My three month old has one eye that is a little puffy and bruised looking. It looks like he has a little bit of a black eye but it has not gotten better or worsened in a couple weeks. I took him to the doctor and he was not sure what it was. He prescribed erythromycin just in case it was pink eye. I gave him the prescribed treatment but the eye still looks the same. It doesn't seem to hurt him when I touch around his eye or put the medicine in.
Has anyone else seen this?
I took him back to the pediatrician and they said it was probably just a black eye that was taking a long time to heal. After waiting 2 weeks (as the pediatrician suggested) I made an appointment with an opthamalogist. He diagnosed it as a hemangomia. It's a cluster of blood vessels, like a strawberry birthmark but deeper under the skin. I'm so relieved. We just have to watch that it does not get so big that it blocks his vision. If it starts to block his vision it will need to be treated with a steriod injection or lasers.
take to an opthamologist (not optometrist) instead of pede for a 2nd opinion & prob a better opinion since they ARE the eye Docs
Sounds weird. I would get a second opinion. You should probably take him to a specialist.
Take him back to the pediatrician, the MD will not know hte treatment did not work if you don't tell them.
Well, I don't even want to tell you that I have a friend whose son had the same thing, and it turned out that the baby had tumors that were cancerous. This was found out after the parents were reported to CPS because the doctor, who had been their childrens pediatrician for YEARS, felt she had to report any black eyes on anyone. They had to fight to get any tests done on their precious son, because no one would listen to them after the doctor reported them and they had to go through hell to be advocates for their son. He was a toddler at the time. Fortunately, someone listened to them and he was finally tested and they found the cancer and it was BAD, in this little guy's case, but he got treatments quickly and he is fine now. Being a mother and grandma, I don't want to SCARE you by telling you this, but it happened and the sooner you find out, the better. But I hope and pray that your son does not have anything like this, of course. I am not trying to scare you unnecessarily; but you should know this happened to my friend and a black eye can look so harmless, but in this case, it wasn't.
Is it on top of the eye? Does it look like a pea size on the lid. My son had this and it was an eye cyst, didn't bother him but now he has a weaker eye.. I agree get a 2nd opinion..
Puffy eyes is due to the lymphatic drainage system not working for some reason.
The bruise: Is it bleeding beneath the skin? If so has it not faded to lighter purple or yellow, but is continuing to bleed? It could be a hemoratic rash. Any type of hemoragic rash/bleeding under the skin is considered an emergency.
Meningococcal disease, caused by bacteria, is more common in infants under 1 yr. It can cause a hemoragic rash- a reddish purple looking rash.(look up images online). This bacteria can also affect kidneys (lymphatic drainage). The other symptoms might include fussyness, avoiding light, not wanting to eat, cold hands/feet, dislike of handling, arching back or retracting, whining or hi- pitch cry, staring expression, difficult waking, fever.
Try reasearching problem at: http://en.diagnosispro.com for other causes.
See your doctor again.If he tries to blow it off again- time for a new doc.
My 3 year old nephew suffered from what seems to be a similiar thing. Although, he has chronic ear infections and this past winter had one constantly. And then he had a huge swollen neck lymph node that was suspicious. AFter a CT they noticed he had enlarge tonsils, adenoids, and lymphs nodes throughout his nexk, and acute siniutus so they went ahead and removed the whole lymph node to make sure there was no cancer. Thank God everything was fine on that end. But right after the surgery and weeks following he had this constant black eye. It was on the same side of the lymph node that was removed. His pediatrician recommended he immediately go to the ER (but that could have been b/c of the history with the surgery). Turns out it was just another ear infection and sinus infection. Apparently, things weren't draining properly. Albeit it is also a side effect of the antibiotics they had him on and they were also worried about an internal bleed. So I would definitely take him back in and have it rechecked. Maybe have his ears looked at as well. It could be allergies or some sinus issues. Is the eye thats swollen the side he sleeps on the majority of the night. That was the case with my nephew so my mom had him switch sides and within a week or so the bruising went away!!!
The ER dr also said it could have been a spider bite. They still aren't sure what caused it, but it hasn't occured again since he got offer all the sinus issues.
I agree with the other response to take him back in, since it hasn't gotten better. Eyes are important, and fragile. Best not to take chances. Maybe if the doctor really doesn't know what is going on, he can refer you to an ophthalmologist.
Is the eye puffy on the outside lid or on the inside, white conjunctiva? Has your baby been outdoors? When did he get it (for example, after hiking, after he was outside? Is it otherwise itchy, red, tearing?) There are so many things it can be. Since it hasn't gone away, I advise to take him in to get another evaluation. Erythromycin would help with a little bacteria so it sounds like it's something a little different or more than that. Best of luck.
Hope you don't think I am a panic merchant, but it could be a build up of pressure inside his skull. Now that could be due to things that I have no medical expertise in.
I spoke to one other dads at school this week who told me that for 10 years that from time to time he had a black eye for no reason - turns out he had a tumor that was pressing against his eye, and the pressure build up caused his blood vessels to break.
He might have a food allergy?
My son gets big red hot floppy ears when he has an infection - indeed that is the first sign that there is something wrong.
Just some ideas.
