And then I blogged about how it improved with some Burt's Bees, so I'd written it off as exposure to wind and cold temperatures?
Fact is, the problem is still plaguing me, I've just been managing it. I need to keep the eye skin moisturized with ointment, clean it off 2 or 3 times a day and put on more ointment, make sure not to get any ointment on my actual eyeballs or else the puffies really take hold... Add that the "condition" makes the lines around my eyes deeper than usual - like I need THAT!
Anyways, this was my miserable self last Saturday. My eyes were SO irritated, all I could think to do was take a pitiful selfie:
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| complete with forehead zit |
I began to wonder if maybe I was having an allergic reaction. After all, it feels like I've been motorboating some latex boobs. Not that I've ever motorboated ANY boobs - and don't ask me how I know I have an allergy to latex - it's just what I imagine would happen if I were to do such latex boob motorboating.
So, in my desperate, pitiful state, I decided to begin an elimination diet. I would start by eliminating certain common allergen foods and see if doing so made any difference. I've begun with peanuts since peanuts are a common allergen, and I eat more than my fair share.
Really, peanuts are everywhere! In my peanut butter, in my snack bars, in my trail mix. I've never had an allergy problem with them before, but maybe I've developed one in my old age. Like the latex thing *ahem*.
So, I think it was Saturday afternoon, I ate my last peanut.
Here's a few minutes ago.
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| Yah, I've since had a haircut (zit remains) |
Better? Actually, blogger is somehow helping me out with the smoothing, because the photo I took doesn't look as smooth on my computer, but I'm going with this... But STILL, the original "after" is better than the pitiful "before".
Honestly, though, I don't think it's the peanut-free living. I can feel the itchy-puffy-irritated potential just beneath the calm surface, ready to burst forth. I've just been more attentive to managing it these last few days.
But I guess I'll keep up the experiment for a while longer and see if real improvement happens. It's not like I'm missing peanuts or anything.
(Just keep telling myself that).
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14 comments:
You might try an antihistimine, not necessarily for stop-gap relief, but rather to confirm the allergy diagnosis.
And at some point (like maybe our age), "salve" becomes preferred over ointment. :-)
I'm leaning towards "unguent" - it always makes the SAT word list.
Good point with the antihistamine confirmation. In fact, I did buy my first ever bottle of Benadryl over the weekend. I have yet to break the seal, it's just too cute.
Isn't it strange how we develop various afflictions suddenly, while doing the same things we've always done? Aging is a complicated process. Or so I hear. Not that we would know. I mean, we're still young. Right? ... ?
Right!
Actually, aging is another possible cause. I was hoping it was peanuts...
Yea, getting older can really mess with your immune system. Things that never bothered you before are suddenly causing you all sorts of new problem. Balms, salves, unguents and ointments become part of our vocabulary.
I agree with Guano - take a hit of the Benadryl to see if that will at least give you some relief. Then you can try to focus upon what is the source.
Hope you find the cause soon - that looks really uncomfortable!
Next, I'll be one of those old ladies with the big purses - carrying my various unguents.
It's not bad if I keep on top of it. I'm not used to being so high maintenance!
If the Benedryl makes you sleep, try Claritin or Zyrtec. A good supply of the generic brand is relatively cheap.
You are such a good sport to show us a close up of "your condition." Don't know that I could have done it. :)
It's not baaaad... however, I see what you mean. Keep working on it.
That's why I've been avoiding the antihistamines - the drowsiness factor. "Good sport"? Ha, maybe I just posted it as a reminder to not let it get like that again!
I'm having issues with my eyes, as in bags underneath and a stye that just won't go. To be honest I think I'm just getting old. :(
"I was hoping it was the peanuts" cracked me up! At first, I felt bad that you may have to give up peanuts, but I suppose if you compare it to aging being the source, then I'm kinda hoping it's the peanuts too. Then again, you COULD just give up aging and keep eating peanuts. That's probably what I would do. :)
I think I'll hang out in denial a little while longer, thanks.
Well, as much as I like peanuts, they seem easier to avoid than the a-word!
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