How long does it take for a black eye to heal. What are effective home remedies for treating a black eye. When should you seek medical attention for a black eye. How can you reduce swelling and pain from a black eye.

Understanding Black Eyes: Causes and Symptoms

A black eye, medically known as periorbital hematoma, is a common injury characterized by bruising and swelling around the eye area. It typically occurs when blood pools under the skin following a blow to the face or head. While often associated with physical altercations, black eyes can result from various incidents, including accidents, sports injuries, or even certain medical procedures.

The distinctive dark coloration of a black eye is due to the rupture of small blood vessels beneath the skin. As blood accumulates in the surrounding tissues, it creates the characteristic bruised appearance. The severity of a black eye can range from mild discoloration to significant swelling and pain.

Common Causes of Black Eyes

• Direct impact to the face or eye area
• Falls or accidents
• Sports-related injuries
• Facial surgeries
• Sinus infections (in rare cases)

Are all black eyes caused by trauma? While most black eyes result from physical impact, some medical conditions can cause similar symptoms. Allergic reactions, sinus infections, or certain types of headaches may lead to periorbital discoloration resembling a black eye.

The Healing Process: Stages and Timeline

The recovery time for a black eye can vary depending on the severity of the injury and individual factors. Generally, a typical black eye will heal within 2 to 3 weeks. Understanding the stages of healing can help you track progress and know what to expect during recovery.

Stage 1: Initial Swelling and Discoloration (Days 1-3)

Immediately after the injury, you may experience rapid swelling and pain. The area around the eye will begin to darken, often appearing red or purple. This is the body’s initial response to the trauma as blood accumulates in the tissues.

Stage 2: Peak Bruising (Days 3-7)

During this stage, the bruise may darken further, potentially appearing blue, purple, or even black. The swelling may persist, but pain should gradually begin to subside.

Stage 3: Color Changes (Days 7-14)

As the body begins to break down and reabsorb the accumulated blood, the bruise will start to change colors. It may transition from dark purple to green, yellow, or brown. This is a positive sign that healing is progressing.

Stage 4: Final Healing (Days 14-21)

In the final stage, the bruise will continue to fade, eventually returning to your normal skin tone. Any remaining swelling should resolve during this period.

Can you speed up the healing process of a black eye? While the body needs time to heal naturally, certain home remedies and care techniques can help support the recovery process and potentially reduce healing time.

Effective Home Remedies for Black Eye Treatment

Treating a black eye at home can help alleviate pain, reduce swelling, and support the healing process. Here are some proven remedies you can try:

1. Cold Therapy

Applying cold to the affected area is crucial in the first 24 to 48 hours after the injury. This helps constrict blood vessels, reducing blood flow and minimizing swelling.

• Use an ice pack or bag of frozen vegetables wrapped in a clean cloth
• Apply for 10-20 minutes at a time
• Repeat several times a day

Is it safe to apply ice directly to the skin? Never apply ice directly to your skin or the eye area, as this can cause skin damage. Always use a protective barrier like a cloth or towel.

2. Warm Compresses

After the initial swelling has subsided (usually after 48 hours), warm compresses can help promote circulation and speed up healing.

• Soak a clean washcloth in warm (not hot) water
• Apply gently to the eye area for 10-15 minutes
• Repeat 3-4 times daily

3. Arnica

Arnica, a natural herb, has anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce swelling and bruising. It’s available in gel or cream form and can be applied topically to the surrounding area (avoid direct contact with the eye).

4. Vitamin K Cream

Topical vitamin K cream may help speed up the healing of bruises. Apply a thin layer to the affected area twice daily, following the product instructions.

5. Elevate Your Head

When resting or sleeping, keep your head elevated to help reduce swelling. Use an extra pillow or prop up the head of your bed slightly.

6. Gentle Massage

After the initial swelling has gone down, gentle massage around the eye area can help improve circulation and promote healing. Be very gentle and avoid putting pressure directly on the eye.

Are there any foods that can help heal a black eye? While no specific foods directly heal a black eye, a balanced diet rich in vitamins C, K, and E can support overall healing and skin health.

