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Dry eyes, looks like I have black eyes

Posted , 6 users are following.

DrDustin
DrDustin

I am currently 19 and this problem has been torturing me everyday for around 6 years now. Underneath my eyes, even more so under my right eye, it looks as if I have a black eye. They are always irritated and feel dry, there are small bumps where the blackish/purpilish color appears. I am very self-concious about this, and ever since the problem began, almost everyday someone would ask what happened to my eyes. I don't know what to do. I've tried taking allergy pills, eyedrops, I have a healthy diet and I am very active. I have hated going into public for the past 6 years because of how bad I feel about myself, so I stay isolated as often as possible. Please if anyone can identify my problem and provide a solution, you would change my life.

0 likes, 13 replies

13 Replies

  • lee12629
    lee12629 DrDustin

    Posted

    Hi,my son had something similar to what i see,i believe he was told to wash the eye lids and under the eye with baby shampoo,and rinse well. He was told to not get it in his eye. He also had dry areas and used some kind of over the counter mild skin lotion. Sounds definitely like dry eye. Probably where the glands in your eyelids become blocked? My sons general practicioner knew right away what it was. His problem is pretty much resolved. I have no idea if youve seen a doctor or not,I would go to an optometrist and probably a dermatologist if possible. Keep us posted.
    • DrDustin
      DrDustin lee12629

      Posted

      Thank you for your response, I will try the baby shampoo and see what the results are
    • Light
      Light lee12629

      Posted

      Is what you describe blepharatis?

      That is usually treated with baby shampoo in water rubbed very gently with a Q tip along the upper and lower eyelids. But there is much more to that treatment and it that's what's wrong, check it out first.

      Personally I haven't heard of blepharitis affecting the under eye area.

    • lee12629
      lee12629 Light

      Posted

      Just saying what my son had to do,he would get very red and irritated around his eyes. What I said got rid of it.
  • Light
    Light DrDustin

    Posted

    I find it hard to believe you've been keeping yourself away from people for six years without cheking out with a GP, an ophthalmologist or a dematologist in all this time.

    So what did they say?

    But now that I've been able to enlarge your picture, it looks to me no more than a common skin variation, where the under-eye area is darker than the rest. Very common and nothing to be self conscious about at all. Certainly nothing to keep you from hanging out with friends.

    At your age you should be out there having a good time.

    If it is really making you suffer, your GP can pescribe a specially matched dermatologically prepared skin cover-up. A kind of make-up for discolorations. You get to match your skin colour against a choice of about 50 colour variations and if you get a good match it can be almost invisible.

    Is it the skin that's dry or the eye? Dry skin can be treated with simple face cream and dry eyes with a wide variety of eye drops and gels.

    Normally a very healthy diet of veggies and fruit might make a difference, but you say you already eat a healthy diet. Try a nutritionist to get the balance right.

     

    • DrDustin
      DrDustin Light

      Posted

      I know it may sound like a long time, and after being to the docter he said it was "probably" allergies.

      The reason I have become so self-concious about it is literally almost everyday someone would ask me , who hit you in the eye? Even while I was in basic training the drill sergeants would destroy me because they thought I had been fighting, good times.

      It is both the skin and the eyes that feel dry and irritated, even after taking allergy pills, eye drops, and nasal spray which the docter said might help, none of those caused any change.

    • lee12629
      lee12629 Light

      Posted

      Tear film has 3 layers so best to know what layer is causing the problems as drops vary according to which has the deficiancy.
    • Light
      Light DrDustin

      Posted

      As far as I can see, the two things need to be approached separately: If it is blepharits, which can create a kind of crustiness along the inside of the eyelid, then the treatment is outlined online.

      If it is an allergy, then allergy testing would be appropriate...keep a diary of what you eat, what the weather's like and what polluants you might be exposed to, and monitor how your eyes feel/look in relation to those variables.

      One approach to those who want to know who has been knocking you about in the eye, is to laugh, make up a very over-the-top dramatic story (about how you valiantly saved the life fo a damsel in distress, for eg???) and let it all roll off you. That'll shut them up. And you get to have a laugh into the bargain.

  • lee12629
    lee12629 DrDustin

    Posted

    Me again,maybe its caused by rubbing your eyes so much because of irritation. The good news is,you can cover it up,there is makeup that is used to cover dark circles,no one will ever know,been doing it for years.
  • Marina_Dee
    Marina_Dee DrDustin

    Posted

    This may be a combination of dry eye combined with eczema under the eye. Try using artificial tears from the pharmacy[no need for a prescription] and also at night  use an emollient under the eye. Try olive oil for a start or even plain old Vaseline. You really dont need to feel so self conscious about this,but need to persevere with any eye drops you are given    If one type dont give you relief there are so many others you can try.   Dont neglect this as it could get worse and then infections can start. 
    • DrDustin
      DrDustin Marina_Dee

      Posted

      Thanks for the advice, I picked up some of these artificial tears yesterday!
    • Light
      Light Marina_Dee

      Posted

      Yes. This is a good diagnosis. Eczema can make the skin rough and red and a bit itchy. The oils and stuff are good, but if it doesn't work there are creams for eczema.
    • Marina_Dee
      Marina_Dee Light

      Posted

      Oil and vaseline are good for a start as they shouldnt irritate already irritated eyes.  If they dont work,then a doctors advice is needed for an apropriate eczema cream for the face and especially near eyes.
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