A bruised cheekbone occurs when small blood vessels beneath the skin rupture, causing blood to leak into surrounding tissues. This common injury often results from blunt force trauma, such as a fall or impact to the face. While uncomfortable and noticeable, it typically resolves with time and care.
Recognizing a Bruised Cheekbone
A bruised cheekbone shows several characteristic signs. Immediately after an injury, the area may appear pink or red, with pain, tenderness, and swelling. Within one to two days, as oxygen depletes from the trapped blood, the bruise typically changes to a bluish or dark purple.
As healing progresses, the bruise undergoes further color transformations. Around five to ten days post-injury, it often turns green or yellow, indicating the body’s natural breakdown of hemoglobin. The final stage, appearing yellowish-brown or light brown, signifies the blood’s reabsorption. Other symptoms can include limitations in jaw or eye movement, and localized numbness in the cheek area.
The Healing Process and Its Duration
The healing duration for a bruised cheekbone varies, but most facial bruises fade within approximately two weeks. Minor bruises may resolve in a few days, while severe ones can extend for several weeks or longer.
The distinct color changes observed in a bruise are part of the body’s natural healing mechanism, where trapped blood is broken down and reabsorbed. This process involves the sequential degradation of hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells. The severity of the initial impact significantly influences healing time; deeper or more extensive bleeding prolongs recovery.
Several factors influence healing speed. The bruise’s location plays a role, as areas with richer blood flow, like the face, generally heal faster. Age can impact recovery, with older individuals potentially experiencing slower healing due to thinner skin and more fragile blood vessels. Overall health conditions such as diabetes, weakened immune systems, or poor circulation can also impede the process. Certain medications, including blood thinners or corticosteroids, and nutritional deficiencies in vitamins C or K may also slow down bruise resolution.
Managing Your Bruise and Knowing When to Get Help
Managing a bruised cheekbone at home often involves principles similar to the R.I.C.E. method, adapted for the face. Rest means avoiding activities that might worsen pain or re-injure the area. Apply a cold compress or ice pack to the bruised cheekbone for 10 to 20 minutes at a time, several times a day during the first 24 to 48 hours, to reduce swelling and limit internal bleeding. Always place a thin cloth barrier between the ice and your skin.
Sleeping with your head slightly raised on extra pillows can help minimize swelling by allowing fluids to drain. After the initial 36 to 48 hours, switch to warm compresses to promote increased blood flow, aiding in blood reabsorption. Over-the-counter pain relievers can manage discomfort, but avoid aspirin or ibuprofen immediately after injury, as they can sometimes increase bruising.
Seek medical attention if a bruised cheekbone indicates a more serious underlying injury. Consult a doctor if the bruise does not improve or worsens after two weeks. Other concerning signs include severe pain not relieved by home treatment, increasing swelling, redness, warmth, or pus, which could signal an infection.
New or worsening numbness, tingling, or weakness in the area also warrants medical consultation. Vision changes, double vision, difficulty moving the eyes, or problems with jaw movement, chewing, or opening the mouth could indicate a more complex injury, such as a facial fracture. Any noticeable deformity, unevenness of the face, a lump under the skin, or unexplained and frequent bruising should prompt a visit to a healthcare provider.