Homemade Treatments to Get Rid of a Black Eye

The guy’s black eye in the above image looks very painful doesn’t it? Black eyes can be very painful and they are unsightly as well. Sometimes you cannot help getting a black eye other times you may be able to avoid getting one. What is the difference between the two? If you have cosmetic surgery or a broken nose these types of black eyes you cannot control. But if you deliberately get into a fight and you get punched in the face this is the type of black eye you can avoid. Don’t get into a fight! Whatever the cause of the black eye there are numerous home remedies to get rid of them. They are plastered all over the internet. Let’s go find out what they are.

Causes of a Black Eye

• The most common cause of a black eye is a blow to the eye, nose, or forehead. Depending on where the blow lands, one or both eyes may be affected.
• surgical procedures to the face, such as a face lift, jaw surgery, or nose surgery;
• a certain type of head injury, called a basilar skull fracture, causes both eyes to swell and blacken; this condition is typically described as “raccoon eyes.”

Symptoms of a Black Eye

Edema (swelling) and pain are the most common signs and symptoms of a black eye, and may be accompanied by discoloration caused by bruising.

​Calling a Doctor for a Black Eye

• experiences changes in vision
• has severe pain or swelling that does not go away
• has swelling around the eyes that is not related to an injury
• has signs of infection (for example, fever, warmth, redness, pus-like drainage)
• has behavioral changes
• has forgetfulness or lethargy, or nausea vomiting and/or dizziness
• Patients should consult a health care practitioner any time they are unsure about treatment or concerned about symptoms
• Some conditions require immediate medical care. Call 9-1-1 or get to an emergency department immediately in the following situations
• the patient experiences changes in or loss of vision (especially double vision)
• an inability to move the eye itself (i.e., unable to look in different directions)
• any injury in which an object may have pierced the eye or may be inside the eyeball
• if there is obvious blood in the eye itself
• if there is deformity to the eye
• fluid leaking from the eyeball
• there are any lacerations (cuts) to the eye area, face, or head
• the patient has signs of a serious head or facial injury
• if the black eye is accompanied by broken bones or teeth
• loss of consciousness
• changes in behavior
• nausea, vomiting and/or dizziness
• inability to walk
• blood or clear fluids coming out of the nose or the ears
• patients who take blood thinners, such as warfarin (Coumadin), or those with a history of bleeding problems such as hemophilia;
• swelling after a bee sting near the eye
• from a suspected infection of the eye

Home Remedies to Remove a Black Eye ​

​1. The Cold Method

The standard method to remove a black eye is by pressing the ice cubes against the affected area. Ice cube will constrict the bleeding which will reduce internal bleeding and stop further bruising. Ice cubes will speed up the healing process. It will also relieve pain but be careful you never apply the ice cube directly to the eye. Do not apply it to soft skin like the skin around the eye. If you choose to you can substitute a pack of frozen vegetables for the ice.   
Instructions:

• Wrap ice cubes in a clean cotton or muslin cloth.
• Hold it over the eye for about 10 minutes.
• Repeat the process several times a day during the first 48 hours.

2. Hot Method

Within one or two days of getting a black eye you can apply a warm compresses to the affected area.  This will help to increase blood flow to the tissues around the eye which will speed up the healing process. If this  doesn’t cause pain you can massage the area gently. This will improve blood circulation around the eye and accelerate the healing process.  It will loosen up and remove the dried blood from under the skin.

• Dip a clean cloth in warm water, and squeeze out the excess water.
• Put the warm cloth on the affected eye until the cloth becomes cool.
• Repeat the process several times a day.

3. Powerful Vitamin C

It  is important to include vitamin-C rich foods in the diet when you have a black eye. Foods like Indian gooseberries, guavas, peppers, limes, lemons, broccoli, mangoes and oranges. Vitamin C helps to thicken the walls of the blood vessels to aid in healing. Or you can take a vitamin C supplement to get the daily dose you will need.

4. Cool  Calendula

Calendula also known as darigold is used routinely to heal wounds and reduce inflammation. It will also promote wound healing. It will also reduce the swelling and bruising associated with the black eye.
Instructions:  

1. Put a handful of petals separated from fresh calendula flowers in a cup of hot water.
2. Allow it to steep for 10 to 15 minutes and then place it in the refrigerator for about half an hour
3. Soak a clean washcloth in this cool solution and place it on the eye area for about 5 minutes.
4. Do this a few times for a few days.

5. Arnica

Arnica is a herb that may be able to reduce the swelling associated with a black eye. It will also heal any eye muscles and tissue that was damaged from the black eye. Use arnica as soon as possible to prevent the bruise from getting worse. Arnica is available in cream, oil and ointments. It may be applied 2 or 3 times a day.

6. Pineapple and Papaya

So, it is said that pineapple and papaya are two fruits that may help cure a black eye. Both are rich in antioxidants which will speed up the healing process of any kind of injury that causes discoloration of the skin.  These fruits have enzymes that will soften and heal the skin.
Instructions:  

• Apply the pulp of these fruits topically around the blackened area of the eye, or
• Drink these fruit juices or simply eat the fruits.

7. Witch Hazel

Witch hazel may heal many health issues including black eyes. Here are a couple ways to use this medicine:
Instructions:

• Soak a cotton pad in witch hazel and place it on the affected eye for a few minutes. This will have a gentle soothing as well as healing effect.
• You can also prepare a solution of chamomile essential oil, witch hazel and water. Dip a clean cloth in the solution and place it on your eyelid and surrounding area. Repeat the process two to three times a day.

8. Natural Oil

Massaging with a good natural oil on the affected  area can help relieve inflammation and swelling. It is said olive oil is the best natural oil for rubbing on a black eye because it has many healing properties. You can apply castor oil and coconut oil to the affected areas as well. They can help heal black eyes. Be careful when you massage a natural oil onn the affected area because extra pressure may cause more pain.

9. Potato

This is an odd treatment to use for a black eye but it is said to work. Potatoes can relieve the swelling and pain caused by a black eye. You can also use cucumber slices or black tea bags to achieve the same ends.
Instructions:

• Peel and cut a medium-sized potato into thick slices. Put the potato slices in the refrigerator for half an hour. Then place a cold slice of potato over the affected eye for half an hour.
• Another option is to grate a potato to squeeze out the juice and then apply it to the eye.

10. Comfrey Roots

​What are comfrey roots? They are Comfrey oil is extracted from comfrey (Symphytum officinale), a perennial herb of the Boraginaceae family with a black, turnip-like root and large, hairy broad leaves bearings small, bell-shaped flowers. The plant has found widespread use in folk and herbal medicine, acting as a healing agent.
Here is how they can be used:
Instructions:

• Peel and cut a medium-sized potato into thick slices. Put the potato slices in the refrigerator for half an hour. Then place a cold slice of potato over the affected eye for half an hour.
• Another option is to grate a potato to squeeze out the juice and then apply it to the eye.

Source from http://www.balancemebeautiful.com​