What Are the Treatments for a Black Eye?
To treat a black eye, begin with basic first aid. Applying something cold to a black eye works in two ways: It helps to reduce swelling and it constricts blood vessels, which in turn stops the bleeding below the skin. Putting a cold steak on a black eye is a needlessly expensive variation. You can save money by making your own crushed ice pack or grab a package of frozen vegetables, which works just as well. Besides cold treatment, there’s not much that can be done for a black eye except to avoid doing anything that could cause further injury, such as putting pressure on the swollen eye or trying to force it open. If you need a pain reliever, take an analgesic such acetaminophen (Tylenol, for example).
