Irritated under eye area

Dear Doc,

I am a 23 year old female student. I am not particularly pale-skinned, although I live in Northern Ireland so I don't get much sun. I have had very dark obvious circles under my eyes for about 6 years now. I have been unable to lighten then at all and resorted to make-up. Then, in August of last year, about two weeks before I was due to go to Africa for a 2 month study, the skin became red and flaky and irritated. It was not itchy at all. This problem persisted throughout my time in Africa. Upon my return I went to a doctor as I had a number of complaints from my trip including infected insect bites on my leg that took months to heal and left definite purple pitted scars. The doctor proscribed 1% hydrocortisone cream to be applied lightly twice a day. It worked well except unfortunately everytime I have tried to stop using the cream, it comes back worse than ever and the cream is now thinning the skin under my eyes and making it even darker. I now look extremely ill and tired even using coverup makeup.

Please can you help me,

Karen

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Karen:

There's really not much to do for the darkness in dark circles.  The dryness you describe, however, is almost certainly a different condition affecting the same location, namely atopic dematitis or eczema.  1% hydrocortisone will help that (temporarily), but will not "thin the skin."  It may make the darkness more visible though, just because any lotion increases light transmission.

I would continue the hydrocortisone whenever the flakiness recurs, and hide the darkness with makeup as best you can.  It's the best you can do for that.  The eczema will quiet down when it's ready.

Good Luck.

Dr. R

[ipounds]

A related discussion, irritation around eyes was started.