Image credit: www.optometry.org
Black eyes, though not life-threatening, can be painful and visually concerning. Understanding how they occur and the steps to treat them is important.
While minor black eye cases can be managed at home, it’s essential to consult a medical professional for severe injuries.
In this article, we’ll guide you through the steps of treating a black eye, ensuring quick relief and effective care.
Immediate First Aid Steps
After receiving a black eye you will want to do some quick first aid to jump-start the healing process and help manage your pain.
Ice Application
Chances are, you’ve seen a movie where a character places a slab of meat on their eye when they injure it. This is a bad idea. You need to cool the area, but not with a juicy steak. That can cause an infection (and is a waste of a good cut of beef).
Applying ice to the affected area in the initial stages can provide numerous benefits. It reduces swelling by constricting blood vessels, numbs the site of the injury, and eases pain.
To ice your black eye:
- Grab some ice. The easiest options are a gel ice pack, bag of frozen vegetables, or ice cubes in a zipper bag or wrapped in a cloth.
- Gently press the ice against the affected area for 15-20 minutes
- Repeat this process multiple times in the first 24 hours after the injury
Pain Management
Managing pain is integral to the healing process. Over-the-counter NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen and naproxen, work well to manage pain and reduce swelling. While acetaminophen will help with pain, it does not lower swelling. You can still take an acetaminophen painkiller, just be aware that your swelling might stay around a while longer.
While taking over-the-counter medications, make sure to follow dosing instructions.
Home Remedies for Black Eyes
After administering the initial round of first aid, you will want to continue to care for your black eye until it heals. Proper care can accelerate healing, prevent a more significant injury, and diminish pain.
Rest
After getting a black eye, it is important to give your eye adequate rest to facilitate healing. Our bodies respond well to rest whenever we have an injury or are sick.
Avoid Dangerous Activities
While you are healing avoid activities that could injure the area further. Eye protection for certain jobs, sports, and activities is always a good idea, but will be even more important while you are healing. If you need to return to work or participate in an activity where your eye could be at risk, make sure to have protective eyewear appropriate for the activity.
Keep Your Head Elevated
While resting or sleeping, keep your head elevated so blood doesn’t pool at the injury site. Swelling and discoloration will go away more quickly if your head is tilted up.
Relaxing on furniture that keeps you upright will help you stay comfortable and aid in healing. When you sleep, use pillows to prop your head up and keep it from being level with the rest of your body.
Warm Compresses
After 24-48 hours your swelling should have gone down. When this happens warm compresses can improve blood circulation, ease discomfort, and promote healing.
To make a warm compress:
- Soak a clean cloth in warm water.
- Gently apply the compress to the eye area for 10-15 minutes.
- Repeat several times throughout the day
Arnica Gel or Cream
Arnica, a natural remedy, is known for its healing properties and ability to reduce bruising. You can use arnica cream in addition to pain relievers, ice, and warm compresses.
Arnica can be found over the counter at pharmacies and many natural grocery stores. Apply arnica only as directed by the label.
Monitor for Complications of Black Eye
Most black eyes will heal themselves without outside medical care. Some black eyes are covering a larger injury and will need medical intervention to heal properly.
When to See a Doctor
When you first get a black eye it might not seem like a big issue. Some people will assume that everything will heal on its own, as most black eyes do, only to realize they need to see a doctor or an optometrist after all.
Consult a medical professional if:
- The swelling doesn’t improve after a few days.
- You experience severe pain or changes in vision.
- You suspect a more serious underlying injury.
Signs of Serious Injury
A black eye can be serious. You need immediate medical attention if your black eye is accompanied by any of the following symptoms:
- Severe pain
- Distorted or blurry vision
- Double vision
- Blood in the eye
- Unconsciousness
- Fever
- Trouble breathing
A doctor will assess and monitor your situation. They may also suggest further intervention, such as draining accumulated blood or seeing an ophthalmologist.
Timeline for Healing a Black Eye
Black eyes generally heal within one to two weeks. However, healing times vary based on factors such as age, overall health, and the severity of the injury.
As you age, bruises take longer to heal no matter where they are on your body. Black eyes on children will typically heal more quickly than the same injury on an older adult.
Certain genetic diseases, blood disorders, or just a lower-than-normal amount of blood platelets can make bruises heal more slowly as well.
A black eye that was the result of a severe injury will likely take longer to heal than one that came from a mild accident.
Gradual Improvement
As days pass, the discoloration will change from deep red and purple to yellow and green, indicating the healing process. Consistent care and patience are key for optimal results.
The good news is that a black eye can feel better before it looks better. You will likely still have some discoloration even after the pain has receded.
Concealing and Makeup Tips
Family photos coming up? If you get a black eye at a time when you really can’t have visible bruising on your face, you can use makeup to cover the bruise.
Covering Up with Makeup
It is safe to use color-correcting concealers and makeup techniques to achieve a natural appearance.
Your day-to-day concealer and foundation might cover your black eye if it isn’t very dark. If your normal makeup doesn’t do the trick, you can use a specialized color-correcting palette. Both drugstore and high-end makeup brands sell them.
There are many tutorials on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok that can walk you through covering up a black eye step by step.
Makeup Safety
Before applying makeup, make sure your bruise is ready. Wait until the initial swelling has subsided and make sure you don’t have any open cuts or abrasions.
When your eye is ready you will also want to ensure your tools are clean. You will also want to avoid sharing them with others to prevent infection.
Conclusion
Treating a black eye promptly and properly can alleviate discomfort and speed up the healing process. The majority of individuals who get a black eye will be able to treat it at home with the appropriate self-care.
