A black eye is the result of a facial injury or head injury. It occurs when blood and other fluids begin to collect around the eye, causing swelling and discoloration of the injured site. While in many instances it is considered to be a minor injury or a bruise, it is sometimes indicative of a more serious injury that requires medical attention.
Identification
Pain, swelling and discoloration are the most common symptoms of a black eye. However the site may be only slightly discolored in the beginning, progressing at a later time to a darker shade. At its worst, the skin will turn a dark violet color and then change to yellow or green as the site begins to heal. While the discoloration becomes worse, so too does the swelling of the affected area. On occassion, the eye may be swelled shut or blurred vision can occur.
Effects
A black eye is generally caused by an injury to the eye or nose. If an injury to the nose has occurred, both eyes may become swollen and discolored because a nose injury will cause fluid to collect under them simultaneously. There are also certain surgical procedures performed on the face, such as jaw surgery or a facelift, that will cause a black eye to develop. In addition, a basilar skull fracture will cause both eyes to swell.
Considerations
While a person may think that a black eye is nothing to worry about, it is usually a good idea to be examined by an opthamologist if it has been sustained due to a head injury. There are also specific symptoms to watch for so that you know when you may need to contact your doctor. These include forgetfullness, behavioral changes, a change in vision, nausea/vomiting, and dizziness. Also, if the pain does not go away and is severe, or if the person experiences any signs of infection such as redness, the site being warm to touch or any kind of pus-like drainage, these may be signs of a more serious injury.
Warning
If a person experiences a loss of consciousness, if they are unable to move the eye itself, if there is loss of sight or if there is blood or clear fluid coming from the nose or the ears, they need to take themselves to the hospital right away. Hemophiliacs or people taking blood thinners for various health reasons also need to seek immediate medical attention, regardless of any symptoms of a more serious injury being present.
Prevention/Solution
Using ice to decrease the swelling is the most common treatment of a black eye. By constricting the blood vessels, ice aids in the decrease of fluid build-up, as well as providing relief through cooling and numbing of the affected site. For the first 24 hours after the black eye has occurred, apply a cloth wrapped ice pack to the site every twenty minutes within a one hour time frame. If no ice is readily available, a pack of frozen veggies will work just fine. To avoid obtaining a black eye, make sure your home is clear of debris on the floor which could cause someone to trip and fall. Wearing protective head gear is a good idea if you are participating in any kind of contact sport. Perhaps most importantly, avoid getting into fistfights where you may be forced to absorb a punch to the eye area.
Misconceptions
For many, many years it was thought that using a raw piece of meat like steak was acceptable treatment for a black eye. There is, however, no proven scientific evidence to support this. Rather, it could pose more of a health risk due to the bacteria on raw meat coming into contact with mucous membranes or an open area subject to infection.
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