Why Does This Bruise Itch And What Can I Do About It?
Bruising on legs is not uncommon. Some people are allergic to certain substances that cause itching or other symptoms. Others have allergies to chemicals used in the manufacturing of shoes or clothing. Still others suffer from eczema, which causes redness and swelling at the site of contact with skin. Even some people may develop a reaction when they touch their face while shaving, brushing teeth, etc..
The reason why some people experience itching and others don’t is due to different factors. For instance, if someone suffers from eczema, the body produces chemical irritants called allergens that cause itchiness.
These chemicals are present in many products such as soap, shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste and even bedding material. If these chemicals are not washed off properly before touching skin then the person will get irritated. When the person gets irritated, the body releases histamines into the blood stream causing the itching.
Other reasons include:
– Chemical burns from detergents or laundry detergent;
– Insect bites; and/or
– Other types of irritation caused by your environment (e.g., hot weather).
How To Stop Bruises From Being Itchy?
There are a couple of reasons why you might get itchy bruises. Some people have had allergic reactions to the metal in their jewelry, particularly cheap metal. If this is the case, you will get a rash or an itchy bump around your bruise. A rash that looks like little red bugs or that has the tiny red dots all over it could be Eczema. This is a skin condition that occurs when your body over-reacts to normal substances. Eczema is also very itchy, especially around area of the body that you have scratched.
It is important to know that dry skin can be an aggravating factor of Eczema and other types of skin reactions, so keeping the affected skin well moisturized will help in relieving your symptoms. Below, you will find some tips for treating your itchy bruises and relieving your discomfort.
How to Treat Itchy Bruises?
1. Stop scratching.
As strange as it may seem, one of the main reasons why you bruise easily or get itchy when you do bruise is because you are scratching the bump repeatedly. The skin is very sensitive to the touch and even a light touch can cause inflammation.
2. Use cold compresses for itching bruises.
For itching, apply a bag of ice or a cold compress to the area for about ten minutes at a time. As strange as it may seem, this will help numb the area and take your mind off of the itching.
You can also take a warm shower or bath to help soothe the skin as well.
3. Use hydrocortisone cream.
If the itching persists or if the area starts to look red, try applying hydrocortisone cream or a 1% cortisone cream to the area of discomfort. This will help relieve the inflammation and itching.
You can find hydrocortisone over-the-counter or by prescription as a lotion, ointment, cream or gel.
4. Take an anti-histamine.
If the itching is causing you to lose sleep or otherwise be extremely uncomfortable, you can take an anti-histamine, such as Benadryl. This will help you get some sleep and relieve some of the itching.
Again, do not give these medicines to children unless specifically directed to by a physician.
5. Apply baking soda paste.
One home remedy for relieving itching due to bruises is to make a paste of baking soda and water and apply it gently to the area. Let it dry and then rinse with cool water.
6. Try cornstarch.
Another home remedy for itchy bruises is to mix cornstarch and water until you have a thick paste. Apply this to the skin and let it dry.
This will help soothe the skin.
7. Take an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen can help ease the pain and swelling of a bruise, and therefore, help relieve some of the itching as well. These drugs can cause stomach upset and therefore should not be taken on an empty stomach.
8. Use baking soda and water or hydrocortisone 1%.
As a last resort, you can try making a paste of 3% hydrogen peroxide (do not use this if the skin is broken or cracked), baking soda and water. Apply this to the affected area and let it dry.
Once it has dried, rinse it off. If you do not have baking soda, you can use hydrocortisone cream or 1% cortisone instead. Do not apply these longer than seven days.
Bruises may itch for a few days after they first appear. During this time, you should apply a cold compress to the area.
You can also take an anti-inflammatory and an anti-histamine formula to help stop the itching. Before taking any medication, however, you should consult your physician or pharmacist.
You should also apply cold compresses to the area as often as you can. This will help soothe the area and take your mind off of the discomfort.
Also drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration, which can exacerbate the itching.
If the itching still persists or worsens, see your doctor as he may have to inject the area with a local anesthetic.
Tips
When you are injured and have swelling around an area, you may experience itching. This can occur on its own or in addition to pain.
It is best to keep the injured area elevated so that it has less contact with the ground and can begin to heal. If you begin to itch, there are some home remedies you can try.
Clean the area with water and pat dry.
Apply a thin layer of 1% hydrocortisone, lidocaine, calamine lotion or aloe vera to help soothe and possibly relieve the itching.
If you find that these home remedies do not help or if the itching is intolerable, see your physician.
Warnings
Never apply heat to an injured area as this can cause further swelling and further damage to skin and tissue.
Do not apply ibuprofen to children under the age of 18 as it can cause serious problems with their stomach or intestines. In addition, anyone who has experienced a serious allergic reaction to ibuprofen in the past should not take it.
This includes anyone who has had a rash or hives after taking aspirin in the past. If you are not sure if you are allergic to ibuprofen, ask your pharmacist before taking it.
If your pain is mild to moderate and does not require ibuprofen, Tylenol may be a better option. This is especially true for those who have experienced stomach ulcers or liver problems in the past.
As with any medication, check with your doctor if you are unsure of how it may react with other medicines you are taking.
If you have had an allergic reaction to naproxen in the past, speak with your doctor before taking ibuprofen.
If you begin experiencing severe stomach pains or bloody diarrhea after taking ibuprofen, contact your doctor immediately.
The elderly may be more susceptible to side effects from ibuprofen than other age groups. Before taking, discuss the risks and benefits with your physician.
They may also wish to anaylze your kidneys and liver before hand if you have any concerns or medical history that would make it contraindicated.
Do not take more than the recommended dosage.
Do not use for more than 10 days in a row unless otherwise directed by your physician.
Activities that require alertness should be avoided when taking this medication as it may cause drowsiness or dizziness, such as driving or operating heavy machinery.
Sources & references used in this article:
If it itches, scratch! by RJ Hall – Australasian Journal of Philosophy, 2008 – Taylor & Francis
Common skin disorders in the elderly by GF Webster – Clinical cornerstone, 2001 – Elsevier
Itch: more than skin deep by MW Greaves, N Khalifa – International archives of allergy and …, 2004 – karger.com
