Bruises: what to do

 

If you are in percussion play, call it spanking, whipping, flogging, whatever, bruises are almost inevitable. They are the marks of the trade, to be worn as a proud proof of our games, as love bites (or hickeys) are for vanilla lovers.

 

Of course, if the mark if a love byte is embarrassing, the bruises of a beating are more so, especially because the rejection that "normal" people feels for our games. They can be also difficult to explain to a doctor suspecting signals of abuse, but they are our war wounds. 

 

What they are? 

Bruises (in medical lingo they are called ecchymoses) are hemorrhages (blood spills) under the skin that occur as a result of trauma to the skin itself or the underlying tissue. Small capillaries burst and blood seeps beneath the skin or layers of tissue and cause discoloration. Most bruises are not serious and look much worse than the actual injury but there can be complications from some. A bruise that is deep, swells or feels hot might be something more than just a minor black and blue spot. Heavy bruising can leave clots that can cause some very serious health risks. If there is swelling, fever or pain (real pain, not the normal pain associated with a spanking), you need to consult a physician.  

 

There are several kinds of bruises, that are called

• Petechiae: Pinpoint hemorrhages (<2 mm in diameter), occurring usually in groups.
• Purpura: (2 to 10 mm in diameter )
• Ecchymosis: (>10 mm in diameter )

There is also a related injury called hematoma, produced when the blood, instead of infiltrating in the surrounding tissues, accumulates in a bag, producing swelling. Hematomas are more painful, and can be a medical problem.

 

You should not hit the area again until the bruising disappears.

 

Can bruises be avoided?

I would say no. If you hit somebody with enough force, the bruising is unavoidable. Of course, the bruising is not going to be visible under normal clothing if you don't hit on visible areas, like the face and neck (unadvisable anyway), hands, arms and, in women, in the legs under the knee. (Of course, if she uses normal skirts. For allowing the use of shorts or short skirts, do not hit anywhere on the legs or thighs).

 

• Is easier to bruise if you hit repeatedly on the same area.

 

• With stronger blows, biggest and more serious will be the bruises.

 

• Bruising can be reduced by not hitting in areas protected mainly by muscles, as the thighs, arms and back. Choose fat protected areas (yes, the buttocks). 

 

• Hit with wide instruments, like paddles, or the hand. Narrow instruments as canes or whips will bruise more. Use softer (leather) paddles instead of wooden ones.

 

• Making the sub use tight fitting latex shorts will increase the pain of the spanking, while reducing the bruising. Also covering the area with a wet cloth can work.

 

• Some people bruises more easily than others. Seems to be that dark haired, olive or dark skinned people bruises less than blondes or redheaded whiter ones.

 

• Avoid hitting in areas with restricted blood circulation, as bound arms and legs. Use leather restraints instead of rope ones.

 

• General health also contributes. Drinking and smoking, that weakens the walls of the blood vessels and restrict circulation, favors bruising. A good diet, with the help of some multivitamins supplement containing riboflavonoids, vitamins C, E and K (be careful with the dosing) seems to help.

 

• The old trick of hitting with wet towels (be careful, they are heavy, and use them for hitting, not cracking them) was used to avoid bruising for a long time.

 

• Do not hit repeatedly on the same spot. Spread the spanking over a wider area.

 

• Some medications (blood thinners, medications for hypertension, certain antidepressants or aspirins among them), can increase bruising, as some illnesses also can. If you bruise too much, check with a doctor.

 

How a bruise looks?

At the very moment, it appears as a reddened, swollen and tender area. Actual reddening whitens if pressed, bruises don't.

 

They then change color with time:

0 to 2 days: red

2 to 5 days: blue, purple

5 to 7 days: green

7 to 10 days: yellow

10 to 14 days: brown

Disappears in 2 to four weeks.

 

As the speed of healing and color changes depend on the local volume of the blood spilled, the speed of the color changes varies, and the area will look as a rainbow after a few days.

 

Hematomas will look dark black, and are hot, hard and painful to the touch. Check them regularly, and consult a physician if they don't disappear.

 

And what can I do?

There is no cure for bruises but time, but you can help to reduce the damage. First, immediately after the fact, use ice to reduce the swelling and to stop blood spilling. Ice should not touch the skin. Wrap it in a piece of cloth. It can be left for periods of about twenty minutes, let the skin recover its temperature, and apply again. Of course, you can use icepacks that are sold for sport injuries.

 

Seems to be that gently tapping the spot and surrounding tissues help reducing the swelling

 

Use cold compresses and rise the injured area.

 

Soaking also helps. Sit (or whatever) on a cold (better) or lukewarm water filled tub. Do not use hot water, it can restart the blood spilling.

 

After 24 hours, change cold for hot. Use warm compresses and massage to help reabsorb the blood. 

 

You can also use arnica tinctures (available at drugstores or pharmacies everywhere, because they had been used at the effect for a long time) for application in the affected area. It helps reduce the pain and the swelling. A skin cream with vitamin K seems also to help.

 

Pain medication with acetaminophen or ibuprofen can also help (do not use aspirin, it slows clotting and can worsen the problem)

 

I've found that a massaging showerhead helps a lot. I have the one that is at the end of a hose, and use it (after the first 24 hours) in the hardest setting for massaging the affected area at the morning and before going to sleep. They are not very expensive, are good also for normal showers, and work wonders on my bruises.

 

A last notice: I'm not a doctor, and this "home medicine" advice can help, but if in any doubt, check with a physician. The embarrassment of explaining the problem will be less damaging that the consequences of an unattended injury.

 

Published: 04/24/03