When to Seek Medical Attention for a Black Eye

While most black eyes can be treated at home, certain symptoms may indicate a more serious injury requiring medical evaluation. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following:

• Vision changes, including blurred or double vision
• Severe pain that doesn’t improve with home treatment
• Blood visible in the white part of the eye
• Inability to move the eye or open it fully
• Clear fluid draining from the nose or ears
• Persistent headache or dizziness
• Loss of consciousness at the time of injury
• Signs of infection, such as fever or increasing redness

Why is it important to monitor for these symptoms? These signs could indicate more severe injuries, such as orbital fractures, concussions, or damage to the eye itself, which require prompt medical evaluation and treatment.

Preventing Black Eyes: Safety Measures and Precautions

While not all black eyes are preventable, taking certain precautions can reduce your risk of facial injuries:

1. Wear Protective Gear

When participating in sports or activities with a risk of facial injury, always wear appropriate protective equipment such as helmets, face shields, or goggles.

2. Childproof Your Home

If you have young children, take steps to secure furniture, cover sharp corners, and remove tripping hazards to prevent accidental falls and impacts.

3. Practice Safe Driving

Always wear a seatbelt and ensure airbags are functioning properly to minimize injury risk in case of a car accident.

4. Be Mindful of Your Surroundings

Pay attention to your environment to avoid walking into objects or tripping, especially in unfamiliar or poorly lit areas.

5. Address Vision Problems

If you have poor vision or balance issues, address these with your healthcare provider to reduce the risk of accidents.

Can lifestyle changes help prevent black eyes? While some injuries are unavoidable, maintaining good overall health, staying physically active, and improving balance can reduce your risk of accidents that might lead to a black eye.

Cosmetic Concerns: Concealing a Black Eye

While healing, you may want to conceal your black eye for social or professional reasons. Here are some tips for safely covering up a black eye:

1. Wait for Initial Healing

Avoid applying makeup to a fresh injury. Wait until any open cuts have healed and initial swelling has subsided.

2. Use Color Correctors

Depending on the stage of healing, use color-correcting concealers to neutralize the bruise color:

• Green concealer for red or purple bruises
• Yellow concealer for blue or purple tones
• Peach or orange concealer for green or yellow bruises

3. Apply Foundation

After color correction, apply a full-coverage foundation that matches your skin tone. Set with a light dusting of translucent powder.

4. Be Gentle

Use light, patting motions when applying makeup to avoid irritating the delicate skin around the eye.

5. Remove Carefully

Use a gentle, oil-based makeup remover to thoroughly cleanse the area at the end of the day.

Is it safe to use makeup on a healing black eye? While it’s generally safe to use makeup once the initial swelling has subsided and any cuts have healed, always prioritize the healing process over cosmetic concerns. If you experience any irritation, discontinue use immediately.

Long-Term Effects and Complications of Black Eyes

In most cases, black eyes heal completely without long-term effects. However, in rare instances, complications can occur:

1. Persistent Discoloration

In some cases, a faint discoloration may persist for several months after the initial injury. This usually resolves on its own over time.

2. Hyphema

A hyphema occurs when blood accumulates in the front chamber of the eye. This condition requires immediate medical attention to prevent vision loss.

3. Traumatic Iritis

Inflammation of the iris can occur following eye trauma. Symptoms include light sensitivity, pain, and redness.

4. Orbital Fracture

In severe cases, the bones surrounding the eye may be fractured. This requires medical evaluation and possibly surgical intervention.

5. Retinal Detachment

Although rare, the force that causes a black eye could potentially lead to retinal detachment, a serious condition that can cause vision loss if not promptly treated.

Can a black eye cause permanent damage to vision? While most black eyes do not result in permanent damage, any injury to the eye area should be taken seriously. Prompt medical attention for severe symptoms can help prevent long-term complications.

In conclusion, while black eyes can be unsightly and uncomfortable, they typically heal well with proper care and patience. By understanding the healing process, implementing effective home remedies, and knowing when to seek medical attention, you can ensure the best possible recovery from this common injury. Remember, each person’s healing process may vary, so always listen to your body and consult with a healthcare professional if you have any concerns about your recovery.

