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Eye Injury: First Aid for a Black Eye
Topic Overview
A black eye is a type of bruise. Simple bruises are treated with ice and by elevating the head. The bruise should be gone in 2 to 3 weeks.
- Apply ice or cold packs for 15 minutes 3 or 4 times a day during the first 48 hours to help reduce swelling. Place a cloth between the ice and the skin. The sooner you apply a cold pack, the less swelling will occur.
- Do not use chemical cooling packs. If the pack leaks, the chemicals could cause more eye damage. Do not use a raw piece of meat on a black eye.
- Keep the head raised to help reduce swelling.
- Be sure to look at the eyeball for possible injury.
- After the swelling is gone, warm compresses may relieve pain.
Medicine you can buy without a prescriptionTry an over-the-counter medicine to help treat your fever or pain: |
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Safety tipsBe sure to follow these safety tips when you use an over-the-counter medicine: |
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- Carefully read and follow all directions on the medicine bottle and box.
- Do not use more than the recommended dose.
- Do not take a medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to it in the past.
- If you have been told to avoid a medicine, call your doctor before you take it.
- If you are or could be pregnant, call your doctor before you take any medicine.
- Do not give aspirin to anyone younger than age 20 unless your doctor tells you to.
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Credits
Current as of: March 9, 2022
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:
William H. Blahd Jr. MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine
Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine
Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine
Current as of: March 9, 2022
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:William H. Blahd Jr. MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine & Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine & Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine
