In addition to aesthetic discomfort, hematomas are characterized by pain and worsen the quality of life. That is why there is a desire to get rid of them as quickly as possible, and not wait several days for the bruise to resolve naturally. A properly chosen anti-bruise ointment will help remove the hematoma in a short time.
Objectives and types of drugs
Today, you can buy ointment for bruises with different pharmacological effects. But at the same time, all funds are aimed at solving the following problems:
- Dissolution of blood clots in the damaged area.
- Relieving swelling and inflammation.
- Reducing pain.
- Restoration of damaged tissues.
Ointments for bruises can be classified according to their effects as follows:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. When used, pain is reduced, swelling is relieved and inflammation is stopped.
- Decongestant and absorbable. With them, it is possible to slow down the development of edema and reduce pain by relaxing the smooth muscles of the blood vessels. In addition, the products help restore venous circulation.
- Cooling. They contain substances that irritate the nerve endings in the damaged area, resulting in a local analgesic effect. Also, such drugs increase blood flow and have anti-inflammatory properties. Against this background, metabolic processes intensify, which accelerates the restoration of damaged tissues.
Manufacturers also produce combination drugs that have the ability to have all of the above effects. This allows you to relieve pain and stop inflammation, which allows you to remove bruises in the shortest possible time.
Symptoms and consequences of bruises
The most characteristic symptoms of a bruise are pain, swelling and bruising. The intensity of their manifestation depends on the degree of damage to soft tissues as a result of injury. They range from minor scrapes to bruising and swelling that can cover a large area of a limb, such as the thigh, calf or forearm.
A bruise - or more correctly, a hematoma - is an accumulation of blood at the site of a bruise caused by damage to the blood vessels, which manifests itself 2-3 days after the injury. Over time, the bruise changes color from blue to black or yellow, this is due to the processes of breakdown of blood elements. Edema or swelling at the site of injury occurs due to hemorrhage and the development of an inflammatory reaction. The stronger the hematoma and swelling, the stronger the pain. This occurs due to stretching of soft tissues and compression of nerve endings.
Heparin ointment
An effective remedy for bruises is heparin ointment. When using it, it is possible to remove the hematoma in the shortest possible time. The product is produced on the basis of petroleum jelly, which guarantees ease of application to the damaged area of the skin.
The active ingredient in the drug is sodium heparin. The substance belongs to the group of anticoagulants. It improves blood microcirculation in damaged tissues and promotes the resorption of hematomas. In addition, sodium heparin has anti-edematous and anti-inflammatory effects.
Other active ingredients in the ointment:
- Benzocaine. It belongs to the group of anesthetics and provides the product with analgesic properties.
- Benzyl nicotinate. This is an extract of nicotinic acid. The component improves the penetration of heparin deep into the skin.
Heparin ointment is recommended to be applied 2-4 times a day in a thin layer to the damaged area if there are no open wounds or scratches. Duration of treatment is up to 5 days. Heparin ointment is approved for use in children from 12 months.
Side effects
This drug has established itself as the safest and one of the most effective anticoagulants used to eliminate the consequences of bruises and pathological conditions that provoke the formation of blood clots.
However, it should be remembered that the components of the drug in some cases cause side effects and complications. Among them are:
- possible increased bleeding under the skin observed in patients with thrombocytopenia and other blood disorders;
- possibility of local allergic reactions;
- itching, increased swelling;
- hives;
- skin infection;
- Infection of broken skin from open wounds, scratches or cuts.
Hives are one of the possible side effects of heparin bruise ointment.
The appearance of symptoms indicating an undesirable reaction of the body is an indication for discontinuation of the drug.
Compliance with the recommendations contained in the instructions for use of Heparin ointment minimizes the likelihood of side effects and complications.
The drug is available in pharmacies without a prescription, but you should consult your doctor before using it.
Products based on comfrey and badyagi
Preparations based on hematomas based on comfrey root and freshwater sponge badyagi have good resorption properties. Such products are presented by manufacturers in a huge variety. You can buy them at the pharmacy at an affordable price.
The effectiveness of comfrey root, which is also known as larkspur, against bruises has long been known. The plant was dried and crushed, and after that infusions were prepared, which were applied to bruises in the form of compresses. Ointments, gels and balms based on larkspur are presented in pharmacies in a wide range of multi-component formulations. Any remedy for bruises can quickly reduce swelling. The drugs have an analgesic effect and promote tissue restoration. Their peculiarity is the absence of contraindications.
The skeleton of the freshwater sponge badyaga consists of silicon oxide. The product is crushed and a powder is obtained, consisting of microscopic needles of silicon oxide. It is the basis of an ointment, which, when applied to damaged skin, has a local irritating effect. This allows you to increase blood circulation and speed up the processes of healing and tissue regeneration. When using it, it is important to exclude individual intolerance to the active substance.
