Getting a black eye can be embarrassing and uncomfortable. But don’t worry, there’s plenty you can do to reduce swelling and help speed up the healing process. In this guide, we’ll break down the steps you need to take in order to treat a black eye quickly and effectively.
Ice Packs and Compresses – The first step in treating a black eye is applying an ice pack or compress as soon as possible after the injury. This helps limit swelling by constricting blood vessels and providing an anti-inflammatory effect. For best results, hold an ice pack over your affected eye for 15 minutes at a time every two hours while you’re awake. Make sure the pack is wrapped in a light cloth or towel so that it doesn’t come into direct contact with your skin, which could cause frostbite.
Elevate Your Head – It’s also important to keep your head elevated if you have a black eye. This will help drain any excess fluid from your face and reduce pressure on the area around your eyes. To get optimum results from this treatment, lie down with your head elevated on two or more pillows for at least 30 minutes every few hours throughout the day.
Medication for Pain Relief – You may need medication to treat pain associated with a black eye if home remedies don’t provide enough relief. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or naproxen are usually recommended because they help reduce inflammation and pain without posing additional risks like stronger opioids may carry. However, always talk to your doctor before taking any over-the-counter medication, especially if you already take other medications or have underlying health conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes.
Get Plenty of Rest – Resting is an important step in helping your body heal itself from any physical damage caused by a black eye. Try to get as much sleep as possible and avoid doing anything strenuous that could further injure yourself and increase the risk of infection around the affected area.
Avoid Alcohol & Smoking – If possible, try to stay away from alcohol and smoking completely while your body heals itself from a black eye injury. Both substances are known to slow down the healing process so it’s best if they’re avoided altogether during this period of time!
Conclusion: All in all, treating a black eye isn’t too complicated if you know what steps to take! Applying ice can help reduce inflammation, taking painkillers will ease any discomfort, getting plenty of rest speeds up recovery time, and avoiding alcohol & smoking helps prevent infection around the affected area which could delay healing even further! For anyone who has recently suffered from a black eye injury, following these steps should help you get back on your feet again soon enough!