A hickey is a mark or bruise that can be caused by a bug bite or even when the skin is sucked hard. Generally, hickey is also termed as love bite. It is considered to be a funny and passionate act as you receive pleasure by bearing pain. Most of the people try to conceal hickey by wearing a neck scarf or turtleneck, or by pulling long strands around neck. But, all these tricks help to cover the mark for a short duration. To get rid of hickeys fast, you can use natural remedies at home.
Cause of Hickeys
The smallest blood vessels in our body are capillaries and when someone sucks your skin, capillaries get damaged and ruptured, resulting in bleeding. Then, the blood clots. Initially, the color of hickey is red, but as there is no oxygen supply to the affected area, it turns out brown or purple.
Symptoms of Hickeys
- Swelling in the affected area.
- Blood clot as it is a type of hematoma.
- Bruise like mark that is brownish or purplish in color.
- As a severe effect, one might get a stroke.
- In an extreme case, one might also get paralyzed due to sudden damage of nerves that cause internal bleeding.
Home Remedies for Hickeys
Here are some of the effective home remedies to get rid of hickeys.
1. Cold Compressing
Cold compressing is one of the effective and simple treatments against hickeys. Take a spoon and refrigerate it in the freezer for about 30 minutes. Take out and press it over the affected area. Pressing with cold spoon will regulate the blood flow in the affected area, thereby immediately removing swelling and clotting.
To get rid of hickey on lips, you can put ice cubes.
2. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera works wonder on almost all skin ailments, and hickey isn’t an exception. Squeeze out some aloe vera pulp and apply it over the affected area and let it sit for at least 10 minutes. Aloe vera gel will reduce the sensitivity of the affected area and will also provide you a soothing sensation, helping you in fast removal of hickey.
3. Warm Compressing
Besides cold pressing, warm compressing is also an efficacious treatment against hickey. This method is useful if your hickey has already lasted for 3-4 days. This is used to lower the level of swelling and pain. Take a clean towel and dip it in hot water till it completely soaks hot water. Now, gently press it over the affected area, giving enough heat of the towel to hickey. Repeat the process 4-5 times for a relieving effect.
4. Finger Massage
Don’t use this method if your hickey is fresh as it can be painful enough. When your hickey gets a few days older, massage gently with your finger as this will increase the blood circulation in the area, and will keep the pain and swelling at bay. You can use almond oil, olive oil or cocoa butter for massaging.
5. Toothbrush Comb
You can also get rid of hickey by using a toothbrush with soft bristles. Take a toothbrush with soft bristles and rub it gently over the affected area. It is an effective treatment for hickey.
6. Peppermint
Peppermint is another effective way to treat the problem of hickey. Peppermint, being cold in nature, gives you a chilling sensation. Apply a layer of peppermint oil or toothpaste (as most toothpaste contains peppermint/mint as a major ingredient) over the affected area. This will smoothen up the flow of blood in that area and will remove the mark quickly and effectively.
7. Eye Drops
Pour eye drops on hickey. After 1-2 minutes, rinse with cold water. This remedy will reduce the redness of the skin, associated with hickey.
8. Over-the-counter Medications
When none of the above home remedies works in your favor, try hitting for over-the- counter medications. There are quite a few drugs and crèmes that are effective against hickeys, like:
- Aspirin : They are effective against hickey and its pain.
- Excedrin : This one is formulated to thin the blood and smoothen it around the area, affected by hickey.
- Vitamin K : This one is used to prevent clotting in hickey area and keep the flow smooth. You can also apply vitamin C and zinc creams for effective results.
9. Tea Bags
Put a tea bag in the boiling water for 2-3 minutes. Then, put it on the hickey until it cools off. It is a good hickey removal remedy.
