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Injuries and bruises leave the mark that can be treated at home naturally. The black circle around your eye could possibly be the same condition. Not to worry as it is a common reaction that is caused after an injury or surgery sometimes.
If there is a mild pain or blackness around your eyes then you can treat it at home. You must choose the treatable home remedies to relieve the pain and minimize swelling. But do not apply the same remedy for eye swelling and pain as it differs.
When you see your eyes turning black, you think about the causes. Hence, the causes are mentioned along with ways to prevent it. Apart from this, we have provided the information everything you must know about this common condition called black eye.
What is a Black Eye?
Black eye generally occurs after facial surgery or due to injury to the head or face. It is a reaction when blood clots underneath the skin of the eye area. Most of the time a black eye is not seen as a critical condition but it still can be a sign of serious injury. Hence, there is a need to see your doctor if the pain continues.
What Causes a Black Eye?
Causes of black eye are a must know before panicking. Sometimes, black eye is the result of truama to the head that causes bleeding under the skin of eye area. As the blood vessels or capillaries break around the eye, blood starts to flow and collect as a pool. This is how it causes discoloration and bruising of the of the eye. There are possible causes for black that you must know to detect the severity and take the further step to treat it.
A. Hyphema
One of the critical conditions of black eyes is hyphema. It is developed when due to the bleeding inside the eye. It affects the space between the cornea (back side) and iris (front side). Hyphema needs immediate medical attention to prevent vision loss from glaucoma.
B. Accidents and injuries
Black eye can develop from a minor or major injury of the head, face. For example, skull fracture can result in black due as it damages the face bones. Sometimes, injury around the eye causes cellulitis which is a bacterial infection. Both types of injuries need the medical treatment on time to fasten the recovery and prevent seriousness.
C. Facial surgery
Cosmetic or dental surgeries may develop bruising of the eye area. It can prolong the blackness for a longer time compared to the minor injury.
D. Medications
It is rare that cancers cause bleeding around the face, skull or eyes. But then some cancer types can make black eye healing difficult which can become persistent than the usual causes like injury.
Read: How To Prepare For Doctor Appointment? 12 Things To Avoid Prior!
How to Get Rid of a Black Eye?
Apart from home remedies, you have other methods that help reduce the effects of black eye. You can even try these ways along with home remedies for speedy recovery of your eye.
I. Lift your head
Hold your head up when you are not in sleep. This works in letting the blood flow to your heart instead of settling under your eye area. You can add an extra pillow to elevate your head for proper blood flow.
II. Rest and relax
Don’t hit back to sports or workout until your eye heals completely. You have to give some time to recover from the condition.
III. Never apply pressure
If you are using cold or warm compress, don’t apply pressure on the affected area. Remember to be gentle with your eyes.
IV. Do not rub your eyes
If you are experiencing any itch around the affected eye do not rub it vigorously as it can cause hurt or more pain. Rubbing can worsen the condition so avoid doing it.
Read: What Happens If You Keep Rubbing Your Eyes? 10 Possible Risks!
Home Remedies to Get Rid of Black Eye
1. Cayenne Pepper and petroleum jelly
Cayenne pepper contains capsaicin which is anti inflammatory. It aids in treating the inflammation naturally. Combining it petroleum jelly works as a healing remedy for black eye at home.
What should I do?
- Mix a pinch of cayenne pepper with 5 parts of melted petroleum jelly.
- Blend both the ingredients into a fine paste and apply it around the eye.
- Do not let the pepper go into your eyes as it will burn very badly.
- Leave it for 10 minutes and wash it off with plain water.
- Pat dry your eye area with a clean cloth.
How often?
Do it once a day for a week.
2. Peppermint leaves
The soothing properties in peppermint leaves can relieve your black eye from pain and discomfort. This remedy can be effective as mint has the inflammatory properties. Try this remedy if there is burning sensation or swelling around the eye to treat it with a cooling effect.
What Should I Do?
- Pick a few fresh peppermint leaves and grind into a paste.
- Wash your eye area and apply the paste over it.
- Let it sit for 15 minutes and then wash it off.
- Pat dry your eye with a clean cloth.
How often?
Do it 1 time a day until black eye is healed.
Read: Peppermint As A Potent Treatment For Oesophageal Disorders, Study Suggests
3. Ice Pack
Ice pack is the well known treatment for mild inflammation that causes swelling, itching and redness. If your eyes are over swollen then you must apply an ice pack gently. It calms and soothes your inflamed black eye.
What Should I Do?
- Wrap ice cubes in a clean cloth.
- Apply the cloth wrapped ice on your eye.
- Rub it for 2-3 minutes and remove.
- You can also use an ice pack directly.
How often?
Do it 3 times a day for 5 days or more.
4. Warm Compress
Warmth is to improve blood circulation in your eye area. Applying warm compress can relieve your eyes from the pain and discomfort.
What Should I Do?
- Gently apply warm compress on your affected eye.
- Let it remain for 5 minutes or more.
- Make sure the compress is not too hot but just warm.
How often?
Repeat it 2 times a day for a week.
5. Cucumber
Cucumber is serving as a best home remedy for various health conditions like infections, inflammation. The soothing properties and water content in the vegetable can calm the infection of black eye. It can also reduce swelling, redness and discoloration.
What Should I Do?
- Cut cucumber into thin slices.
- Cover your each eye with a slice of cucumber.