Black eye – NHS

A black eye is bruising and swelling around your eye, usually caused by a blow to the area, such as a punch or fall. It should get better within 2 to 3 weeks.

How to ease a black eye yourself

Do

• gently hold an ice pack (or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a cloth) to the area around your eye for about 10 to 20 minutes at a time, and repeat regularly during the first 1 to 2 days

• take painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen for any pain

• after the first 2 days, gently apply a warm (not hot) heat pack or cloth to the area around your eye regularly during the day

Don’t

• do not take aspirin, unless prescribed by a doctor, as this can make the bruising worse

• do not press or rub the area around your eye

• do not put ice directly on your skin

Urgent advice: Ask for an urgent GP appointment or call 111 if:

• you have severe pain or swelling
• you have a headache that does not go away, or blurry vision
• the area around your eye is warm or leaking pus
• your temperature is very high, or you feel hot and shivery
• you’re taking blood-thinning medicine (such as warfarin)
• you have a bleeding disorder (such as haemophilia)

Non-urgent advice: See a GP if:

• the black eye does not go away within 3 weeks

Urgent advice: Go to A&E if:

• there’s blood visible in your eye
• you have an irregularly shaped pupil (the black dot at the centre of the eye)
• you had a blow to the head and have bruising around both eyes
• you have problems with your vision, such as double vision, loss of vision, seeing flashing light, halos or shadows, or pain when looking at a bright light
• you cannot move your eye

Page last reviewed: 26 October 2020
Next review due: 26 October 2023

Home Remedies for Black Eyes, Plus How Long They Take to Heal

We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission Here’s our process.

Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind.

Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we:

• Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?
• Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence?
• Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices?

We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness.

Read more about our vetting process.

Was this helpful?

You can help heal a black eye at home with certain remedies, including ice. But if you experience concerning symptoms, such as vision changes, you may need medical attention.

A black eye is a bruise around the eye. It happens when blood pools under the skin in the eye area. Most black eyes occur when something hits the face or head, but they can also develop after facial surgery.

In general, a black eye isn’t serious. However, it could be a sign of a more severe injury, like a skull fracture. It’s crucial to see your doctor if you have vision changes or ongoing pain.

If your black eye was caused by a minor injury, you can treat it with various home remedies. In this article, we’ll explore home remedies for black eyes and the stages of healing.

There are many black eye home remedies, we’ve included some recommended home treatments below. Seek medical attention if these home remedies don’t help.

Ice

Apply ice within the first 24 to 48 hours of your injury. This will slow down blood flow to the area, which reduces how much blood pools under your skin. Ice also decreases swelling and pain.

Here’s how to safely use ice:

1. Place ice cubes in a plastic bag and wrap it with a clean towel. Never put ice directly on your skin.
2. Apply the ice for 10 to 20 minutes. Avoid pressing on your eye.
3. Repeat several times a day for 1 to 2 days.

If you don’t have ice cubes, use an ice pack or cold compress.

Avoid using raw meat, like steak, or any other food. Even if the food is frozen or cold, it can get bacteria in your eye and cause an infection.

Warm compress

After the swelling has gone down in a few days, apply a warm compress. This helps healing and pain by increasing blood flow to the eye area.

To use this remedy, you’ll need a small towel and large bowl.

1. Fold up the towel and place it in the bowl.
2. Fill the bowl with hot, but not boiling, water.
3. Wring out the towel. Fold it into a square.
4. Apply the compress to your eye area for 20 minutes.

Gentle massage

You can also massage your eye area once the swelling has subsided. Like a warm compress, this will support healing by promoting blood flow.

If massaging causes pain, or if you still have swelling, avoid this remedy.

Arnica

Arnica, or mountain tobacco, comes from the plant Arnica montana. It’s believed to have anti-inflammatory properties. For this reason, arnica creams and gels are traditionally used to treat bruises.

Shop for arnica cream online.

Use caution when applying arnica near your eyes

There isn’t enough evidence to prove whether arnica is effective for treating black eyes. More research is needed. In addition, while arnica is safe on the skin, it could cause serious injury if it gets in your eye. Be careful when applying it near your eyes.

