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Relieving bruises and sprains

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Relieving  bruises  and sprains

A sprain causes pain, swelling and loss of movement of the affected part. There may also be a blue discolouration. This happens because the small blood vessels and fibres in the flesh burst, causing blood to enter the surrounding tissue. 

 According to Dr. Shola Ajayi of Diamond Crest Hospital, “A sprain is due to damage to a ligament, which is usually due to a stretching or awkward movement to a joint, eg a twisted ankle.

“Most bruises form when small blood vessels (capillaries) near the skin's surface are broken by the impact of a blow or injury  often on the arms or legs. When this happens, blood leaks out of the vessels and initially appears as a bright or dark red, purple or black mark. Eventually your body reabsorbs the blood, and the mark disappears,” he explained.

He further stated that a bruise happens when the skin is exposed to such a hard blow that the blood vessels break. Generally, harder blows cause larger bruises.

If you have a sprain, you will also suffer pain. The injured area must be kept still or the bleeding in the tissue will continue more intensely. 

The most important treatment for a sprain is: protection, rest, ice, compression, elevation (PRICE).



Protect the injured part from further injury, eg foot support or insole.



Rest is important to ensure that healing occurs as quickly as possible. You should rest the injured area for at least one or two days, because the bleeding can continue for up to 24 hours. 

If possible, the sprained area should be kept straight  an arm, for example, can be supported in a sling. Try to keep the injured area in the same position while you are sleeping, perhaps by placing a couple of pillows under your sprain. 



Since blood enters the tissues when you have a sprain, the main thing is to limit the bleeding. This can be done by cooling. 

Try the following techniques;

Put ice cubes in a plastic bag, then place over the sprained area.

In an emergency, use frozen vegetables in a bag or use a cloth soaked in frozen water. 

Use custom-made cooling-packets, which are bags containing a special jelly that can be chilled in your freezer. 

In each case, wrap the cold bag in a towel before placing it on the sprain. Always put a piece of fabric between your skin and the coolant, otherwise your skin may get cold damage.

Stop the cooling long before your skin turns white or hard. Contact a doctor if your skin does not regain its usual colour after the process has stopped. 


Usually, the cooling is felt in different ways. This can range from cold to painful, burning and finally numbing. 

Be careful if you are diabetic. To prevent damage to your blood circulation, do not cool an area without consulting your doctor. 



You can also wrap bandages around the damaged area to prevent movement. 

Most people use a pressure bandage at first, followed by tape when the swelling has disappeared. 





Although, the area where the injury occurs may be painful due to inflammation, it has been discovered that inflammation is a necessary part of the healing process. It limits movement to prevent further damage to the joint and also initially helps to repair the damaged tissue. 

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