradually fade to purple and then yellow as the bruise heals.

Home Remedies for Black Eye

• Ice pack: Gently apply an ice pack or cold cloth to the black eye as soon as possible to reduce swelling and bleeding under the skin for 5-10 minutes (without applying direct pressure to the eye). Reapply up to 6-8 times a day for the first 24-48 hrs after injury.
• Warm compress: Apply a warm compress after the swelling goes down which may help to relieve pain.
• Arnica gel: Apply arnica gel twice a day to the injured area twice a day. It stimulates the circulation, relieve pain and ease swelling. Do not apply arnica to cut or broken skin.

Do’s for Black Eye

• Keep your head raised on pillows at night to reduce the swelling.
• Take adequate rest.
• Include foods such as green, leafy vegetables, apples, and citrus fruits rich in vitamin C that will help blood capillaries heal quickly.
• Take brightly colored foods such as peppers, berries, and carrots that contain bioflavonoids which help to heal all kinds of bruises.
• Consume salmon, walnuts and flaxseeds to help reabsorb the blood from bruises reducing inflammation.

Don’ts for Black Eye

• Don’t blow your nose hard as it increases blood flow to the face and makes swelling around the eye worse.
• Avoid contact sports until the eye has healed.
• Avoid sugars, refined carbohydrates, hydrogenated oils and trans fatty acids found in fried foods and junk foods as they interfere with the healing process and promote inflammation.

See Doctor

• Are not certain about the black eye cause or are concern anyway about the condition of eye.
• Black eye is not healing after a few days, becomes hot and swollen or there is a pus discharge.
• Have persistent pain or headaches.

See doctor immediately if:

• Have blurred or double vision or not able to see clearly.
• Eye or eyelid is injured.
• Have lost consciousness, even for a short time.

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