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First aid · Australia

Bumps and bruises

Rest the injured area. For a minor bruise, use a cloth-wrapped cold pack for 10 minutes and elevate the area if comfortable. Severe pain or rapidly increasing swelling needs assessment.

Medical emergency? Call 000

What to do

  1. Check how it happened

    Check how the injury happened. A major impact or head injury may need more than home care.

  2. Rest and use a wrapped cold pack

    Rest the area and apply a wrapped cold pack for 10 minutes, repeating every 2–4 hours during the first 24–48 hours if needed.

    Take care. Do not put ice directly on skin.

  3. Raise the area if comfortable

    Raise an injured arm or leg on pillows if comfortable. Ask a pharmacist about pain relief.

    Take care. Do not force movement or try to straighten a deformed limb.

Know when to act

When to get help

  • Call 000 for breathing trouble or confusion after a head injury.
  • Seek urgent assessment for a deformed limb, severe pain, rapidly increasing swelling or inability to move the injured joint.

Keep checking

  • Frequent unexplained bruising, bruises across many areas or other bleeding needs medical advice.

Sources and last update

Content updated: 6 September 2026.

These sources inform the guidance. This independent resource is not a substitute for a first aid course or medical assessment. An editorial update is not independent clinical review. Source organisations have not endorsed this site.

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