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14
50 shades…
of bruising.
HEALTH
it’s internal bleeding but don’t panic
Most of us get them but why is it some of us escape
relatively unscathed whilst others look like they’ve
been caught in a multitude of stampeding elephants?
Is it simply the speed in which we tackle an obstacle,
our skills on tackling said obstacle or lack of?
Most of us know that a bruise is microscopic tears
in tiny blood vessels called capillaries under the
skin. This is basically internal bleeding but don’t
panic, it’s nothing too serious
Bruises can be a variety of colours covering the
entire rainbow spectrum and can adopt some very
unusual shapes too. Severe bruising may literally
turn 50 shades before they fade completely. A
plethora of colours from blues, purples, greens and
yellows and any of the 46 shades in between.
How easily you bruise can depend where on
the body it is. For example, the shins have less
cushioning which makes them more prone to
bruising even after a seemingly slight impact, your
bottom perhaps, although I’ve had some absolute
gems there, may be less likely to take such a
battering. It often depends what you make contact
with. If it’s a flat surface you tend to cover a wider
surface area on impact.
Those taking medication to thin the blood will bruise
like a peach but fear not, there’s no risk of infection
because the skin isn’t broken. If your skin tone is
quite pale your bruising will be more obvious, not
because you’ve bruised any more, it’s just that
the marks are more apparent. Some people just
naturally bruise easier than others and we often find
that we don’t remember bumping into something.
I can honestly say that after a really good race I’ve
little recollection of how I get each and every kiss on
my body and let me tell you, there’s been a few.
There’s a strange satisfaction that waves over me
when I get a really good one and I’m weirdly proud
to show it off. It seems to represent a peculiar sense
of achievement, a memory of how much I have
overcome and also a reminder of how wonderfully
crazy our OCR world is and that these kisses are
perfectly acceptable and in fact part and parcel of
what we do.
So, treatment
An ice pack aka a bag of peas (not directly on the
skin though) is probably the best starting point to
help healing and reduce any swelling. No more
than 15 mins per hour. The ice helps to constrict
the blood vessels keeping it from getting bigger.
24/48 hours post impact, apply light heat (hot
flannel) for 10 mins 2/3 times a day. The warmth
will encourage blood flow and allow the skin to
absorb the blood quicker.
Elevation if possible will encourage blood flow away
from the injury site but it is only recommended for
limbs, please don’t hang upside down thinking it
will help a bruise on your back. It won’t.
Ibuprofen is in fact NOT recommended as it can
slow the blood clotting and may prolong the bleeding
but Paracetamol can be taken if pain is present.
Certain foods can aid recovery. Eating foods rich in
vitamin C and flavonoids help the body regenerate
collagen which fortifies the blood vessels. Citrus
fruits, leafy veg, Brussel sprouts, pepper, pineapple
(Bromelain) and prunes are among a few good
sources.
Vinegar diluted with water and applied to the areas
is known to treat blood clotting instantly.
Chocolate, sadly you don’t eat it! Cocoa bioactive
compounds contain anti inflammatory properties.
Melted chocolate applied to the area and bandaged
until dry is said to aid the healing process. Failing
that, eat what’s left – it’ll at least make you feel a
bit better. Licking the bandage is frowned upon so I
wouldn’t recommend that.
There are many more suggestions, some a bit
bizarre, others not so much – onion juice, sugar
syrup, turmeric and tamarind paste, lemon juice,
black coffee, butter, ginger, raw potato are all said
to be beneficial. It really depends how keen you
are to heal quickly and whether you want a swarm
of bees or random animals chasing your rear down
the street trying to get a lick.
Technically
known as a
contusion
but to us
muddy bunch
it’s better
known as the
famous OCR
kiss.
Prevention?
You’re in the
wrong sport
.
Wear your
OCR kiss
with pride.
Arnica and Aloe
Vera are both
plant based gels
that help dilate
blood vessels and
promote faster
healing. Perhaps
the more sensible
option than any
on the food list.
