Bumps n Bruises.

[donnydarkoIRL]

When in the gym an English Trainer once told me arnica was an essential part of every boxer's training bag.

I don't actually carry arnica with me myself (Always thinking positive) but I do bring Tiger Balm with me. I just lather it on my shoulders and neck to loosen me out.

Now I have a spot on my right forearm, closer to the elbow than the wrist. I took and elbow there just before Christmas, it swelled and was bruised for quite a few days. I trained through it and it troubled me little. A month later I took a punch to the area and the same pain flared and the exact same area became swollen. Again I trained through it (I wouldn't stop if it was in a fight) and it bothered me little.

Last night in sparring I took another elbow to the forearm accidentally and the exact same spot is sore and swollen. I rubbed Tiger balm on it and although it helped the pain, it did little for the swelling.

In situations such as these what do you trainers and fighters do?

I live about 16 miles from the gym so I don't have Ice easily available.
Basically I 'm looking for you guys little tricks and tips on how you deal with Bumps, bruises and cuts after training.

[yvonne]

Alright they mate.I know you mentioned that your to far away from home to get ice for your unfortunate Bumps N Bruises while your in the Gym.Im a dab-hand on First Aid and i do know that if you recieve any inflammation that to run whatever is inflamed under a running tap of cold water for 10-15minutes.What i find very good is WITCH HAZEL!You can get hold of it fairly easy from any supermarket or a local shop.WITCH HAZEL is a great liquid that will bring out the bruise and gently soothe the inflammation on and around the bump and bruise.Apply it gently with a cotton swob.Just try and keep the WITCH HAZEL lotion in a cool place when storing after use because that will help it be nice and cold when you next need it!Good luck!

[donnydarkoIRL]

Nice one Yvonne!
There two great tips!
If ever my hands hurt I run the tap on them. I let it flow from the wrist to fingers and although I hate the feeling, it's a great help.

As for Witch Hazel, I had a cream which had it mixed with Tea tree, and it made for a poweful antiseptic and dis-infectant.

[yvonne]

Now then mate!It's no problem,your welcome.I hope me advice does you some good,im sure it will.You'll most likely to see the bruise appear to the top of the suface of the skin in a matter of a day or two.As the WITCH HAZEL soaks into the skin it helps the blood tissue(The Bruise)flow and reaction better around the injury,as a result makes the numbness of the bruise less painfull.Cheers for the Rep "N" Welcome note!

[iceman]

try ice, sometimes i do an ice bath but only do extremities for 5 minutes, too cold will shut your heart off for good. also ice ice baby...that should help, do it after training and it will still be effective

[donnydarkoIRL]

Something oft repeated and seldom adhered to; prevention is the cure.

When it comes to hands, I always wrap them well before training and often aplly a little tape bandage to the thumb and knuckle.

For the face, I guess vaseline would be important to everybody when avoiding cuts, but i rarely use it.

[Shamrock]

Something oft repeated and seldom adhered to; prevention is the cure.

When it comes to hands, I always wrap them well before training and often aplly a little tape bandage to the thumb and knuckle.

For the face, I guess vaseline would be important to everybody when avoiding cuts, but i rarely use it.

I have quite high cheek bones and they become more prominent when I'm dehydrated. My trainer used to make me bathe my face in water every day (in addition to having a wash I hasten to add) and then apply baby lotion to it seemed to do the trick. Don't know if this is medically proven or just an old trainers way - he was into his seventies at the time... come to think of it the old git might just have been having a laugh at my expense - anyway it seemed to work.

[donnydarkoIRL]

I've heard of fighters as far back as the 20's and fifties soaking their faces in brine in order to toughen their skin from cutting.