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IV Bruise Treatments

S

Special-T.B.K

Bluelighter
Joined
Nov 18, 2004
Messages
543
Hi folks- It's been a while since my last post here at Bluelight... Anyway I was hoping as helpful as you all I would come here- although my searches have been fairly fruitless. The most I found was - http://www.bluelight.ru/vb/showthread.php?t=38304

So I have some Bruises from IVing that I need some advice on treating- ie: Making the bruises disappear.

They are a purple colour and stand out quite a bit- 2 of them have 15mm-20mm white spots around the injection site - meanwhile other misses are spotless haha. So I would like to make them go away. Obviously not IVing would work well but it is not something I do often and only when I have speed, Don't inject Ice or anything else. I do it probably once every 5-8 months.

Anyway- Could someone with experience help me out? perhaps a brand of cream or something? Eat more fish or whatever- I can't cover up- Due to my work environment.

Cheers
SpecTBK=D
 
I think time is the best treatment for this. I once tried a bruise treatment cream on IV bruises but it really didn't make any real difference. I recommend improving your IV'ing technique. I haven't had a bruise in ages, and haven't missed in years.

Also I advise that you apply some pressure to the injection site with your thumb for a couple of minutes after shooting up, I believe that this helps.

Just another bit of advise, if you cant cover it up due to your type of work try wearing an elbow brace (like the ones you get from the chemist). It covers it up and if anyone asks you can say you strained your elbow/forearm playing indoor cricket or something.
 
Thanks for the reply; I also noticed the bruise cream didn't go too well. I may go with the covering of it.

I do need to get my technique better and I would like to be able to rotate from arm to arm. But I need a way by not fuckin them up more...
If anyone else has ideas too keep em coming.

SpecTBK=D
 
we've got this IV Complications and Info Thread in OD

the obvious is make-up and/or long sleeves and clothing that covers the area until it heals. though, obviously this time of year it's not overly comfortable wearing long sleeves. and i just noticed you said this isn't an option because of your work.

also there is antibiotic ointments you can use. there's an american equivalency of the Neosporin kind but it's slipped my mind at the moment. it's not available OTC, you have to get your doctor to prescribe it but it's not too hard to acquire. these aren't going to cure the marks at all, they only help them heal and reduce visible marks.

i've personally had good sucess ridding track marks (scar tissue) by using fresh aloe vera and vitamin A, D and E creams.

it really sounds like you need to work on your technique though because technique really is everything when you're injecting. if you're rotating sites and veins regularly, realistically you should never have the worry of track marks. use as smaller needle gauge as possible. i've recently swapped over from 27g insulin rigs to 31g tips. most exchanges and pharmacy will stock 27's as a standard but if you ask for smaller gauges they more often than not have them. i purchased a 100ct box for about $23, so thats 23cents per syringe! bargain!

also after you have finished the injection it is good practive to put pressure on the site for a minute or two with a wipe (not an alcohol swab, it increases the bruising) as to help the blood clot as well. hot compresses will also help eliminate chance of bruising and markings.

i've recently been using 3mL & 5mL barrels and 26g tips that screw on and i've had no problem with marks apart from the inevitable red dot that will generally clear up over night or by the next day sometime.

some links to check out
safer injecting
CRA Guides
guide to safer IM and IV injection
 
the scar tissue i have seems it will never go away.. i dont bruise so badly.. but i have a few visible lines along my main injection veins.. hands/wrists and crooks of my arms (the crooks are the ones that stand out)
 
I get bruiss the further I inject up my arm and these days this is getting to be the only place that hasnt been used over and or so I need to use it sometimes and it bruises up bad for a long time so I definitely need something to get rid of the bruises.
 
^unfortunately man, time will only heal.

i used to bruise a little up my bicep but this is going back a couple years; i sound like i'm old but i'm just about to turn 24 but i digress. it's more than likely because, and i'm not having a go at you, you may be a little unfit and your muscles not toned. start pumping some light arm weights; dumbells, barbells, rocks, whatever. and tone your arms up a bit and you'll notice the bruising stops:)

technique, technique, technique and good works (equipment)
 
^What is the purpose of that? just because you're against it...

the OP didnt ask about quitting intravenous use of drugs, he asked how to get rid of the evidence.
 
m3bmw1989 said:
Might be against what everyone else here has said, but why not try not IV'ing?
Click to expand...

he needs advice, that's what this website is about. we're providing harm reduction for these people.

you have a point, but they OP or any other person is here isn't concerned getting off the needle at the moment.
 
Bruising is bleeding under the skin - to some extent it will depend what you are injecting but really there should be no bruising from injecting say a cap of heroin.

Common errors that may increase bruising would be:
1) Using an alcohol swab after injecting - the isoprop in the swab prevents blood clotting and increases bleeding/bruising;
2) Incorrect tourniquet use. If you have to use a tourniquet to get a vein, you need to release it before you inject. If you leave the tournie tight while you push the plunger in, you are leaving the drugs nowhere to go
3)Of course missing the vein, putting the needle right through the vein, digging around for veins, and reusing needles (blunt after even 1 use) are all going to increase your chance of bruising.

Here's a reasonable guide to injecting - also here on same site.

And nice pic of blunt needle - originally from BD (needle/syringe manufacturers)
 
If you have good veins you don't need a tourniquet. Tourniquets often cause damage because of the pressure increase from injecting.

As ayjay says, diging around is bad.

Use the finest needle for your drug (heroin and speed - 29g). If you're injecting using pills make sure they're well filtered by using a wheel filter. You can then use a smaller needle.

Most needle and syringe programs will have information on vein care.

A good diet will help, and zinc supplements - the body needs the raw materials to repair itself. There's no evidence external creams help.
 
^just to clarify for anyone reading, you should always release the tourniquet after registering, then re-register again to make sure you haven't slipped out. never inject with the tounriquet still wrapped tightly.

the external creams help with superficial damage, nothing else.
 
Just re-reading the OP - it occurs to me some bruising may be from nature of injecting. I'm reading between the lines of course, but OP may be binging on speed over a couple of days - lots of injections, not much sleep. After you've been awake for 48 hours, your ability to give yourself a nice clean shot goes out the window.

So if that's what happening - the best solution is just to shorten your binge ;)
 
ayjay said:
After you've been awake for 48 hours, your ability to give yourself a nice clean shot goes out the window.

So if that's what happening - the best solution is just to shorten your binge ;)
Click to expand...

Wow. I am not into this scene at all and never even realised something like that would happen but it makes perfect sense. I can remember years ago thinking that dead nangs still hadn't been punctured as my eyesight was that shot. That is pretty scary.

Thanks for posting that ayjay.
 
I've found that bepanthen works ok, it kinda clears it up a little bit quicker than if you do nothing, but improving technique is key.

When I first started IVing speed it was horrible! I'd miss the vein, have bad bruises etc, but after the 5-6-7th time, I got the hang of it and now I only get the tiny red dot and that's pretty much gone the next morning. The alcohol wipe after injecting thing is SO true, it makes it a million times worse. Usually I use a cotton wool ball to soak up any blood and i hold it there with my arm bent for about a minute (while the rush is kicking in) which stops any bleeding and also applies a bit of pressure.

Lol, a girl friend of mine applies a small amount of concealer to her little bruises, which helps in the coverup. She's a waitress and can't wear long sleeves etc, she once was asked about it and just said 'I had a blood test at the docs' and that was the end of it.. :)

Haha Ayjay, you're totally correct! I have a rule.. One shot, one sleep :P I won't re-dose unless I've had a good little rest.

Mav
 
Its all in the technique, I never get bruises when the shot goes down perfectly. Right now I have some tracks but no bruising what so ever, just 4-5 little dots.
 
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