How To Get Rid Of A Black Eye? 7 Natural Remedies Experts Swear By!

Whether it was a bad fight or a result of a sudden injury – that black eye needs immediate care. So, if you are looking for how to get rid of a black eye before you read ahead – get yourself an ice pack. That is the preliminary first-aid you must be aware of. There are plenty of natural and other alternative ways to deal with this problem, and this article will give you an idea of the same.

Assuming you have already put on the ice pack, let’s give you a list of home remedies, some alternative medicines that you may try out, things that you must not do, the timeline of the healing of the injury, and some quick queries that you may have.

The basic first-aid that you need to do

As mentioned before, an ice pack is the ultimate first-aid to deal with bruised skin under the eye. You will have to apply this within the first 24-48 hours of the injury. As you know, ice helps decrease the swelling around the eye. Keep it for 5-10 minutes, and repeat this process thrice a day. You may also use a cold compress instead of an ice pack.

Apart from that, you may also use a warm compress that heals under the eyes and improves blood flow to that area. Apply it for 15-20 minutes thrice a day for the desired results.

How to get rid of a black eye naturally?

In this section, you will get a glimpse of some of the natural remedies that you can try to get rid of the black eye that you have got –

1. Vaseline and Cayenne Pepper combo

Petroleum jelly in itself is one of the trusted remedies for reducing swelling. Cayenne pepper added to that helps comparatively.

How to use it? 

Blend Vaseline (or any other reputed petroleum jelly) with organic cayenne pepper in a 5:1 ratio. Massage this on your bruised eye and leave for an hour. After that, wash it off. Do it twice a day for immediate results.

You can also prepare this mixture and refrigerate it. Before using, keep it at room temperature and then massage as per instructions. In case you don’t get cayenne pepper, you can only use Vaseline.

Benefits – 

Petroleum jelly, as you know already, has pain-relieving properties. Cayenne pepper has capsaicin that is effective against such bruises.

2. Green Tea bags

Did you think that green tea was only for weight loss? Well, let’s inform you how to get rid of a black eye with the bags once you are done enjoying the tea.

How to use it? 

Take a warm used tea bag and place it over your eye for 10 minutes. Normally, it will stay warm till that time. In case it cools down, just warm it a little by placing it in hot water and then put it on your eyes for the said time. Doing this twice a day is good enough to get rid of your black eye.

Benefits – 

Enriched with tannins, they assist in reducing the swelling associated with your bruised eyes.

3. Virgin Coconut oil

There’s almost nothing that coconut oil cannot heal. Good for hair and dry skin, as per multiple tests, it has now surfaced that it is also beneficial for getting rid of bruises.

How to use it? 

Massage your eyes with virgin coconut oil for 10 minutes daily and leave it overnight.

Benefits – 

This oil has anti-inflammatory benefits, and the added massaging of your eyes helps to ease the blood clots that are formed.

4. Essential oils

Essential oils are a solution for almost anything – from hairfall issues to skin allergies. Here’s how to get rid of a black eye with the same –

How to use it? 

You can use peppermint or lavender oil to ease your bruised look. Take 10 ml each, of the chosen essential oil (pick the one that suits your skin, do a patch test before) and blend it with a carrier oil in a 2:5 ratio (essential oil: carrier oil) of your choice (coconut oil is the most opted one). Massage it over your eyes and leave it on overnight. Next morning, wash with a mild face wash.

Benefits – 

The analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties of essential oils reduce the lesion in your eye.

5. Raw potato

Some might be surprised to spot raw potatoes on this list. But for the uninformed, it is used as a first-aid in case of first-degree skin burns. Now, you will get to know where else it is used –

How to use it? 

A single slice is good enough in this case! Keep it on your affected eye for 20 minutes thrice a day to get the required results.

Benefits – 

The enzymes in potatoes are enriched with anti-inflammatory properties that assist in dissolving blood clots, thereby easing the black eye.

6. Fruit juices and packs

You have always been told to eat fruits and drink fresh juices to better your health. However, let’s show you how to get rid of a black eye by using their packs and juices. Pineapple, orange, and lemon juice are the ones you cannot leave out –

How to use it? 

If you are using pineapple to ease your blackening, then, apart from drinking its juice, you can slice it or make a paste of the same and use it on your eyes. Keep it for 10 minutes, three times a day for extended benefits.

In case you are choosing oranges or lemons, a glass of fresh juice consumed twice a day should be good enough.

