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- $Unique_ID{BRK01957}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{How to Help "Baggy" Eyes}
- $Subject{Help hint hints suggestion suggestions bag bags Baggy eye Eyes
- irritant irritants irritation irritations eyelid eyelids dust smoke rubbing
- Exposure sun sunlight inflammation cell cells chemical chemicals cause causes
- blood vessel vessels capillary capillaries puffiness moisture moisturize
- eyelid eyelids puffy puffed dark-circle dark-circles}
- $Volume{}
- $Log{}
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- Copyright (c) 1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
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- How to Help "Baggy" Eyes
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- QUESTION: I admit that I like to party, and feel that's a good part of life.
- But I am a reliable guy, and always make it to the job on time the next day.
- My problem is that my eyes give me away, or rather the dark circles under
- them, and the bags that seem to develop overnight. Where do they come from?
- What can I do? And don't tell me to give up partying.
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-
- ANSWER: Well, you are the one who said it! The problem is a common one with
- some people, and the answer is pretty straight forward. The basic cause for
- the circles is an irritation to the eyelids, that results whenever you have
- had to keep your eyes open for an extended period of time. The irritation may
- come from dust in the air, the particles that form the smoke in a smoke filled
- room, the air itself, or even rubbing your sleepy eyes a bit too much.
- Exposure to intense sun can contribute to the problem. All these irritants
- provoke a process that seeks to defend against the irritation, a process
- called inflammation. Special cells in the tissue release a chemical substance
- that causes the blood vessels to dilate, to open wider, bringing more blood to
- the eyelid's tissue to help dilute the irritants and wash them away. The
- increased amount of pooled blood in blood vessels (capillaries) can cause the
- tissue to swell, and when this network of distended vessels are seen through
- the overlying skin, to appear darker. Fluid may seep out of the vessels as
- well, ooze into the surrounding tissue, and create the puffiness that comes
- along with the dark circles.
- Not everyone seems to be susceptible to the process, which is seen in
- certain individuals more sensitive to these irritations. Since you are one of
- the unlucky, you must pay a bit of extra attention to preventing the condition
- from developing. Stay alert to the possibility of irritation in your
- surroundings, and try to avoid those smoky rooms. Use a sun shade when out in
- bright sunlight. A bit of additional moisture from synthetic tear drops may
- help, and applying ice bags before you retire for the night may reduce some of
- the swelling. Of course, the best advice is the one you don't want to hear,
- but you might try cutting back just a bit if the appearance of your lids is of
- concern and important to you.
-
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- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
-