The biggest part of black eye treatment is usually just waiting for the black eye to go away. Bruises take time to heal, and a black eye will generally heal within a week or so. Some people also rely on applying something cold to the surface of the eye as a way to reduce swelling, and many people take over-the-counter pain medications to relieve any discomfort. If a black eye is severe enough or accompanied by other suspicious symptoms, it might suggest more serious head trauma, and this could be a good enough reason for someone to seek emergency medical attention.
The reason bruises happen so often around the eye is because of the shape of the facial bones. Cheeks are generally somewhat sharp, especially on people with prominent features. When something strikes the face, a person's flesh will tend to be squeezed against the cheeks, leading to a bruise. People often get black eyes during any kind of impact against their face, including everything from a fight to a car wreck or a fall.
One of the most common black eye treatment methods is to put something cold on the face. The most traditional way to do this is with an uncooked slab of meat, but experts say that the bacteria on uncooked meat can make that a dangerous method. A more recommended approach is to use an ice pack or something similar to reduce swelling and pain. There are also people who like to use heat on the eye in the later stages of the healing process because they believe it will accelerate removal of the discoloration.
Another aspect of black eye treatment is pain relief. Most of the time this will simply involve a purchase of some kind of over-the-counter medication, typically ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Ibuprofen will generally be more effective for reducing swelling, but both have the potential to help relieve the pain, as do a few other similar medications.
The biggest aspect of black eye treatment is simply to wait. Black eyes generally take time to heal, and the exact time can vary depending on the severity of the injury, but most experts say that the eye will usually be better within seven to ten days. Sometimes black eyes can be serious signs of more significant injuries, like broken facial bones or concussions. In those cases, people will often suffer more severe symptoms, such as greater pain and more swelling. Another thing to watch for is any case where a person has two black eyes, which might suggest something very serious is going on internally.