Was this helpful?

Comfrey

Comfrey, scientifically known as Symphytum officinale, is another natural remedy. It’s conventionally used to treat injuries like strains, sprains, and bruises.

Like arnica, there isn’t sufficient research on comfrey and bruises. If you’d like to try comfrey cream for a black eye, use caution and follow the directions and make sure it doesn’t get into your eye.

Shop for comfrey cream online.

Vitamin C

Though there isn’t hard evidence, many people claim vitamin C cream can heal a black eye. This might be due to the link between vitamin C deficiency and easy bruising.

More studies are necessary to prove that topical vitamin C can treat a black eye.

Shop for vitamin C cream online.

In a general, a black eye takes about 2 weeks to heal.

It might take more or less time depending on:

• the severity of your injury
• your age
• your overall health
• how you care for your black eye

Here’s what you can do to speed up recovery:

• Elevate your head. When you’re not sleeping, keep your head elevated. This will help blood flow to your heart instead of pooling in your eye area.
• Avoid pressure. When using ice or warm compress, don’t press on your black eye. Be extra gentle when massaging it.
• Rest. Take a break from sports and other activities that pose a risk for eye injuries.

During the healing process, the color of your black eye will change. This means your body is reabsorbing the blood under your skin.

Here’s what the healing stages look like:

• At time of injury. Your eye area will look red as blood pools under your skin.
• Days 1 to 2. The hemoglobin in your blood breaks down, which makes your skin look bluish purple-black. You’ll have a lot of swelling.
• Days 2 to 10. As your body clears old blood, your black eye will gradually turn yellow-greenish. The swelling will get better.
• Days 10 to 14. Your black eye will look yellowish or light brown.
• After day 14. Your black eye will completely fade away.

If your black eye doesn’t heal after 2 weeks, visit your doctor.

You should also see your doctor if you have:

• discoloration that gets worse
• increasing swelling in the eye area
• eye pain or redness
• inability to move your eye
• vision changes, including blurring and double vision
• cheek or teeth numbness
• dizziness
• loss of consciousness
• vomiting
• bleeding from ears or nose
• constant headache
• severe pain

These symptoms might indicate a more serious injury. See your doctor as soon as possible.

Generally, ice is considered the best treatment for black eyes. Once the swelling goes down, you can use a warm compress and gentle massage.

Your black eye should heal after 2 weeks. If these home remedies for black eyes don’t work, or if you have vision changes, seek medical help.

how long does it take, choice of drugs, treatment rules

Bruises under the eyes can appear for various reasons. This may be an injury or pathological processes in the body, a cosmetic defect.

If we talk about the pathological nature of the origin, then to eliminate the defect, you will have to change your lifestyle. And in order to quickly reduce the bruise under the eye, which appeared as a result of an injury, you will have to use special ointments or use folk recipes.

What to do?

Naturally, the way to get rid of bruises depends entirely on the cause of origin. If pathological processes have become the cause of the appearance, then you will have to stop smoking and drinking alcohol. It is the effect of toxins on the body that causes the appearance of blue and swelling under the eyes. The reason can also be improperly selected cosmetics.

But most often this phenomenon occurs due to impact. How long will the bruise under the eye go? The rate of disappearance of the defect depends not only on the use of special means, but also on the area of ​​​​the lesion, and whether the vessels were affected during the bruise. As a rule, a small bruise disappears after 5-7 days after the appearance, and if we are talking about major damage, then even with intensive treatment, the bruise will begin to disappear only after 9days.

Stages

Any hematoma, wherever it is, changes color in the process of disappearance and, in principle, you can always determine when a person was injured. Conventionally, the development of a bruise can be divided into several stages:

1. The red tint is inherent in the first stage, when local bleeding opens. The intensity of the redness depends on the severity of the bruise, and redness appears immediately after the injury.
2. A purple or dark blue hue indicates that oxidative processes have begun. Such changes are inherent in the first day after injury.
3. A greenish tint indicates that 5-6 days have already passed since the bruise. During this period, leukocytes accumulate, which destroy the erythrocytes in hemoglobin, which gives a greenish tint.
4. The yellow color appears due to the production of bilirubin, which promotes the healing of bruises.

How many days will the bruise under the eye go away? In fact, recovery occurs on the ninth day, depending on the severity of the blow. From the seventh day, the bruise becomes less noticeable, and after a couple of days it completely disappears.

. Cool the damaged area under the eye should be during the first 20 minutes after the injury.

Starting from the second day, you need to do warming compresses, which will promote the fastest resorption of hematoma and decay products of damaged vessels.

It is better to visit the emergency room if the reddening of the conjunctiva has begun, headaches have appeared. If the bruise does not go away for a long time, we advise you to read this article: http://fb.ru/article/406281/ne-prohodit-sinyak-pod-glazom-prichinyi-i-sposobyi-lecheniya.

Suitable products

How to apply to a black eye immediately after an injury? To date, there are a number of pharmaceutical preparations that can maximize the healing process of such bruises. It is recommended to use such ointments in the first two days at least once an hour. In this case, there is a high chance that the hematoma will disappear within 2-3 days.

Lyoton ointment

This ointment perfectly relieves puffiness and helps speed up the process of repairing damaged tissues. How long does a bruise under the eye last if Lyoton ointment is used? With moderate and severe injuries, bruises disappear within seven days.

However, apply the product to the affected area at least 2-3 times a day. It is necessary to use the ointment until the hematoma disappears completely. It should be noted that with prolonged use, dry skin, itching and flaking may occur.

If an open wound is present, the product is contraindicated for use. It is forbidden to use Lyoton if the patient has problems with blood clotting or pathologies that cause bleeding. For women who are carrying a child, and there is a risk of abortion, the ointment is not recommended for use. But during lactation, the use of the drug is not prohibited.

Bruise Off Gel

This gel with medicinal leech extract is widely used among athletes who prefer traumatic sports. It helps to improve the process of blood and lymph circulation, relieves the inflammatory process and activates the process of skin regeneration. The tool tones the skin, relieves puffiness.

Bruise Off Gel is recommended for use immediately after injury. As a rule, on the fourth day of use, the bruise becomes almost invisible. It is allowed to apply the gel up to 5 times during the day.

Not recommended for use by individuals with bleeding problems. Do not use the gel during pregnancy and lactation. The product may cause an allergic reaction.

Troxevasin Gel

This product is used for varicose veins, but, in addition, it copes well with swelling and bruising, as it has a resolving effect. The gel is usually used as an additional tool that promotes the resorption of the bruise.

The gel is recommended for use in the morning and evening. During the week, you can even use Troxevasin capsules in the morning and evening. The tool allows you to get rid of even old bruises, but it is not allowed to use it during breastfeeding and childbearing. The presence of open wounds is also an absolute contraindication to use.

Heparin ointment

An old and time-tested remedy for bruises. How long does a bruise under the eye go if you use this ointment? Naturally, everything depends on the complexity of the hematoma, but already on the fifth day of use, the main symptoms of a bruise disappear.

After an injury, it is recommended to apply the ointment every hour, for 2-3 days you can limit yourself to applying every three hours.

The active substance – heparin – has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, promotes the resorption of blood clots. In the process of use, slight redness sometimes occurs.

Other remedies

How long does a black eye last? It is clear that sooner or later the hematoma will pass on its own, but it is still not very pleasant to appear in society in this form, so it is better to purchase a pharmaceutical agent and speed up the process of regeneration of the damage.

Along with the above products, you can use the ointment “Rescuer”. It has a wide spectrum of action, not only helps against insect bites and burns, but also perfectly relieves irritation, swelling and promotes the resorption of hematomas. In addition, the tool can reduce pain.

Traumeel S ointment is another tool that will allow you to eliminate a bruise as quickly as possible. It is recommended to lubricate the damaged area twice a day, until the bruise disappears. However, it is not allowed to apply the product to open wounds and scratches. Ointment can be used even in pediatrics.

Gel “Indovazin” has absorbable and anti-edematous effects, reduces pain at the site of injury.

