

And if you have topical vitamin C oil, you can also apply that to the skin around the eye. Vij recommends taking it orally within the first day or two of the injury. There are also signs that vitamin C might help clots break down as a bruise heals.įor the best chance of success with vitamin C, Dr. Some research suggests it can help blood clot, which helps reduce the amount of bruising and swelling. Like arnica, vitamin C is available over the counter in both oral and topical forms. Overall, he suggests avoiding arnica in this case to avoid any complications. Vij says it’s an open question whether arnica might interact with those medications. “A lot of the gel formulas have other ingredients that can be irritating,” he adds. Just be careful not to get it in your eyes. Some people also find that it helps to put topical arnica gel on bruised skin to speed up healing. But some studies have found that when people took oral arnica before cosmetic surgeries like nose jobs, it reduced the extent of their bruising. Doctors aren’t totally sure how it works, Dr. There’s some evidence that this herb - available over the counter - may help bruises heal. But there are some treatments that might help it fade. There’s no magic trick to make a black eye vanish.

Your eye will probably do a rainbow impression as it heals, passing from purple and blue to green and yellow before finally fading away.Ĭall your doctor if you notice signs that things are getting worse, not better, after the first few days. After that, it can take around two weeks for the swelling and bruising to go away. Swelling typically peaks two days after the injury, so don’t be surprised if you wake up looking worse the next day. “Sitting in a recliner or using some extra pillows when you sleep helps gravity work to reduce swelling,” Dr. Keep your head up (at least for the first day or two). That helps fluid drain, decreasing puffiness. After that, applying warm compresses can help open blood vessels. Go the cold route for the first two days. (The 20 minutes off is important - constant cold exposure can damage the skin.) “Apply a cold compress, 20 minutes on, then 20 minutes off,” he says. In the first two days, ice your eye to decrease swelling and stop blood and fluid from pooling. Take it easy for the first day or two after the injury. “Anything you do that gets your heart rate up increases the risk of swelling and bruising,” he says. That means remembering the handy acronym “RICE”: rest, ice, compression and elevation. Treat a black eye like you would a sprained ankle or other soft-tissue injury, says Dr. Bleeding in the white or colored part of the eye.Vij advises seeing a doctor if you have symptoms such as: If you get a shiner, the first thing you should do is assess whether there’s more serious damage under the surface. But they’re also common after facial surgeries and some dental or cosmetic procedures. The vessels leak blood and fluid into the area under the skin, leaving behind a telltale bruise and swelling.īlack eyes can be the aftermath of a physical injury. “But there are some things that may help the bruise fade more quickly.” Black eye basics: When to see a doctorīlack eyes occur when tiny blood vessels around the eye get broken.

“Unfortunately, you’ll have to be patient,” says dermatologist Alok Vij, MD. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center.
