HEALTH CONDITION

Black eye

A black eye is bruising and swelling around your eye, usually caused by a blow to the area, such as a punch or fall. It should get better within 2 to 3 weeks.

Things you can do yourself to ease a black eye

There are things you can do yourself to ease any pain or swelling from a black eye. Do gently hold an ice pack (or a bag of frozen peas) wrapped in a cloth to the area around your eye for about 10 to 20 minutes at a time, and repeat regularly during the first 1 to 2 days take painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen , for any pain after the first 2 days, gently apply a warm (not hot) heat pack or cloth to the area around your eye regularly during the day Don’t do not take aspirin unless prescribed by a doctor, as this can make the bruising worse do not press or rub the area around your eye do not put ice directly on your skin

Source: NHS, last reviewed 27 July 2023. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

This page is general information and is not medical advice. It does not replace a registered doctor, and it is not a prescription or a recommendation to use any medicine or test. Prices are listed prices and may change. Always follow the advice of your doctor or pharmacist.