Question: About August of last year, I noticed darkening around my eyes when my blood pressure medicine was changed. Over time, they have grown even darker, with much larger than usual bags. This year, I have noticed that darkening noticeably spreading to my cheeks, temples, and the sides of my mouth. In addition to blood pressure, I am also diabetic. I am 46 years old. Can you help me to figure out what is causing all of this darkening and how I can stop it?

Hello, Dr. Jain! Thank-you so much for your response. I got my A1C checked about a couple of months ago, and it was 6.3. I get 7-8 hours of sleep each night.

I have always been prone to anxiety and depression.
For my anxiety, it calmed down greatly when I left my stressful office job in 2015. I now work from home as an online instructor. My biggest ongoing stress producer right now is trying to find ways to pay the bills for my household. I also worry sometimes that the facilities that I teach for may not need my services one day, so I try to keep looking for other opportunities just in case this happens. My husband is disabled.

My biggest source of chronic depression is a friendship that ended five years ago. It has been very, very hard trying to mend my heart and keep moving with my life, because this was my friend since childhood. But, I think I am slowly healing. I also get depressed sometimes because my family does not fully accept me as their own. I do not have a close relationship with them at all. I just sent to you a picture I took a couple of days ago. I have on a little facial makeup, but even then, you can see the darkness around my eyes, cheeks and temples. I also have it around the side of my mouth, but it's not easy to see since I am smiling.

Thank-you so much, Dr. XXXXXXX I truly appreciate your recommendations. When you said that I have a touch of sadness, it really touched something inside of me, and I cannot stop crying. I try not to think about things because I have so much responsibility on me. Sometimes, even my own husband doesn't see. But you saw right away.

Sometimes, for me, it is so hard to be a woman. It is even harder to be an African-American woman living in XXXXXXX especially in the South. But I pray to God, ask Him to help me, and keep on moving. Giving up cannot be an option for me.

I will try all of your recommendations. I especially love almonds and walnuts, so those will be very pleasant treatments for me. I will also increase milk, vitamin E supplements and sunscreen. I am working on getting medical coverage, and as soon as I do, I will seek a psychiatrist and get anti-anxiety medication.

Again, thank-you so much, Dr. XXXXXXX I appreciate you so much. May God continue to bless you. May you always feel His love, peace and protection.


Pam