Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) Support Group

no dark circles but blue fingernails, ever since I had my fistula surgery and much more so when its cold.

I have dark circles under my eyes, but then again, I'm 51. I know that dark circles are often just hereditary. I've spent lots of money on makeup to try to make them disappear as much as possible.

I also know that PKD causes more bruises than normal, so maybe that is part of it. A friend of mine who is really into Eastern medicine and non-traditional medical treatments (I am not) told me that kidney difficulties manifest themselves in dark circles under the eyes, according to Chinese medicine. I don't subscribe to that line of thought, but it's interesting--

As one ages the collagen goes bye bye and too estrogen decreases. The thinner skin allows the blood supply to show better ( or would that be worse?) I don't obsess about it. I put on some eye shadow and head out the door. Anything that distracts from the under eye area is good. Getting a good nights sleep helps too. Lin.

Thanks for the replies. At least I'll be propping up the make up industry!

I always thought it was allergies that cause the dark, with a tinge of red, under my eyes (very attractive). Food for thought, blame it on the kidneys! Sleep does help, as do the multiple brands of concealers I have. If only this was all we had to deal with :)

My dad had seriously dark circles under his eyes (they're very noticeable in pictures; I don't remember him in person). He had PKD. My brother and I both have milder versions of his dark circles and we both had PKD. But we also got lots of other great genes from him (brown curly hair, my brown eyes, etc.) and may well have inherited the "dark cirles under the eyes" gene from him (and the "puffy under eye" gene from our mother). We're doomed on the eye front, bags and circles.

I know the dark circles have become more noticable as I've aged and the skin under my eyes had thinned (blood vessels closer to the surface). And when my anemia is worse, my skin is even paler than usual and the circles are more noticable (I'm pale to begin with).

Just some thoughts.
Ruth

Hi, CHewitt!

Just out of curiosity,
Are you taking Prednisone?

I was told that Prednisone "weakens" blood vessels.
I was told that that is the reason why I bruise easily.

Peace and Blessings!
Coach Richie
http://www.innergameofpkd.com

Hi CoachRichie,
No, I'm not taking any medication apart from a steroid nasal spray for perenial allergic rhinitis. I guess there could be a link with the allergy, but I've had that for years. I am very pale, like you Ruth, so I guess all the imperfections show more.
Chewitt

Hmm...that is interesting....I've had them and just figured they were a part of me...

I think what the Chinese say is pretty interesting...maybe ya know?