What Is A Black Eye?
Black eye is medically known as periorbital hematoma. It is often the result of an injury to the face, which leads to bruising around the eye. This condition is named so because of the color of the bruising. We will now take a look at the causes of this bruising.
What Causes A Black Eye?
Injury: When you injure your face, the tiny blood vessels under your skin tend to burst and leak blood. This causes the bluish-black bruise around your eyes. The injury to your face can result from being hit by any object.
Cosmetic Surgery: In some cases, a black eye can also be caused by a cosmetic surgery or some dental work and might last for several days.
Medical Issues: Black eye is not dangerous and is often a result of bruising. However, in some cases, a black eye can be a sign of a more serious underlying medical complication. For example, bruising around both eyes can be an indication of a skull fracture or some other injury of the head.
Irrespective of how you have injured yourself, the following remedies can help you get rid of that weird-looking black eye faster.
How To Get Rid Of A Black Eye Naturally
Home Remedies To Treat A Black Eye
1. Cayenne Pepper And Vaseline
1 teaspoon of powdered cayenne pepper 5 teaspoons of Vaseline
You must do this twice a day. The capsaicin in cayenne pepper makes this remedy very effective in treating a black eye. Capsaicin possesses powerful anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties that can relieve the pain and inflammation around the bruised eye (1).
2. Coconut Oil
Virgin coconut oil (as required) Do this once every night. The very act of massaging, combined with the benefits of coconut oil, is one of the best remedies to treat a black eye. Coconut oil has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties that can soothe the affected eye. Massaging it can help clear the blood clots under your eyes (2).
3. Toothpaste
Any white toothpaste You must do this once daily, preferably at night. Toothpastes, especially the mint-flavored ones, are quite effective in soothing bruised skin (including a black eye). The anti-inflammatory agents in toothpaste help your skin recover quickly.
4. Essential Oils
a. Lavender Oil
6 drops of lavender oil 15 mL of any carrier oil
You must do this every night before bedtime. Lavender oil can help you get rid of a black eye, owing to its strong analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties (3).
b. Peppermint Oil
6 drops of lavender oil 15 mL of any carrier oil
You must do this once every night. Peppermint oil possesses excellent anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties that can help treat a black eye. It also soothes the swelling and inflammation, if any (4).
5. Cucumber
Refrigerated cucumber slices You must do this 1 to 2 times daily. Cucumber has a high water content, and hence, it can help soothe and cool your bruised eye. It can also help reduce the swelling and pain (5).
6. Green Tea Bags
2 used green tea bags You must do this twice daily. Green tea is packed with antioxidants, thanks to the presence of high levels of tannins. These tannins can help heal a black eye by reducing the pain and swelling (6).
7. Petroleum Jelly
Petroleum jelly (as required) You must do this once daily. Petroleum jelly is soothing, healing, and moisturizing and is thus a great option for treating a black eye.
8. Pineapple
Sliced pineapple pieces You must do this 3 to 4 times daily. Applying pineapple topically can help in combating a black eye and consuming it can speed your recovery from within. Pineapples are rich in vitamin C and also contain an enzyme called bromelain (7). While vitamin C helps your black eye heal faster, bromelain reduces the pain and inflammation (8).
9. Lemon Juice
1 glass of lemon juice Consume a glass of lemon juice. Do this 5 to 6 times in a day. Lemons are naturally anti-inflammatory and are also great sources of vitamin C. Vitamin C possesses antioxidant properties, which heal a black eye by repairing the damage from within (9).
10. Orange Juice
1 glass of fresh orange juice Drink a glass of orange juice. You must drink a glass of orange juice at least thrice daily. Like lemons, oranges are also great sources of vitamin C. Consuming high amounts of vitamin C can acelerate recovery and help heal your black eye (10).
11. Raw Potato
Sliced raw potato You must do this 3 to 4 times daily. Raw potatoes contain high amounts of certain enzymes that can be used for dissolving blood clots. Additionally, potatoes have anti-inflammatory properties that help relieve the swelling and inflammation around the affected eye (11).
12. Ice Pack
An ice pack You must do this 2 to 3 times daily. Ice packs can reduce pain, inflammation, and swelling around the affected eye (12).
13. Warm Compress
A warm compress Do this 2 to 3 times daily for faster recovery. A warm compress is a great option to relieve pain as well as improve blood circulation. It also helps in getting rid of the blood clots under your eye (13). These are the ways you can treat a black eye. But isn’t prevention always better than the cure?
Prevention Tips
Make sure that the rugs and carpets in your home are well placed, without wrinkles, to avoid tripping on them. If you indulge in activities like martial arts, boxing, or any other contact sports, wear protective gear. Always wear a helmet when you are cycling or riding a bike. Always wear a seatbelt while traveling in a car. Wear goggles for protection if you happen to be involved in activities like gardening or woodwork.
How long does a black eye take to heal? A black eye usually heals within two weeks without any medical attention. If treated, it heals in a few days. Can a black eye affect your vision? A black eye usually does not affect your vision. However, if your vision is blurred or your eyeballs hurt, it could be due to an underlying medical complication. In such situations, it is best to see your doctor to identify the cause of your disturbed vision. Can I exercise with a black eye? It is not recommended to exercise or do any heavy lifting within the first 48 hours of getting a black eye to prevent the risk of further bleeding under the skin. Is ibuprofen good for a black eye? Yes, as it is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), ibuprofen can reduce the swelling associated with a black eye and alleviate pain. However, it is advisable to use acetaminophen instead of ibuprofen as the latter may increase bleeding. Is aloe vera good for a black eye? Aloe vera is usually not recommended as the first line of treatment for a black eye. However, it may be used as a natural remedy to reduce bruising once the black eye begins to heal.
