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| {{Redirect|Crying blood|the VV Brown song|Crying Blood}} | | {{Short description|Condition of crying tears mixed with blood}} |
| '''Haemolacria''' is a physical condition that causes a person to produce [[tears]] that are partially composed of [[blood]]. It can manifest as tears that are anything from merely red-tinged to appearing to be entirely made of blood.
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| Haemolacria is a symptom of a number of diseases,<ref name="Ahluwalia">{{cite journal | last=Ahluwalia | first=BK |author2=Khurana AK |author3=Sood S | title=Bloody tears (jddfcj) | journal=Indian Journal of Ophthalmology | volume=35 | issue=1 | pages=41–43 |date=Jan–Feb 1987 | url=http://www.ijo.in/article.asp?issn=0301-4738;year=1987;volume=35;issue=1;spage=41;epage=43;aulast=Ahluwalia | pmid=3450614 }}</ref> and may also be indicative of a [[tumor]] in the [[lacrimal apparatus]]. It is most often provoked by local factors such as [[Conjunctivitis#Bacterial|bacterial conjunctivitis]], environmental damage or injuries.<ref name="pmid1750328">{{cite journal |vauthors=Ottovay E, Norn M |title=Occult haemolacria in females |journal=[[Acta Ophthalmol (Copenh)]] |volume=69 |issue=4 |pages=544–6 |date=August 1991 |pmid=1750328 |doi= 10.1111/j.1755-3768.1991.tb02038.x|url= }}</ref> | | '''Haemolacria''' is a rare condition characterized by the presence of blood in the [[tear]]s. This phenomenon can be alarming to both patients and clinicians, as it may indicate underlying [[ocular]] or systemic conditions. Haemolacria can occur in one or both eyes and may be associated with other symptoms depending on its cause. |
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| Acute haemolacria can occur in fertile women and seems to be induced by hormones,<ref name="pmid1750328"/> similarly to what happens in [[endometriosis]].
| | ==Causes== |
| | Haemolacria can result from a variety of causes, which can be broadly categorized into local ocular causes and systemic causes. |
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| ==History == | | ===Local Ocular Causes=== |
| | * '''[[Conjunctivitis]]''': Inflammation of the [[conjunctiva]] can lead to haemolacria, especially if there is significant irritation or infection. |
| | * '''[[Trauma]]''': Injury to the eye or surrounding structures can cause bleeding into the tear film. |
| | * '''[[Tumors]]''': Benign or malignant growths in the [[lacrimal apparatus]] or surrounding tissues can lead to bleeding. |
| | * '''[[Surgery]]''': Post-surgical bleeding from procedures involving the eye or eyelids can result in haemolacria. |
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| ;{{Visible anchor|Twinkle Dwivedi}}
| | ===Systemic Causes=== |
| :From [[Lucknow]], [[India]], Dwivedi presented a rare condition that appeared to cause her to spontaneously bleed from her eyes and other parts of her body without presenting any visible wounds.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/32797753|title=Doctor probes mystery of girl who cries blood|date=2009-09-11|accessdate=2010-04-29|work=MSNBC Today}}</ref> Dwivedi was the subject of numerous medical research studies and TV shows including ''[[Body Shock]]''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.channel4.com/programmes/bodyshock/episode-guide/series-20/episode-1|title=Girl Who Cries Blood|accessdate=2010-04-29|work=Bodyshock}}</ref> and a [[National Geographic Society|National Geographic]] documentary.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ngccommunity.nationalgeographic.com/ngcblogs/inside-ngc/2009/09/filming-the-girl-who-cries-blood.html|title=Filming "The Girl Who Cries Blood"|accessdate=2010-04-29|work=National Geographic|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100413230522/http://ngccommunity.nationalgeographic.com/ngcblogs/inside-ngc/2009/09/filming-the-girl-who-cries-blood.html|archivedate=2010-04-13|df=}}</ref>
| | * '''[[Bleeding disorders]]''': Conditions such as [[hemophilia]] or [[thrombocytopenia]] can predispose individuals to bleeding, including in the tear film. |
