John P. Cunha, DO, is a U.S. board-certified Emergency Medicine Physician. Dr. Cunha's educational background includes a BS in Biology from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, and a DO from the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences in Kansas City, MO. He completed residency training in Emergency Medicine at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, New Jersey.
Dr. Perlstein received his Medical Degree from the University of Cincinnati and then completed his internship and residency in pediatrics at The New York Hospital, Cornell medical Center in New York City. After serving an additional year as Chief Pediatric Resident, he worked as a private practitioner and then was appointed Director of Ambulatory Pediatrics at St. Barnabas Hospital in the Bronx.
A black eye often results from
injury to the face or the head, and is caused
when blood and other fluids collect in the space around the eye. Swelling and
dark discoloration result in a "black eye" – sometimes called a "shiner."
Most black eyes are relatively minor injuries. Many heal on their own in a
few days, but they may signify a more serious injury.
Despite the name, "black eye," the eye itself is not
usually injured. The tissues around the eye may be significantly discolored and
swollen without any injury to the eye itself, like a
bruise (ecchymosis) around the eye.
The skin around the eye is very loose, with mostly fat underneath it and fluid
accumulates easily in this area. The skin around the eye is one of the first
places to swell when the facial area is injured. Depending on the location and
type of injury, one or both eyes may be affected. Injuries to the eye brow and
forehead area often result in black eyes because gravity pulls the blood and
inflammatory fluid into the soft tissues under and around the eyes.
As a black eye heals, the swelling around the eye decreases, and the bruise
gradually fades away. The bruising will usually start out a very dark purple,
and as it fades, it may change to light purple, then greenish, then yellow
before disappearing.
What causes a black eye?
The most common cause of a black eye is a blow to the eye, nose, or forehead.
Depending on where the blow lands, one or both eyes may be affected.
A blow to the nose often causes both eyes to swell
because the swelling from the nasal injury causes fluid to collect in the loose tissues of the eyelids.
Other causes of black eye include:
surgical procedures to the face, such as a
facelift, jaw
surgery, or nose
surgery;
a certain type of head injury, called a
basilar skull fracture,
causes both eyes to swell and blacken; this condition is typically described
as "raccoon eyes;"
Other causes of swelling around the eye include (these conditions do not make the skin turn black and blue around the eye):
Headaches can be divided into two categories: primary headaches and secondary headaches. Migraine headaches, tension headaches, and cluster headaches are considered primary headaches. Secondary headaches are caused by disease. Headache symptoms vary with the headache type. Over-the-counter pain relievers provide short-term relief for most headaches.
Hives, also called urticaria, is a raised, itchy area of skin that is usually a sign of an
allergic reaction. The allergy may be to food or medications, but usually the
cause of the allergy (the allergen) is unknown.
Retinal detachment is the separation of the retina from its attachments to the underlying eye tissue. Symptoms of retinal detachment include flashing lights and floaters. Highly nearsighted young adults and those who've had cataract surgery are at higher risk for retinal detachment.
Glaucoma is a common eye condition in which the fluid pressure inside the eye rises because of slowed fluid drainage from the eye. If untreated, glaucoma may damage the optic nerve and other parts of the eye, causing the loss of vision or even blindness.
Fractures occur when bone cannot withstand the outside forces applied to the bone. Fractures can be open or closed. Types of fractures include: greenstick, spiral, comminuted, transverse, compound, or vertebral compression. Common fractures include: stress fracture, compression fracture, rib fracture, and skull fracture. Treatment depends upon the type of fracture.
A bruise, or contusion, is caused when blood vessels are damaged or broken as the result of a blow to the skin. The raised area of a bump or bruise results from blood leaking from these injured blood vessels into the tissues as well as from the body's response to the injury. Treatments include applying an ice pack and pressure to the area by hand.
Cuts, scrapes, and puncture wounds are common, and most people will experience one of these in their lifetime. Evaluating the injury, and thoroughly cleaning the injury is important. Some injuries should be evaluated by a doctor, and a tetanus shot may be necessary. Treatment will depend upon the severity of the injury.
In the United States, head injuries are one of the most common causes of death and disability. Head injuries due to bleeding are generally classified by the location of the blood within the scull, these include: epidural hematoma, subdural hematoma, subarachnoid bleed, intracranial bleed, sheer injury, edema, and skull fracture. Some common symptoms of a head injury include: vomiting, bleeding from the ear, speech difficulties, paralysis, difficulty swallowing, and body numbness. Treatment of a head injury depends on the type and severity of the injury.
Many common eye disorders resolve without treatment and some may be managed with over-the-counter (OTC) products. It's important to visit a physician or ophthalmologist is the problem involves the eyeball itself or the condition hasn't improved after 72 hours of use of an eye-care OTC product.
Uveitis is inflammation of the eye. Symptoms include blurred vision, eye pain, eye redness, and floating spots before the eyes. Treatment may involve prescription eyedrops, antibiotics, and wearing dark glasses.
Bees, wasps, and fire ants are related insects that belong to the Hymenoptera order. There are thousands of species of wasps found throughout the world. Common wasps are yellow jackets and hornets. Types of bees include honey bees, the Africanized honey bee (killer bee), and the bumble bee. There are four types of reactions to a bee or wasp sting; 1) local reaction, 2) systemic allergic reaction, 3) toxic reaction, and 4) delayed reaction. Individuals who have a systemic or toxic reaction generally require immediate medical treatment to prevent anaphylactic reaction, and possibly death.
Dental injuries range from a chipped or fractured tooth to a knocked out tooth. Treatment depends upon the severity of the dental injury. Dental injuries may be prevented by aligning protruding front teeth with braces and using face masks and mouthguards while playing sports.
Bug bites and stings have been known to transmit insect-borne illnesses such as West Nile virus, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and Lyme disease. Though most reactions to insect bites and stings are mild, some reactions may be life-threatening. Preventing bug bites and stings with insect repellant, wearing the proper protective attire, and not wearing heavily scented perfumes when in grassy, wooded, and brushy areas is key.
The majority of stinging insects in the United States are from Bees, Yellow Jackets, Hornets, Wasps and Fire Ants. Severity of reactions to stings varies greatly. Avoidance and prompt treatment are essential. In selected cases, allergy injection therapy is highly effective.
Bee and wasp stings are common causes of medical problems. Bees and wasps,
together with fire ants, are all related insects that belong to
the Hymenoptera order. Bee and wasp stings can cause significant reactions,
ranging from localized pain and swelling to serious and even potentially
fatal conditions. At least 40 deaths occur each year in the U.S. as a result
of bee or wasp stings.
What are the types of wasps?
There are over 25,000 species of wasps found throughout
the world. Some of the most common wasps include:
The yellow jacket and hornet,
both of which live in groups, or colonies, in temperate climates.
Yellow
jackets, which have black and yellow stripes on the abdomen, form underground nests.
Hornets are predominantly black with some yellow markings on the head and
thorax. Hornets form paper-like nests that are attached to trees, bush...
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