It is very common for us to observe bruises on the skin. Sometimes we do not even know when the bruise occurred, resulting in an unsightly coloration of the skin. What preparations can be used for bruises and contusions? What are other ways to bruises and what will make sports massage even more effective?
Bruises – what are they and how do they form?
Bruises are colloquial terms for hematomas, made visible through the skin. Hematomas are hemorrhages (accumulation of blood outside the blood vessels) resulting from damage to blood vessels. When we talk about bruises, we mean damage to the blood vessels directly under the skin.
Who is more prone to bruising?
Bruising is more common in people exposed to trauma, and especially among athletes, children and the elderly. In addition, it has been suggested that the use of certain medications (including anticoagulants, anti-inflammatories, anti-asthmatics and antidepressants) may promote the formation of blood vessel hemorrhages. Also, bruising is much more common in cirrhotic patients, as well as those who abuse alcohol, cigarettes and narcotics. People with vitamin C deficiency and there is an increased tendency for blood vessels to become more fragile, resulting in the occurrence of bruises.
Are bruises dangerous to health?
Bruises are a natural occurrence, resulting from a fall, bump or contusion. Due to this fact, they should not be feared. However, if they arise despite the fact that there was no impact, they can be a cause for concern. Indeed, hematomas visible on the skin, may result from disorders of hemostasis, that is, the body’s peculiar defensive element against the outflow of blood from the blood vessels. Hemostasis disorders are dangerous to the body’s health and should not be underestimated.
Why do bruises have a non-uniform coloration?
The bruises change color, starting with red, then brownish-yellow, and finally yellow. This is due to the staged process of blood absorption, more specifically, the gradual breakdown of hemoglobin (blood cell pigment) found in the leaked blood. Initially, a large number of petechial hemorrhages give the hemorrhage a red color. In the next stage, the blood is partially absorbed and then the bruise turns brownish-yellow. In the final stage, when the amount of blood outside the blood vessels is already small, the bruise is characterized by a yellow tint, until it finally disappears and the skin returns to its natural color.
Bruises – what are they and why do they occur?
Contusions (or injuries) are damage to the skin (including subcutaneous tissue) and peri-tissue joints. The consequences of a contusion can be bloody hemorrhages, subcutaneous effusions (collectively referred to as bruises, or bruises), and swelling and impaired joint mobility. An indispensable part of most contusions is the pain caused by the impact and the so-called pressure soreness, i.e. feeling pain when touching the contusion site.
What treatments and preparations to use for bruises?
Among the ingredients that actually reduce the visibility of bruises, we should look for Arnica montana extract and Calendula extract. Effective remedies for bruises and contusions should also include Horse Chestnut bark extract.
Traditional treatment of bruises includes treatments such as ice packs, as well as post-workout sports massage. It is also often recommended to place the limb where the bruise has become visible in the highest possible position relative to the rest of the body – this treatment is supposed to facilitate the drainage of blood from the injured area.
Arcalen – a proven remedy for bruises and contusions
Arcalen is a drug in the form of an ointment for use on the skin. A special advantage of Arcalen is its rich and well-composed composition. It contains extracts of mountain arnica baskets, calendula baskets and horse chestnut bark. The content of the above plant extracts ensures effective treatment of any post-traumatic conditions. This is because the use of Arcalen ointment allows faster elimination of subcutaneous hemorrhages, commonly referred to as bruises. It is also worth noting that this preparation is used by athletes in the so-called post-workout sports massage.
What is a sports massage? For what purpose is it used?
Sports massage, as the name suggests, is a specialized type of body massage. The purpose of performing sports massage is to prevent pathological conditions, such as sprains, muscle strains and bruises, resulting from excessive exposure of the body to physical stress. Sports massage has three functions: it warms, regenerates and heals. In the characteristics of sports massage, several types of massage are distinguished:
- training,
- Before the competition,
- launch,
- post-workout,
- supporting.
To perform a massage, special ointments and preparations are used to support the achievement of the intended effect. If the massage is performed after training or competitions and is intended to remove fatigue and treat injuries resulting from physical exertion, it is indispensable to include Arcalen ointment.
How should Arcalen ointment be applied?
Arcalen ointment should be applied externally to the affected area. The diseased skin surface should be covered with a thin layer of ointment several times a day. The effectiveness will be greater the earlier the drug is applied. If the product is used in the so-called sports massage, it is necessary to massage about 3-4 grams of ointment at a time.
Can anyone use the drug Arcalen?
The drug Arcalen is available without a prescription, but like any drug it can cause some side effects. Among them, hypersensitivity reactions to the ingredients of the preparation should be highlighted as the most common. People who are allergic to plant extracts of calendula, arnica, (as well as chamomile) may observe allergic reactions after using the preparation, in the form of redness, rash and itching.
Due to the lack of sufficient information on the safety of Arcalen ointment in children, pregnant and lactating women, the use of this drug is not recommended for patients in these groups.