| :In the absence of a medical explanation for her condition, some religious explanations have been posed. It was suggested that she could have had an unknown disease, but more skeptical views hypothesized that the case might be explained by [[Münchausen syndrome by proxy]], where her mother, seemingly the only one to witness her bleeding actually starting, was fabricating the story and somehow inducing the effect on the girl.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/reviews/last-nights-television--muslim-driving-school-bbc2-girl-who-cries-blood-channel-4-the-man-who-couldnt-stop-hiccuping-bbc1-1865840.html|title=Last Night's Television - Muslim Driving School, BBC2; Girl Who Cries Blood, Channel 4; The Man Who Couldn't Stop Hiccuping, BBC1|date=2010-01-13|accessdate=2010-04-29|work=The Independent UK | location=London | first=Tom | last=Sutcliffe}}</ref> [[Sanal Edamaruku]] observed in 2010 that the pattern seemed to match her menstrual cycle and believed that she was faking the symptoms.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/belief/2010/may/12/twinkle-girl-cries-blood-edamaruku|title=When I met the 'girl who cries blood'|work=The Guardian|date=12 May 2010}}</ref>
| | * '''[[Hypertension]]''': Severe [[high blood pressure]] can cause small blood vessels to rupture, potentially leading to haemolacria. |
| | * '''[[Vasculitis]]''': Inflammation of blood vessels can affect the ocular region, leading to bleeding. |
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| ;Calvino Inman
| | ==Diagnosis== |
| :Aged 22, reported to weep tears of blood 5 times a day.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://g1.globo.com/Noticias/Ciencia/0,,MUL1291894-5603,00-ADOLESCENTE+AMERICANO+CHORA+SANGUE+ATE+TRES+VEZES+POR+DIA+DIZ+SITE.html|title=Adolescente americano chora sangue até três vezes por dia, diz site}}</ref> | | The diagnosis of haemolacria involves a thorough [[medical history]] and [[physical examination]]. Key steps include: |
| | * '''Ocular Examination''': A detailed examination of the eye using a [[slit lamp]] to identify any local causes of bleeding. |
| | * '''Systemic Evaluation''': Assessment for systemic conditions that might contribute to bleeding, including blood tests to evaluate clotting function. |
| | * '''Imaging Studies''': In some cases, imaging such as [[CT scan]] or [[MRI]] may be necessary to evaluate for tumors or other structural causes. |
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| ;Rashida Khatoon
| | ==Treatment== |
| :From India, was reportedly crying blood up to five times a day in 2009, and fainting with every weeping.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.weirdasianews.com/2009/05/13/indian-girl-cries-tears-blood | title=Indian Girl Cries Tears of Blood| date=2009-05-14}}</ref> | | Treatment of haemolacria depends on the underlying cause. Management strategies may include: |
| | * '''Addressing Local Causes''': Treatment of infections, removal of foreign bodies, or surgical intervention for tumors. |
| | * '''Systemic Treatment''': Management of underlying systemic conditions such as hypertension or bleeding disorders. |
| | * '''Symptomatic Relief''': Use of [[artificial tears]] or [[lubricating eye drops]] to provide comfort. |
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| ;Débora Santos
| | ==Prognosis== |
| :Age 17, from Brazil. Was reported to have cried tears of blood several times in her life.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://g1.globo.com/sao-paulo/noticia/2011/06/medicos-investigam-caso-de-garota-que-chora-sangue-no-interior-de-sp.html | date=28 June 2011}}</ref>
| | The prognosis for haemolacria varies depending on the underlying cause. In cases where the cause is benign and treatable, the prognosis is generally good. However, if haemolacria is due to a serious systemic condition, the prognosis may be more guarded. |
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| ;Yaritza Oliva (not officially diagnosed)
| | ==Related pages== |
| :Age 21, from Chile. Was reported to have cried tears of blood several times a day in 2013.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/25/woman-cries-blood-yaritza-oliva-haemolacria_n_3497075.html? | work=Huffington Post | title=WATCH: Tears Of Blood? | date=25 June 2013}}</ref>
| | * [[Tears]] |
| | * [[Lacrimal apparatus]] |
| | * [[Ophthalmology]] |
| | * [[Bleeding disorders]] |
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| ;Linnie Ikeda (not officially diagnosed)
| | [[Category:Ophthalmology]] |
