Massive bruise

I'm sorry you have hurt yourself. Unfortunately there are no ways in which you can make a bruise fade more quickly. The underlying tissues are damaged and will repair themselves in their own time. You could of course take a painkiller if it's restricting your movement. Swimming would be good for you and help you to relax your leg.

I had an enormous bruise some years ago all down one side. It was with me for weeks. I did go swimming (usually swim 3 times a week) as it seemed ridiculous not too. Why was I bothered about it? It was clearly a bruise and not contagious.

If I caught someone looking I just said "horrendous tumble up a step" and rolled my eyes. People were really sympathetic and some became quite chatty.

I do hope yours goes soon.

I kept reminding myself that it was just temporary and I was lucky.

Just do it.

I had one earlier this year after my garden mishap, it took a good few weeks to totally go, it wouldn’t stop me swimming if I did.

I have a smallish bruise on my calf where the vacuum cleaner fell and hit me. It took a while to come out and is taking weeks to go. There's a lump there too.

Don't let it stop you swimming but do be careful on wet floors. I hope the GP took your concerns seriously.

Who is going to see - or care about - the back of your leg when you are in the water? Wrap a beach towel around your waist as soon as you get out of the water, and you should be fine.

Bruises take time to fade, nothing will speed this up. Just throw your cares to the wind and go swimming, I have awful varicose veins on one leg and ankle that I was worried about but now I couldn’t care less because I doubt very much anyone gives me, or my legs, a second glance.

If the bruise is a not dispersed but is instead a pocket of blood just under the skin medicinal leeches will suck it until it empties, without pain or much inconvenience to yourself

Please try not to be self conscious about the bruise, Sallywally1, as by being so you are stopping yourself from doing something you enjoy. Most people will be too focussed on themselves to notice, and if anyone does notice then do as NotSpaghetti suggests. I’m glad you’ve spoken to the Dr about your faint, though.

It’s very noticeable as I’ve got older, I bruise far more easily even from minor contact and they last far longer. I can remember having large bruises when I was a lot younger that would go in a couple of days. How horrid for you Sallywally1 falling twice in 2 days.

My huge bruise was all down one side and looked like I'd survived a massive car accident! It stayed for ages.

Lots of people in the changing room exchanged bruise stories!

Arnica, either in cream/ointment form, or better still, in tincture form, is excellent for applying on bruises and helps faster healing. Available on the internet.

Many years ago I used to sail and after one particularly bad race, ended up with bruises all over. I used to swim and exercise at a ladies only gym and was asked, by several women, if I had been involved in a recent, local and very tragic train crash as my bruising was so extensive. I certainly didn't worry about being seen with bruising but hadn't anticipated the questions.

I was referred to the Falls Clinic after a couple of unnecessary falls (unnecessary as in, I wasn’t walking a tightrope or anything!) No underlying reason for me falling was found.

I usually recommend arnica, I don’t know of any other alternative remedy for bruising. Putting ice on the site of the bump can help prevent bruising, I think, but you just have to wait for the discolouration to dissipate once the bruise is there.

So glad I realised many years ago that most people are focussed on themselves and probably wouldn’t even notice your bruise. If they do they would just sympathise wth you. Anyone who was unkind is not worth worrying about.

Arnica cream. Works great. Wishing you better soon

Like glammagran I've noticed an increase in bruises as I get older. In fact my lower legs are never without bruises as minimal contact causes them now. I get swelling in my feet and ankles in very hot weather or if I have to sit for a long time too. I can't afford to worry about the appearance of either if I want to lead any kind of life
In fact I've just spent a week in Italy, often by the pool with bruises and a little swelling on show and no stranger has commented on either!

Sallywally1

I slipped and fell on a wet floor 10 days ago. The next morning I fainted and again hit the floor both unrelated issues and I have spoken to gp about the faint.

The bruise is horrible, covering a large area on the back of my leg and is preventing me from going swimming as I am so self conscious of it. I have tried arnica daily. Anyone have any useful tips to make it go quicker?

No one is going to take any notice and if they ask tell them the truth. No harm done. It would be so good for your leg to carry on swimming, be brave and enjoy. nHope it goes sooner than later and you are not in too much pain with it.

I'm so sorry that you slipped .
If you have fainting spells-they need investigating .
If you are already using Arnica that's great .
If you take aspirin it makes bruises worse .
But if your doctor has advised you to take it you should continue .
The only advice that I have is to check your diet .
This is the recommended diet for healing bruises .
You need :
Vitamin B12 - from beef and fortified breakfast cereals .
Vit C from oranges .
Vit K from leafy vegetables ie broccoli , kale and spinach .

You should eat two eggs a day as well .

As we get older our balance isn't as it was before and our skin thins .
A good diet and sensible exercise are essential .

Thanks for all your messages, bruise still there but slowly going. I’m swimming today!

Hood for you Sallywally1🩱

I recently pinched my thumb with a nut cracker. Yeow! I used turmeric oil and was very surprised to see the black bruise had gone the next day but th9e lump is still there.

2oaktrees

I recently pinched my thumb with a nut cracker. Yeow! I used turmeric oil and was very surprised to see the black bruise had gone the next day but th9e lump is still there.

😯

You can buy shelled nuts!!!
Although I do like to have a bowl of nuts to crack at Christmas.

Sallywally1

Thanks for all your messages, bruise still there but slowly going. I’m swimming today!

Well done!

Allira It was the last pistachio that had not opened. I won't be doing that again!