You have a bruise (contusion) on your arm, wrist, hand, or fingers. Symptoms include pain, swelling, and changes in the color of your skin. The skin color change is from damaged small blood vessels bleeding below the skin. No bones are broken. This injury may take from a few days to a few weeks to heal. During that time, the bruise may change from a red color to purple-blue, to green-yellow, to yellow-brown.
Home care
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Unless another medicine was prescribed, you can take acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen to control pain. Talk with your health care provider before using these medicines if you have chronic liver or kidney disease or ever had a stomach ulcer or digestive bleeding.
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Raise the injured area to reduce pain and swelling. As much as possible, sit or lie down with the injured area raised about the level of your heart. This is especially important during the first 48 hours.
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Ice the injured area to help reduce pain and swelling. To make an ice pack, put ice cubes in a plastic bag that seals at the top. Wrap the bag in a thin towel. Don't put ice directly on the skin. Apply to the bruised area for 20 minutes every 1 to 2 hours the first day. Continue this 3 to 4 times a day until the pain and swelling goes away.
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If a sling was provided, you may remove it to shower or bathe. To prevent joint stiffness, don't wear it for more than 1 week. Also, make sure your hand is slightly above the level of the elbow in the sling to prevent your hand from becoming swollen and discolored by gravity.
Follow-up care
Follow up with your health care provider, or as advised. Call if you're not improving in the next 1 to 2 weeks.
When to get medical advice
Call your health care provider right away if you have:
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Increased pain or swelling.
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Cold, blue, numb, or tingly fingers or hand.
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Signs of infection. These include warmth, drainage, or increased redness or pain around the injury.
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Inability to move the injured body part, the hand, or individual fingers.
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Frequent bruising for unknown reasons.
Online Medical Reviewer: Eric Perez MD
Online Medical Reviewer: Marianne Fraser MSN RN
Online Medical Reviewer: Ronald Karlin MD
Date Last Reviewed: 12/01/2024
© 2000-2026 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.
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