| :Age 25, from Waikele, Hawai'i on the island of 'O'ahu. She was diagnosed after 2008 with [[Gardner–Diamond syndrome]] for her random bruising, but in 2010 had symptoms of the splitting of her tongue which would bleed profusely. In 2011, Ikeda has started bleeding from her eyes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/29059085/hawaii-woman-who-bleeds-from-eyes-is-desperate-for-answers|title=Woman with uncontrollable bleeding from eyes, mouth looking for 'a bit of hope'|author=Lynn Kawano|date=13 May 2015|work=Hawaii News Now}}</ref>
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| ;Marnie-Rae Harvey (not officially diagnosed)
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| :Age 17, from the United Kingdom. Started in 2013 with initially coughing up blood but now persists in her tears since 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/35777597/the-girl-with-bleeding-eyes-and-ears---and-no-diagnosis|title=The girl with bleeding eyes and ears - and no diagnosis|author=Tracy Ollerenshaw|date=10 March 2016|work=BBC News}}</ref>
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| ==See also==
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| *[[Le Chiffre]], a fictional character who suffers from haemolacria in ''[[Casino Royale (2006 film)|Casino Royale]]''
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| *[[Hematidrosis]] – blood in sweat
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| ==References==
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| {{reflist}}
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| ==External links==
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| * [http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/09/03/blood.tears.mystery/index.html?iref=mpstoryview Teen who cries blood gets help from experts]
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| [[Category:Symptoms]]
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| [[Category:Body fluids]]
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| [[Category:Rare diseases]] | |
| [[Category:Bleeding]] | |
Condition of crying tears mixed with blood
| Medical conditions |
| General | |
| By system | |
| Signs and symptoms | |
| Treatments | |
| Related | |
This medical condition related article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it.
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Haemolacria is a rare condition characterized by the presence of blood in the tears. This phenomenon can be alarming to both patients and clinicians, as it may indicate underlying ocular or systemic conditions. Haemolacria can occur in one or both eyes and may be associated with other symptoms depending on its cause.
Causes
Haemolacria can result from a variety of causes, which can be broadly categorized into local ocular causes and systemic causes.
Local Ocular Causes
- Conjunctivitis: Inflammation of the conjunctiva can lead to haemolacria, especially if there is significant irritation or infection.
- Trauma: Injury to the eye or surrounding structures can cause bleeding into the tear film.
- Tumors: Benign or malignant growths in the lacrimal apparatus or surrounding tissues can lead to bleeding.
- Surgery: Post-surgical bleeding from procedures involving the eye or eyelids can result in haemolacria.
Systemic Causes
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of haemolacria involves a thorough medical history and physical examination. Key steps include:
- Ocular Examination: A detailed examination of the eye using a slit lamp to identify any local causes of bleeding.
- Systemic Evaluation: Assessment for systemic conditions that might contribute to bleeding, including blood tests to evaluate clotting function.
- Imaging Studies: In some cases, imaging such as CT scan or MRI may be necessary to evaluate for tumors or other structural causes.
Treatment
Treatment of haemolacria depends on the underlying cause. Management strategies may include:
- Addressing Local Causes: Treatment of infections, removal of foreign bodies, or surgical intervention for tumors.
- Systemic Treatment: Management of underlying systemic conditions such as hypertension or bleeding disorders.
- Symptomatic Relief: Use of artificial tears or lubricating eye drops to provide comfort.
Prognosis
The prognosis for haemolacria varies depending on the underlying cause. In cases where the cause is benign and treatable, the prognosis is generally good. However, if haemolacria is due to a serious systemic condition, the prognosis may be more guarded.
Related pages