Mani based on comfrey and badyagi is applied to damaged areas 3-4 times a day. It is not recommended to use the products during pregnancy and lactation, as well as before reaching the age of 12 years.
Contraindications
The relatively small number of side effects does not exclude contraindications to the use of this drug. From them:
- predisposition to the occurrence of allergic symptoms;
- pregnancy and lactation;
- Blood clotting disorders and other pathologies in the hematopoietic system (anemia, thrombocytopenia);
- Increased skin sensitivity, irritation, inflammation;
- open wounds (especially if there is pus);
- low level of platelets in the blood;
- Large bruises;
- Individual intolerance to the components of the drug.
Heparin ointment should not be applied to mucous membranes.
Familiarization with the Instructions, recording indications and contraindications is not a basis for independent use of drugs. The advisability of using Heparin ointment is considered by the doctor, taking into account the degree and consequences of the bruise, as well as the general condition of the patient.
Using ointments for bruises
It is important that if there is a bruise or a hematoma, try to apply ice or a heating pad with cold water to the damaged area. This will prevent the development of severe swelling. Only after this is it recommended to use anti-bruise products.
On the first day after injury, it is better to use ointments containing heparin. The drugs increase the speed of blood flow, thin the blood and prevent the expansion of the hematoma.
If there is pain, you can apply an ointment containing non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to the damaged area. The most well-known drugs are diclofenac and ibuprofen. They can be applied to the damaged area a couple of hours after injury.
In the future, to speed up the resorption of the bruise, you need to use ointments based on badyagi or comfrey. You can also use other ointments with a warming effect to increase blood circulation. They often contain snake and bee venom.
With proper and timely treatment of bruises, the occurrence of large hematomas can be prevented. But if bruises do appear, it is necessary to use special ointments to speed up their resorption and tissue restoration. When you cannot get rid of hematomas on your own, and the bruises increase in size, you should urgently consult a doctor.
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What are the dangers of spontaneous bruises that form seemingly for no reason?
Did you unsuccessfully go around the corner of a table or fireplace? Have you been honing your waist too much on a hula hoop? And here it is, a bruise - a hematoma. It’s unpleasant, of course, but we know for sure that it will pass. But this is where spontaneous bruises come from, which form seemingly for no reason. They are not the handiwork of an opponent in the boxing ring or the result of a fall from rollerblades or a snowboard. Then what's the matter? It turns out that everything may be much more serious than expected...
Icy blue
“Let’s be clear right away - there are no causeless bruises. However, the reason for their appearance is not always obvious. Meanwhile, any hematoma is a hemorrhage into the skin and subcutaneous tissue, when the thinnest and most vulnerable vessels - capillaries - are damaged. It happens that the integrity of the veins is compromised. And here it is obvious: the larger the vessel, the greater the hemorrhage,” explains the head of the 2nd Department of Internal Medicine of BSMU, Professor Nikolai Soroka. — One of the most common causes of bruising is Henoch-Schönlein disease (the old name is hemorrhagic vasculitis). The disease leads to fragility of blood vessels, which causes bruising on the legs, abdomen, and back. For example, in children the cause of this is a viral infection and taking medications. If you catch a sore throat or ARVI, take antipyretics and antibiotics, and after 1 - 2 days the body is covered with pinpoint bruises. It is difficult to say what was the root cause of their appearance, an infection or the effect of drugs.”
A violation of the blood coagulation system is another serious reason for spontaneous bruises. A classic example: hemophilia is an incurable hereditary disease. A slight blow or compression - hematoma bruises instantly appear on the skin. Even more alarming is the threat of hemorrhages in internal organs.
This is what the doctor ordered
Large, diffuse bruises can occur in people who are prescribed anticoagulants, blood thinners. Including the well-known warfarin and even aspirin. “It has long been recommended to prevent the development of thrombosis, heart attacks and strokes. However, today doctors refuse to widely prescribe this drug as a method of primary prevention of cardiovascular diseases, clarifies Nikolai Fedorovich. — Studies were conducted in Europe involving 10 thousand patients. The result confirmed: if a person has not suffered a vascular accident, but takes aspirin for prevention, this does not affect the risk of stroke or heart attack. However, it increases the likelihood of bleeding. After all, the drug changes the function of platelets, which provokes hemorrhages.”
That’s why today doctors are much stricter about such prescriptions. Using aspirin more often as secondary prevention. This means it is effective for people who have had a myocardial infarction or who already have angina or heart rhythm disturbances. In a word, taking aspirin just in case is risky and unjustified. By the way, not only this drug can cause sudden hemorrhages, but also other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that are taken to get rid of headaches and noticeable discomfort in the joints and spine.
