Any kind of injury can cause swelling of part of your body. A sprained ankle, accidentally hitting your arm or shin on a hard surface, or injuring your arm trying to lift a heavy bag. All these cause near-instant swelling at the trauma site. The inflammation at the trauma site is the body’s response to injury and is protective in nature. However, problems arise when the swelling aggravates, which in turn adds to the pain and could even lead to other complications.
Suggested read: All you need to know about treating irritable bowel syndrome with home remedies
Causes for swelling
Besides an injury there are other reasons for a part of your body to be swollen. The most common causes include:
- Pregnancy
- Hormonal fluctuations
- Injuries and/or sprains
- Pressure on ligaments of ankles
- High blood pressure
Home remedies for swelling due to an injury
Immediate attention needs to be paid to the swollen part of your body and treated in a timely fashion to avoid aggravation of the condition. There are many natural home remedies for swelling that could be caused by an injury, that help get rid of it fairly quickly. Take a look:
1. Apple cider vinegar
Image source: Google, copyright-free image under Creative Commons License
Apple cider vinegar is another amazing home remedy for bringing down swelling caused by an injury. It possesses anti-inflammatory properties, along with alkalizing ones, that help reduce inflammation and pain. Additionally, it contains calcium, potassium, and other essential minerals that help ease inflammation and pain.
Remedies
- In a clean bowl, mix together equal parts of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar and water. Warm this solution in the microwave for a bit. Soak a towel in it, wring out the excess, and wrap it around the affected area for about 10 minutes. Repeat this remedy twice a day for best results.
- Add 2 tablespoons of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar to 1 glass of warm water. Add a bit of honey to this and drink it twice a day to bring down the swelling effectively.
2. Arnica
Arnica is an herb that is quite effective in bringing down the bruising and swelling, thanks to its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. Additionally, it helps improve blood circulation, thus speeding up the healing process.
Remedies
- Dilute 6 drops of arnica essential oil in a carrier oil like olive oil. Use this to gently massage the swollen area a few times every day till the swelling subsides.
- Applying arnica cream or lotion is also helpful in bringing down the swelling.
Tip: Be careful not to apply arnica cream on broken skin.
3. Cold compress
Image source: Google, copyright-free image under Creative Commons License
A cold compress helps bring down the swelling considerably, especially if it’s applied in the first 72 hours post the injury. The cold temperature helps numb the nerves, which in turn helps bring down the swelling and inflammation.
Remedy
- Take a thin towel and wrap a few ice cubes in it. Apply this cold pack on the affected area for about 10 minutes. Repeat this remedy every three hours or so till the swelling comes down.
Tip: Do not apply ice cubes directly on the skin as it could cause frostbite.
4. Compress
Compressing the injured area is another effective remedy that helps bring down the swelling. Not only does it provide stability to the affected area, it also helps prevent fluid accumulation in the same. This in turn helps bring down the pain and swelling.
Remedy
- Buy an ACE wrap or a similar elastic bandage and wrap it around the affected area by putting pressure. Keep it on during the day till the swelling subsides. Remember to remove the bandage while going to bed at night.
Tip: Do not wrap the ACE bandage so tightly as to cut off proper blood circulation to the affected area.
5. Coriander
Image source: Pixabay, under Creative Commons License
Coriander seeds are known to possess anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce the swelling.
Remedy
- Take a saucepan and add 1 tablespoon each of coriander and cumin seeds, along with 500ml of water. Bring this to a boil and let it simmer till the water is reduce to 1/4th of the original volume. Strain this solution and add a bit of honey and ginger powder for taste. Drink this concoction twice a day till the swelling subsides.
Suggested read: All you need to know about treating scalp acne with home remedies
6. Elevation
Poor blood circulation is known to cause swelling in certain parts of the body due to injuries. And, elevating the injured area above chest level is very helpful in reducing the swelling. It basically provides relief from inflammation and pain, while also helping eliminate waste products from the body. It is known to help promote the healing process as well.
Remedy
- Place your swollen hands or fingers on the armrest of the sofa or on top of pillows to elevate them.
- For swollen leg, ankle, or arm, lie down on the bed, place a couple of pillows under the affected area to help elevate them.
- Another remedy is to use a sling to keep your arm or leg elevated.
7. Epsom salt soak
Epsom salt helps bring down the swelling as well as pain following an injury. Epsom salt is made of magnesium sulfate, and it’s known to help improve blood circulation and relax stressed muscles. This is especially helpful in bringing down the swelling right about 48 hours after injury.
Remedies
- Fill a small tub full of warm water and add 2 tablespoons of Epsom salt to it. Dissolve it completely and soak the affected part of the body in it for 15 minutes. Repeat this remedy up to thrice a week for best results.
- If your shoulders or legs are affected, then pour half a cup of Epsom salt in a bathtub full of warm water. Dissolve it and soak in it for 15 minutes, at least twice a week.
8. Ginger
Image source: Pixabay, under Creative Commons License
Ginger is very helpful in bringing down the swelling caused by an injury. It contains a compound called gingerol, that possesses anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Additionally, it also improves blood circulation, which helps relieve muscle pain.
Remedies
- Add 1 tablespoon of ginger slices to 2 cups of water and bring this to a boil. Let it simmer for 10 minutes, before straining it. Stir in a bit of honey and drink it while it’s still warm. Drink this tea thrice a day for best results.
- Dilute a few drops of ginger oil in 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Use this to gently massage the affected area thrice a day to help with the swelling.
9. Turmeric
Image source: Google, copyright-free image under Creative Commons License
Turmeric is another excellent home remedy to help bring down the swelling and the pain. It contains curcumin, along with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that help reduce pain and swelling.
Remedies
- In a clean bowl, mix together 2 tablespoons of turmeric powder and 1 tablespoon of coconut oil. Gently rub this paste all over the affected area and let it dry on its own. Rinse it off using lukewarm water and pat dry with a soft towel. Use this remedy thrice a day till the swelling goes down.
- To 2 cups of milk, add 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder. Bring this to a boil and let it simmer till it’s a golden color. Add honey to sweeten it and drink this twice a day to speed up the healing process.
10. Warm oil massage
Massaging the affected area is helpful in bringing down the swelling. It also helps relax sore muscles while improving blood circulation.
Remedy
- Warm some olive oil and dab it on the affected area. Use your fingertips to gently massage the affected area for about 5 minutes. Let it stay on for a few hours. Repeat this remedy several times a day for best results.
Suggested read: 13 amazingly effective home remedies for fever blisters that actually WORK!
Additional tips
- Keep yourself hydrated by drinking lots of water to help bring down any kind of swelling.
- Stop wearing high-heeled shoes but practical ones that will help you walk comfortably.
- Avoid salt consumption when there’s swelling due to an injury since it may contribute to water retention, thus aggravating the swelling.
- Low-impact exercise is known to help bring down general swelling. However, be careful not to exercise in the first 48 hours after the injury.
- Practice balancing exercises to improve your stability.
- To prevent future exercises, always warm up your muscles and stretch before and after exercise, and also while playing sports.
These are all the amazingly effective home remedies for swelling due to an injury. For more updates on health tips and fitness secrets, subscribe to our newsletter today!
Featured image source: Google, copyright-free image under Creative Commons License
Facebook
Disqus
Google + 
