Facial Contusion
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jun 5, 2024.
A facial contusion is a bruise that appears on your face after an injury. A bruise happens when small blood vessels tear but skin does not. Blood leaks into nearby tissue, such as soft tissue or muscle.
DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS:
Return to the emergency department if:
- You have a fever.
- You have watery, clear fluid draining from your nose.
- You have changes in your vision or eye appearance.
- You have changes or pain with eye movement.
- You have tingling or numbness in or near the injured area.
Call your doctor if:
- You find a new lump in the injured area.
- Your symptoms do not improve with treatment.
- You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.
Medicines:
- Medicine may be used to treat or prevent pain or swelling.
- Take your medicine as directed. Contact your healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not helping or if you have side effects. Tell your provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Keep a list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs you take. Include the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency.
Help your facial contusion heal:
- Rest the area around the bruise, or use it less than usual.
- Apply ice to decrease swelling and pain. Ice may also help prevent tissue damage. Use an ice pack, or put crushed ice in a plastic bag. Cover the bag with a towel and place it on your bruise for 15 to 20 minutes every hour or as directed.
- Elevate your head to help decrease pain and swelling. Use pillows, blankets, or rolled towels to keep your head elevated.
- Do not massage the area or put heating pads on the bruise right after your injury. Heat and massage may slow healing. Your healthcare provider may tell you to apply heat after several days. At that time, heat will start to help the injury heal.
Prevent a facial contusion:
- Use safety belts and child restraints.
- Use safety helmets when you ride a bicycle or motorcycle.
- Use a mouth and face guard during sports.
Follow up with your doctor as directed:
You may need to return within a week to have your injury checked again. Write down any questions you have so you remember to ask them in your follow-up visits.
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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.
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