ALTERNATIVE THERAPY SERIES NO: 26 BLACK EYE

Kay Kay Healthcare Ltd.

BLACK EYE




SYMPTOMS

• Bruising and swelling of the eyelid and soft tissue around the eye, sometimes accompanied by broken blood vessels in the white of the eye. The discoloration starts out purple or blue; as the bruise heals, it may turn green or yellow before disappearing, usually in about a week.



WHAT IS BLACK EYE

Like many bruises, a “shiner” may be nothing to worry about and will heal of its own accord in a few days. In some cases , however, a black eye is a sign of more serious injury to the eye or the skull. Any damage to the eyeball that causes it to become red and swollen must be evaluated by an ophthalmologist or other physician; an eye injury could involve a detached retina or lead to glaucoma. A fracture in the ring of bones around the eye may trap muscle or soft tissue and can impair vision; surgery may be required to correct the condition. 

CAUSES

Most black eyes are the result of a blow that causes bleeding beneath the skin, producing the characteristic blue-black discoloration. A skull fracture can cause black eyes, in which case both eyes are usually affected. People with sinusitis from allergies sometimes get “allergic shiners” darkening under the eyes cause by inflame and engorged blood vessels.



TREATMENT

Applying something cold to a black eye works in two ways: it helps to reduce swelling and to constrict blood vessels, which in turn stop the internal bleeding. Putting a cold steak on black eye is a needlessly expensive variation; you can save money by using an ice pack or a package of frozen vegetables, which work 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 as aspirin or ibuprofen, either of which will also help reduce inflammation.



CONVENTIONAL MEDICINE

A doctor will recommended applying an ice pack or a cloth soaked in a ice cold water and wrung out hold the ice pack or cold compress to the eye for up to 10 minutes, being careful not to apply pressure. You might try putting crushed ice in a plastic bag and taping it to the forehead. Repeat the cold treatment for 5 to 10 minutes every hour for 24 hours or as long as swelling is present.

If the eyeball itself is damaged or if vision is affected, your doctor or ophthalmologist will determine the nature and extent of the injury and give appropriate treatment. If the eye is protruding from the eye socket, surgery may be necessary.



ALTERNATIVE CHOICES

Until the beginning of this century, leeches were used to stuck blood from around a black eye. That treatment actually did relieve the pressure, but it’s thankfully a thing of the past. Today other nonmedical remedies may be helpful.

HERBAL THERAPY

You may want to gently apply a compress made with chamomile (Matricaria recutita). Chamomile is said to reduce the fragility of tiny capillaries and to serve as an anti-inflammatory agent.



HOMEOPATHY

A homeopath may recommended various over the counter remedies for black eye; be sure to follow label instruction carefully. Arnica (12X) may help speed the reabsorption of escaped blood. If skin is unbroken, Arnica cream around the eye may help reduce bruising. If bruising is slow to clear and pain is relieved only by a cold, try Ledum (12X), three doses a day for four days. If bones around the eyes are very sore or the eyeball itself injured, Symphytum (12X), three doses a day, up to four days, may help relieve the pain. For sever shooting or radiating pains around the eye, Hypericum (12X) once an hour for up to four hours may help relieve pain and speed healing.



NUTRITION AND DIET

A good balanced diet with plenty of protein, vitamins, and minerals is important in the healing of any injury. In particular, bromelain, the enzyme in raw pineapple, may help reduce bruising. Eat fresh pineapple or take bromelain capsules, available in health food stores.



AT HOME REMEDIES

• for a black eye that is not severally damaged, applying ice and taking a painkiller are probably all that’s necessary. Boxing trainers minimize facial swelling by using a gadget that looks like a small metal iron but is cold. You can get the same effect with a cold can of soda or a bag is clean. And hold it highly against the cheek or forehead, not the eye itself.

• Be careful not to go overhead with cold treatment. Even though the swelling may be painful, it is one of the body’s healing responses. You want to control excessive swelling without inhibiting the repair process. Your own good sense will tell you how much cold is too much. Most swelling reaction to mild injuries last only a few hours, so you shouldn’t need an ice pack after the first day. If the pain and swelling persist after an hour or two of intermittent cold application, the injury is significant and should be seen by a doctor.



!!CAUTION!!

If you have black eye, blowing your nose may rupture more blood vessels around the damage facial tissue. If the injury that cause your black eye also fractured the bone of the eye socket, the pressure of blowing your nose could cause additional damage to an already unstable eyeball. Also, never try to force open an eyelid that is swollen shut; doing so could further injure the skin or the eye.