- Lay down and relax for 10-15 minutes.
- Pat dry your eyes and rest for a few minutes.
How often?
Repeat it 2 times a day for a week.
Read: 13 Health Benefits Of Cucumber Water – Know Why Detox Is Important
6. Essential Oil
Essential oils are loaded with anti-inflammatory components which cure infections and inflammation. It is applicable to black eye condition.
Massage with essential oils can increase the blood flow and disperse the blood pool under your eye. For this you can choose lavender oil or peppermint oil to cure black eye at home.
What Should I Do?
- Mix essential oil with carrier oil.
- Massage your eye area with mixed oil.
- Rub your eye for 2-3 minutes gently in circular motions.
- Leave it overnight and clean your eyes the next morning.
How often?
Do it 1 time a day for a 1 week.
7. Raw Potato
If you are looking for a quick recovery of black eye then choose potato for it. It contains enzymes that fastly heal the swelling around the eye. It scatters the pooled blood under the eye and reduces discoloration as well.
What should I Do?
- Clean and peel off the potato.
- Finely grate the potato and extract juice from it.
- Dip a clean muslin cloth in the potato juice.
- Apply the cloth on the affected eye for 15 minutes.
- Later wash your eyes and rest for sometime.
How often?
Do it 2 times a day for a week.
Read: 28 Health Benefits Of Potato Juice for Better Well Being, Skin and Hair
8. Pineapple
Pineapple contains the natural enzymes that treat inflammation. It reduces the effects of inflammation and discoloration. You can apply pineapple to heal your eye or consume it directly which can work too.
What should I do?
- Clean the pineapple and cut a slice.
- Place a thin slice of pineapple on your eye.
- Leave it for 5-10 minutes and then rinse the eye.
How often?
Do it for a week or more.
Read: 7 Important Health Benefits Of Pineapple Juice
9. Gentle massage
The remedy works once swelling of your eye calms. It is to stimulate blood flow around your eye area. You must be gentle while massaging your eye as the skin around eyes is sensitive. Skip this remedy if your eye is still swollen.
What Should I do?
- Massage your affected eye with coconut oil using your fingertips.
- Rub the blacked part in smaller circular motions for 5-10 seconds and relax.
- Lay down after the massage and rest for some time for the massage to work.
How often?
Do it 2 times a day.
10. Green tea bags
Green tea is full packed with antioxidants and tannins which treat black eye. It minimizes swelling and pain of the condition. It is a simple home remedy to get rid of black eye.
What Should I Do?
- Steep two green tea bags like you casually do it.
- Apply a bag on each eye and leave it for 10 minutes.
- Remove the bags off and pat, dry your eyes.
How often?
Repeat 2 times a week.
Read: New Study Emphasizes The Potent Benefits of Green Tea On Cognitive Functions
11. Frozen vegetables
If you have frozen vegetables like peas or corn handy then use it as a remedy to treat your black eye at home. It doesn’t damage your skin but relieves your eyes from inflammation, swelling and redness.
What Should I Do?
- Pack handful frozen peas in a clean cloth.
- Gently apply the pack on your affected eye.
- Leave it for 3-4 minutes and then repeat.
How often?
Do it several times a day.
How Long Does a Black Eye Last?
Commonly black eye last for 2 weeks. Skin color around the eye becomes normal, swell reduces and feels less painful after a while. Again it depends on the severity of the injury, treatment, health conditions.
How to Prevent a Black Eye?
Agree that you cannot predict the risk of black eye but you can still prevent it with casual care and protection. These remain as the protective ways during sports, adventures and during casual occasions as well.
a. Shield your face
If you are going for adventures, sports then shield your face from injuries as it can reduce the risk of black eye. Hit on your face can cause the severe or minor problems which leave your eye with discoloration, bleeding as well.
b. Wear goggles
Goggles act as an eye protection from sunburn, infections and inflammation as well. You can also wear goggles to stop worsening the inflammation of black eye. It protects your eyes from affecting the exposure of dust, sun rays.
c. Avoid risk of injury
It is always important to avoid the risk of injuries under any situation. If you see any risk of injuries then don’t continue doing it or else be gentle with yourself. You must take care of yourself while riding on bikes, games, sports, workouts to avoid any injuries and fractures.
When to Worry About a Black Eye?
If there is a constant pain or vision changes in the affected eye then you must consult a doctor. Also go to the doctor if your nose or ears are bleeding, suffering headaches. These can be alarming signs of severe problems. There are other signs that you must ot ignore but seek medical help to treat and heal it-
- Worsening discolouration
- Excessive swelling
- Constant pain in eye
- Difficulty in moving the eye
- Nauseous- vomiting, dizziness
- Infection- Redness, pus
- Numbness in teeth or cheek
Conclusion:
By knowing the potential causes ands ways to prevent black eye. If the pain or swell is persisting for longer time then do not ignore it as a casual problem. It needs emergency medical attention for appropriate medication. If the pain, swell and discoloration are mild then home remedies can be effective treatment. You have the home remedies to fasten the recovery of your black eye. You can consider the severity of your eye and use the remedy.
FAQ’s
1. Can a Black Eye Affect Your Vision
It is rare for black eye impairing vision or causing severe vision problems. But then it can blur the vision and make it difficult to open the eyes normally.
2. Can a Black Eye Leave a Scar
If the injury is deeper that it may leave a scar or mark on your eye. But generally it becomes normal by itself.
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