Facial Contusion
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jun 5, 2024.
AMBULATORY CARE:
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.
Common signs and symptoms of a facial contusion:
- An area that may be black, blue, red, or darker than the skin around it
- Pain that increases when you touch the bruise or move part of your face near the bruise
- Swelling, bruising, or a lump at the site of the bruise or near it
- Stiffness or problems moving the bruised area
Seek care immediately 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.
Treatment
may not be needed. The bruise may become lighter or change to green or yellow as it heals. Treatment depends on the part of your body that is injured, and how serious your injury is. You may need any of the following:
- Medicine may be needed to treat or prevent pain or swelling.
- Aspiration is a procedure to drain pooled blood in your muscle. This prevents increased pressure in the muscle.
- Surgery may be done to repair a tear in the muscle or relieve pressure in the muscle caused by swelling.
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.
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.
Further information
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