Benefits – 

As you already know that both lemons and oranges being citrus fruits, are packed with Vitamin C that eases the contusion on the skin. When talking about pineapple, it is not only packed with Vitamin C but also with bromelain, which helps reduce inflammation.

7. Cucumber

Lastly, it’s not just in fancy movies or salons that you will find people using cucumber packs. They are of real help when it comes to getting rid of a black eye.

How to use it? 

Take a cucumber and slice it into a circular shape. Try to opt for the natural cucumbers rather than the ‘artificially grown’ ones for desired results. Chill them for close to an hour, and then place them on your eyes. Keep replacing them upto 3 times minimum. You must do it twice a day for 15 days.

Benefits – 

Since cucumber is hydrating in nature, therefore, it alleviates the swelling and soothes the bruised area.

Try out 2-3 remedies, depending on what suits your skin, for a fortnight. Assuredly, they will be of great assistance to you. In case you want to try out other alternative techniques, there are certain medications you may try (consult your medical practitioner before using).

Some alternative medicines to try out

Though the natural home-made remedies are good enough and should help heal your bruised dark eyesight in some time – for those who want to know more about how to get rid of a black eye – here is a list of the alternative medicines you may check out –

Arnica

This alternative medicine can be your best friend. It is packed with an ingredient called helenalin, which is categorically used for its range of anti-inflammatory properties. Arnica (used both orally and topically) can assist in alleviating your bruise and get rid of that black eye for you.

For the uninformed, this medicine is found in the form of tinctures, extracts, supplements, powder, or even aromatherapy oil. However, exercise caution when using since, if used in excess, this can be toxic.

Vitamin C and K

Both topical and oral creams enhanced with Vitamin K and C are suitable for improving the process of healing bruise marks.

Comfrey

According to certain studies, this herb is beneficial for treating bruises, sprains, and sudden muscular strains. Hence, you may try this as an alternative or an add-on to traditional remedies.

What you must not do?

Knowing how to get rid of a black eye with the help of natural remedies or medications is not enough. There are characteristically certain things that you must also take care of –

• The remedies are not overnight ‘wonder’ tricks. They take a minimum of 2-4 weeks before they show significant improvement. So, once you are done with the remedies and see a marked improvement, go for a complete eye checkup. There are chances of you getting an ocular injury.
• To ease the healing process, keep away from any strenuous activity, such as heavy exercise or even lifting any heavy object. Avoid touching your eyes repeatedly, and if at all, sanitize your hands.
• Over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen are of great help. But refrain from buying any creams since they are unsafe.

Timeline of your injury healing

Technically speaking, a black eye takes close to 2 weeks to completely heal. However, it may take even up to 4 weeks, depending on the severity of the injury, your age, and your overall health condition.

So, before you get all rushed up, know certain things for a fact –

• Just when you have got the injury, the area under your eyes will somewhat look reddish (since the blood is all pooled up there).
• Supposedly, by the 2nd day, the injury turns black-purplish since the area is swollen and the hemoglobin in the blood has broken down.
• Once you have applied the home-made techniques, you will see the swelling of that area reduce comparatively, and it turns into yellow-greenish.
• In most cases, after day 14 – the black eye vanishes. If yours do not due to multiple factors (age, severity of injury), consult a medical practitioner immediately.

A quick FAQ to know

Here are some queries you may have in regard to how to get rid of a black eye –

  1. How long does a black eye take to heal? 

It takes from a minimum of 2 weeks and could go up to 4 weeks, depending on your age and the severity of the injury.

  2. Can a black eye affect your vision? 

Technically speaking, it doesn’t. But, if you find your eyeballs hurting, or if you suffer from blurry vision – do not ignore it since this would mean an underlying medical condition that needs immediate attention.

  3. Is Aloevera a good option for your black eye? 

Though Aloevera is one of the best solutions when it comes to dealing with any swelling, a bruised eye is not the correct place to try your Aloevera gel. However, once the swelling is reduced, you may use it as a natural remedy.

Do you have any further queries regarding treating black eyes? You can post your queries here.

Key takeaways

If you have read this article well, you will automatically get clarity on how to get rid of a black eye both naturally and with the help of alternative medicines. However, if the noted remedies do not work on you (see for 2 weeks), you should consider visiting an ophthalmologist at the earliest. If you liked this article and want more of to-do guides – keep visiting this website.