Blood Interest
The function of blood cells - platelets - is extremely important. During a wound - domestic or combat - these assistants help the formation of a microthrombus, which prevents the body from losing a lot of blood. When there are not enough platelets (their norm is 150 - 350 thousand per microliter of blood; a figure of less than 100 is considered a problem; when it is even lower - less than 70, this is regarded as a clear threat to health), there is a danger of damage to blood vessels and hemorrhages. This condition is called thrombocytopenia.
It happens that, given the quantitative norm, platelets “unfairly” fulfill their obligations. This happens, as already noted, with unjustified use of aspirin. Hence the microcirculatory bruises. They look like multiple small hemorrhages up to 1 - 3 mm. They usually appear on the front of the shin, on the flexor surfaces of the knee and elbow joints, and sometimes on the buttocks.
Nikolai Soroka
Alert
The appearance of small pinpoint bruises on the skin is associated with disruption of the liver, where blood coagulation factors are formed. In cirrhosis and hepatitis, this function is impaired. This is the root of evil - the true reason for the appearance of bruises even with pressure and touching the skin. Moreover, such hematomas do not disappear for a long time. A blood test for liver enzymes helps clarify the situation.
When pinpoint bruises suddenly appear on the skin of the legs in older people, doctors prescribe an examination for cancer. After all, this is often one of the first symptoms of lung cancer.
There is a reason
The diagnosis of varicose veins already means a considerable probability of hemorrhages. After all, blood pressure in the veins increases! Hence the hematomas without injuries or bruises. Varicose veins should not be taken lightly. During a consultation with a phlebologist, you can decide on a treatment plan, from professionally selected compression stockings to surgical intervention.
Finally, a banal lack of vitamins C and P in the body again gives rise to bruising. Since a deficiency of ascorbic acid inhibits the synthesis of connective tissue collagen, which prevents the vessels from remaining elastic and not being injured. When the vitamin deficiency is replenished, the blood vessels become stronger and their permeability decreases. This means that the risk of hemorrhage is minimal. Therefore, doctors often prescribe ascorutin, which is known to many. This drug is a combination of ascorbic acid and rutin, which specifically acts on the compaction of the vascular wall.
In a word, the causes of sudden bruises can be very different - from vascular inflammation to a malignant tumor. A diagnosis prescribed by a doctor will help you dot all the i’s in this complex issue.
It's time to bloom
Over time, the bruise noticeably changes in appearance, as if it is blooming. This happens under the influence of enzymes that destroy hemoglobin. At first it has a reddish tint, then blue and purple. Later it turns noticeably green, becomes brownish and finally turns yellow. Typically, it takes 10 to 14 days from hemorrhage to resorption of the hematoma.
Action plan
A small hematoma from physical trauma can be easily treated at home using ice, heparin ointment or troxevasin gel. If it is extensive, it must be removed surgically. Otherwise, a large amount of blood - sometimes up to 200 ml - stagnates, which can cause suppuration and an abscess. This happens with hemophilia or an overdose of anticoagulants. For example, warfarin, a drug that is often prescribed after aortic or mitral heart valve replacement.
Author: Alla MARTINKEVICH Soviet Belarus No. 128, July 9, 2015
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Storage conditions
According to the instructions, it is recommended to store the drug at a temperature no higher than 15-16 °. Low temperature, like high temperature, negatively affects the quality of the drug and the activity of its components.
Heparin ointment for bruises should not be stored in the refrigerator or in places exposed to sunlight.
- The refrigerator is not suitable for storing heparin ointment.
- The tube of ointment should not be exposed to sunlight.
- The best option is to keep a first aid kit in a dry and dark place, out of reach of children.
Compliance with these requirements guarantees the preservation of pharmacological properties until the expiration date indicated on the package. This is 3 years.
Description of the properties of the ointment Heparin is not an indication for self-treatment of bruises. It is provided for informational purposes only. Positive dynamics in eliminating the consequences of injuries is achieved with strict adherence to the recommendations of a qualified specialist.
Ointment for bruises and injuries: “Apizartron”
"Apizartron" contains bee venom and auxiliary components. It has a pronounced analgesic effect, helps with sprains and bruises. Used to warm up muscles, including during sports activities. Stimulates blood circulation, eliminates symptoms of neuritis and sciatica, as well as rheumatic joint pathologies.
You can buy the ointment at the pharmacy without presenting a prescription. It can be used by both adults and children over 12 years of age (over 6 - with caution). It is not allowed to use during any trimester of pregnancy and during breastfeeding.
If you have an individual intolerance to bee venom, a number of allergic reactions may occur, including redness, swelling, itching and rash. In these cases, it is necessary to replace the drug.
