I'm the mother of an active three year old who recently bumped his head into the island in our kitchen. As a mother, I totally freaked out, but after a two or three minute cry he was back at it; running and playing as if nothing happened. My question is other than the products on the market for cuts and rashes and burns, is there anything for bruises or to prevent swelling?
Witch Hazel..........soak a cloth or some cottonwool in it and apply it to the bump as soon as it happens and it helps to take the bruising away. I dont know if it is commonplace over here to use it but in England where i am from it is used all the time for bumps.
I am the mother of two boys ages 7 and 9. They are very active boys and involved in many sports. They get bumps and bruises constantly. I am also a Regional Account Manager for Boiron. Boiron is the largest producer of homeopathic medicines worldwide. I regularly use Arnicare topicals and Arnica Montana pellets, which dissolve under the tongue. These products are great for the relief of sore and aching muscles, bumps and to help with the pain, swelling and discoloration from bruises. Please avoid contact with eyes and with open wounds (cuts and scrapes) as it will burn. For cuts, scrapes and burns I recommend Calendula topicals. These products along with many more homepathic medicines are available at your local health food store. For more information please go to www.boironusa.com. I hope this helps you. There are many homeopathic medicines in my medicine chest and are used often. Best of luck with your boys.
S.
Hi C., First use ICE on a bump to reduce swelling! Just a few minutes on then off, then on again for(until your child probably screams 'NO MORE!!!!!!!!!"ha!ha!
But yes.... There also is a clear gel in a tube you can find a most health food stores, called ARNICA. It has helped my lower back pain immensely and works faster than an aspirin or Tylenol! There is also homeopathic tablets called ARNICA-MONTANA, that you can take by letting them dissolve slowly in your mouth. They both say on the directions that they help pain, swelling and bruising, as well as back pain. I would caution you to do research or ask an experienced person at the health food store before you give it to children! At least read the label warnings & directions. I sure love it and keep it around! Just a little gel goes a LONG way,plus it doesn't hurt or smell! It is a bit costly, but not too bad! Hope it HELPS! (I'm married and have 2 grown children, but also nieces and nephews that are young)
Valerie G.
There is a homeopathic remedy called Arnica. It's used for bruising, muscle aches, stiffness, trauma to the body. It comes in Arnica Gel or Arnica Montana pellets. Both homeopathic. Can be bought at Whole Foods and probably other natural health stores. The pellets are put under the tongue, they're sweet and dissolve easily. They are very tiny. Just follow directions.
Arnica in any other form is poisonous, but not the homeopathic pellets. The gel is for external use only.
I've seen these work time after time. Wouldn't be without them!! Hope this is helpful to you.
I have used the Rejuvenating cream by Arbonne for bruising. It heals bruises very quickly. It uses arnica which is an awesome ingredient. K.
Absolute Tan & Spa ###-###-####
Arnica! Hylands Homeopathics makes a children's bumps and bruises easily dissolvable tablet--whole foods definitely carries them-
Yes!
Homeopathic "arnica" is just what you're looking for. You can get it at any health food store. They are available in sugar pellets (kids love them) and also as a topical ointment.
Dear C.,
Please take a look at this website: www.Arbonne.com. If you would like a free sample or 35% discount on product after reviewing website, do not order direct. I am a consultant and I can offer you the discount but you must pay full retail thru the website.
Their product works and I can send you free samples to prove it. It is a botanical product line that I am proud to represent.
You can reach me at ____@____.com is so nice to see a mother looking for alternative not over the counter remedies!
R.
Homeopathic Arnica in globule form taken by mouth (totally harmless) and in ointment applied directtly to injured area. Go to Arbor Farms, Whole Foods or Castle Remedies to obtain.
Ice is the best thing to stop swelling and minimizing a bruise. Bruises are caused by blood that leaks out of a vein this ice acts to coagulate the blood leaving less of a bruise.
I also agree with ice for swelling, cuts and burns. As for bruises...getting enough Vit c and iron in the child's diet helps with proper healing with bruising.
As for alternative therapies, they should be used with caution in children b/c many of these remedies have not been tested for effectiveness or safety on children. On top of that, vitamins and supplements are not as thoroughly regulated in this country and many contain harmful ingredients such as heavy metals or toxins and can be more dangerous than most medications. I am all for alternative remedies but they have to be used with discretion, especially in children.
S. Underwood DO
If you're not down with ice (or your kids aren't, like my son), get one of the cutesy character ice packs, and keep it in the fridge. It'll help with the swelling and bruise formation, without being so cold for the lil bumper.
arnica is a wonderful natural remedy for bumps and bruises or any kind of muscular trauma. i use it on myself and my daughter and it really makes a difference in the intensity of the bruise and the duration and also helps with pain and swelling. i love it! i used it internally in tablets after i gave birth to her and my recovery time was days! you can get it at most natural food stores that sell herbals and homeopathics. it comes in gels and creams and pills. i highly recommend it.
I put ice on my kids' bumps right away and it really prevents it from swelling. It will also help swelling to go down, but it is much easier to keep it from swelling in the first place if the ice is applied immediately.
C., mom to 5 with 1 on the way...
The best thing for bruising and swelling is ice. It will go away on its own just fine :)
For swelling put ice on it. If you put the ice in a baggie first, and than wrap the baggie in a damp washcloth.
The washcloth feels better on your skin than the baggie.
they sell flexible cold packs at drug stores
:)
I am a big fan of homeopathic medicine. I did not know much about it at first but after researching it, I found out that it is not like natural or herbal medicine but much better. There is one remedy called arnica which is great for all types of bumps, bruises, bad falls, etc.
C. H.
Over the counter remedies for a bruise on head is probably in your frezzer right now. The best thing to do is in the first hour after hitting the head place an ice pack (or a bag of frozen corn or peas works) to keep the swelling down. Just be sure to pay close attention if his appetite decreases or becomes very sleeply all the time I would have his head checked out.
B. D
Redford, MI
Ice- or frozen veggies (conform to the shape of the head). Just as an FYI, I was once told what Shari said that external injury is good b/c it is a sign of no internal damage. My son fell down the steps at about 2 1/2 and there was no bruise/swelling but I knew he hit it hard. So i freaked out and we went to urgent care-- the dr. there and my pediatrician both told me that no bruise etc is not a sign of internal damage. For what its worth....
You actually want it to swell on the outside and bruise a bit to be sure there isn't any internal damage. Watch for your little guy to act any differently than normal. If he shows signs of being lethargic or dreamy eyed you need to have him checked by a doctor. Ice for the first 24 hours will help to keep the swelling to a minimum and his body will take care of the bruising in time. If the bruise turns yellow you know it's healing good.
