To remove the purple from the eye, you can apply cold or warm compresses, perform manual lymphatic drainage or apply ointments with anticoagulant properties, such as arnica ointment, as they help to reduce swelling and lighten the purple spot.
Black eye, also called periorbital hematoma, can appear due to trauma or blows to the face, as in cases of accidents during contact sports, but it can also appear after nose or cosmetic surgery, for example.
These tips can be done at home when the area is just swollen, painful and purple, to help speed up recovery from black eye. However, if the area is bloody or soiled with dirt or other substances, or a fracture is suspected, you should go to the emergency room immediately.
7 tips to remove purple from your eyes
Some ways to remove purple from your eyes are:
1. Apply cold compresses
Applying cold compresses to the area where the eye is black helps reduce pain and relieve swelling there.
It is recommended that cold compresses be applied immediately after the episode of trauma or blow, and for up to 48 hours afterwards.
To make a cold compress, you must place ice inside a thermal bag or place the gel bag in the freezer to cool, and then wrap the bag or gel bag in a clean, dry towel and apply it to the purple skin.
The maximum time for total use of the cold compress is 15 minutes, but this procedure can be carried out several times a day, with intervals of approximately 1 hour.
It is important not to press the compress over the eye and not to apply ice or a cold compress directly to the skin, to avoid burns.
After 48 hours, the region should be less swollen and painful and the purple mark should be more yellowish, which means the injury has improved.
From this point on, it may be best to place warm compresses on the area, leaving it on the affected eye until it cools down. Whenever it gets cold, you should change the compress for another one that is warm.
The total time used for warm compresses should be approximately 20 minutes, twice a day.
3. Perform manual lymphatic drainage
Manual lymphatic drainage to remove purple from the eye helps unclog the lymphatic vessels, reducing swelling and purpleness in a few minutes, but it needs to be done correctly to achieve your goals.
To perform manual lymphatic drainage, you must place your fingers on the side of the face and slide them in a circular motion from the outer corner of the eye to the back of the ears.
Another massage that can be performed is by placing your fingers on the upper eyelid and, using circular movements, direct the lymph to the ears. See how to perform lymphatic drainage on your face.
4. Apply bruise ointment
Bruise ointments, such as mucopolysaccharide polysulfate ointment, which has the trade name Hirudoid, can be applied to help remove the bruise from the eye caused by blows or trauma.
This ointment can be applied 3 to 4 times a day, until symptoms disappear, or as directed by a doctor.
Care must be taken not to apply Hirudoid ointment to the eye. If accidental contact occurs, the eye should be washed thoroughly with water and consult an ophthalmologist.
5. Use chamomile tea
Chamomile tea can be used in the form of compresses applied to the black eye, as it has anti-inflammatory and calming properties, which help to relieve swelling and discomfort.
To make a chamomile tea compress, add 20 to 30 g of dried or fresh chamomile flowers to 500 mL of boiling water and let it rest for 15 minutes.
Then strain and let it cool naturally or place the chamomile infusion in the refrigerator for 10 to 20 minutes. Wet a gauze pad and apply it to the closed eye for 15 to 30 minutes, at least twice a day.
Another option is to use a chamomile tea bag to prepare the infusion and apply the bag to the affected eye, after it has cooled in the refrigerator.
6. Apply slug gel
Aloe vera gel, extracted from the leaves of the medicinal plant Aloe vera, helps lighten the skin and reduce inflammation caused by blows or trauma to the periorbital region, making it another good option for removing purple from the eye. See other benefits of aloe vera.
To use aloe vera gel, you must wash the aloe leaves, cut them in half and remove the gel from the leaf, placing it in a clean, dry container.
Then, moisten a gauze pad with the gel and apply it to the area with the purple spot on the skin about 3 times a day.
It is important not to use the bark of the aloe leaf, which has toxic effects, but only the transparent gel inside the leaf.
Before using aloe vera gel, you should do a test by rubbing a little of the gel on the back of your hand to find out if you are allergic. If the skin becomes red or irritated, using aloe vera gel is not recommended.
7. Apply arnica ointment
Arnica ointment has an anticoagulant action and is recommended for bruises caused by blows or trauma, helping to remove the purple from the eye more quickly.
This ointment can be found in pharmacies or prepared at home. Learn how to prepare arnica ointment.
Read too: 7 home remedies for bruises (and how to prepare)
When to see the doctor
It is recommended to go to the emergency room when in the following situations:
- Worsening of the purple eye or swelling;
- Severe headache or dizziness;
- Blurred or double vision;
- Nausea or vomiting;
- Bleeding or clear discharge from the nose and/or ears;
- Bruise behind the ears.
These symptoms may be indicative of fractures at the base of the skull that should be treated immediately by a doctor in the hospital.