Folk remedies

How long does a bruise under the eye last if there were no pharmaceuticals at hand? If you use folk remedies, then the regeneration process can also be accelerated.

The easiest way is to use aloe juice. As a rule, this plant is on every window in any home. To prepare the product, you will need to grind one leaf of the plant and mix with a small amount of petroleum jelly. Apply the resulting composition 2-3 times throughout the day. This remedy is even suitable for eliminating bruises that have appeared due to the conduct of an unhealthy lifestyle.

How long does a bruise under the eye last if fresh cabbage is used? This plant will allow you to get rid of the hematoma in just 3-4 days. You will need to pass one leaf of cabbage through a meat grinder and apply the resulting composition to the area around the eye, hold it in the form of a compress for about 20 minutes and rinse. Such a compress should be done about 2-3 times during the day.

Beet compress helps to remove hematomas. How long does a bruise under the eye heal when using this remedy? Literally three days. One medium-sized fruit must be grated, you can add a little aloe juice and leave to brew for two hours. After that, gauze fragments are soaked in the resulting composition and applied for 20 minutes in the form of a compress to the injured area near the eye. The procedure is recommended to be done every two hours.

As a rule, hematomas around the eye very rarely lead to serious consequences, but if other symptoms appear in the form of reddening of the conjunctiva, decreased visual acuity, then it is better to seek qualified help from an ophthalmologist.

Subscribe to our ZEN channel! Only personal news collections in the new digital space!

How to remove a bruise under the eye

Scars adorn men – a common expression that refers to bruises, especially around the eyes, with a big stretch, the desire to get rid of such decoration is understandable.

Hematomas on the skin do not adorn anyone. They not only do not look aesthetically pleasing, but cause discomfort, pain. If a bruise appears on an area that cannot be hidden under clothing, you want to deal with the problem as quickly as possible. In such situations, pharmaceutical preparations and time-tested alternative medicines that relieve periorbital hematoma will help speed up healing.

Black eye: causes

Risk factors include various surgical interventions, among which the following can be noted:

• eye cosmetic surgery,
• participation in a brawl,
• fall during sports training.

Injury can be obtained as a result of manipulations by a dental surgeon and similar actions.
The blood vessels located in the subcutaneous tissue and in the skin are extremely thin. With bruises, bumps, falls, their walls are torn. Leaked blood fills the subcutaneous tissue, cavities, surrounding tissues. As a result of mechanical influences, a spot of a purple-cyanotic hue is formed, gradually changing its color.

The hematoma will take up to two weeks to heal. If you act quickly, it is really possible to remove the bruise under the eye in three to four days. In some cases, it is accompanied by reddening of the sclera: subconjunctival hemorrhage, which disappears after a few weeks on its own.

How to remove a bruise on the face in a short time?

In comparison with other parts of the body, a bruise under the eye forms much faster. The reason is that the periorbital region is permeated with a huge number of blood vessels, surrounded by loose subcutaneous tissue. She quickly absorbs blood, swells.

Emergency care after injury comes down to cooling the injury site with a compress, ice, frozen foods. Use cold, narrowing blood vessels, reducing swelling, should be as early as possible.

During the first day, compresses are applied every hour for 15-20 minutes. This will eliminate the swelling, reduce the size, remove the bruise. Pain is easily relieved by taking paracetamol. The next day after the injury, doctors recommend switching to warm (not hot!) Compresses to stimulate blood flow in the tissues.

There are no miraculous recipes to instantly remove a bruise under the eye. However, by following these tips, you can significantly speed up the healing process:

Light massage near the lower, upper eyelids. It should be done within a few days of the injury. Massage activates the lymphatic system, speeds up healing.

• Introduction to the diet of pineapple, citrus fruits. Tropical fruits contain a spectrum of enzymes that reduce inflammation.

• Course intake of vitamin C. It accelerates healing, removes hematomas due to the strengthening of the walls of blood vessels.
• The use of blueberries, blueberries. Berries contain a powerful antioxidant that reduces bruising by enhancing the effectiveness of vitamin C.

• Askorutin. The medicine helps to strengthen the vascular wall, it is worth taking only on the recommendation of a doctor.