- Can swelling be delayed?
- What causes delayed swelling?
- How long before swelling goes down?
- How do you make swelling go down fast?
Can swelling be delayed?
Inflammation, swelling, and spasms in tissues can take either minutes or hours to develop, all while you're still using that part of the body and causing more trauma. The pain then shows up after the inflammation has developed and feels like it was delayed even though the injury has been there for hours.
What causes delayed swelling?
When soft tissue is damaged, there is usually immediate pain along with immediate or delayed swelling (excessive swelling can slow the healing process – see treatment below). Stiffness is also very common as a result of the trauma and swelling. Bruising may also develop after 24-48 hours.
How long before swelling goes down?
Most swelling treatment can be done at home. The vast majority of injuries will heal and the swelling will dissipate after a few days. If you have prolonged swelling or if it gets gradually worse instead of better, see a doctor.
How do you make swelling go down fast?
Applying an ice-pack or cold compress to an injury is the fastest way to deal with immediate swelling. It helps reduce swelling by restricting blood flow to the area and slowing down cellular metabolism. Cold therapy systems and ice baths are other methods you can use to apply cold to the area.