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What Causes Swelling Around The Eyes Post Intake Of Aspirin And Advil?

Posted on Mon, 27 Jun 2016

Question: Is it possible for someone in middle age to suddenly begin developing sensitivity to aspirin and Advil resulting in slight swelling around the eyes after never having had such a reaction before and which can last a day or two?

Are there ways of successfully desensitizing to those products since they are necessary in daily life? Thanks.

Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Does not seem to be due to sensitivity to these meds.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

Although it is possible to develop sensitivity at middle age, I doubt if the swelling around eyes has any relationship with taking Aspirin and Advil. The slight puffiness could occur due to a number of reasons, in particular due to kidney causes. The first thing to do would be to get the blood urea and creatinine levels measured.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (29 minutes later)

She actually had blood work and those numbers were in normal range, and the swelling and itching was only with the aspirin and Advil. About 20 years ago she got a herpes infection In one eye.Sounds like a kind of mystery.

Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (0 minute later)

Brief Answer:
A careful clinical correlation was actually essential.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back.

The Herpes infection seems unrelated.
Going by the explanation, these medicines could be the culprit and the best possible suggestion would be to avoid them for the time being. Paracetamol or acetaminophen would be a safer substitute. It is not before a reasonable gap of a few months has elapsed that aspirin and advil should be tried back again. Hopefully the sensitivity would have subsided by then. If not, another long gap should be tried.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (9 minutes later)

Thank You. So presumably her asymptomatic issue with some fatty liver should not be an issue In that case?

Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Glad to be of service

Detailed Answer:
I do not think that fatty liver is directly related. However, these medicines have to be metabolized by the liver and if the liver is not functioning well, the accumulation of the medicines and their metabolites in the blood may cause untoward reactions like these.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (50 minutes later)

Thank you. Therefore it would seem that the direct cause of some swelling and itching when taking the aspirin or Advil is actually unknown, and trying to desensitize with small doses would not be effective?

Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (15 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
I would prefer avoiding them for the time being.

Detailed Answer:
Desensitizing means systematized and regulated exposure to the offending agent such that it ceases to cause the reaction. However, in this case it would be wise to avoid aspirin and advil altogether especially because safer alternatives are available.

Regards

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar