Many people suffer from dark circles under the eyes. They are embarrassing and make you look older than you are. There are lots of ways adults and children can develop these dark circles under their eyes.
Yes, some people have dark circles under their eyes because of lack of sleep or too much alcohol. But those aren’t the only reasons. Let’s talk about other possible reasons why you have dark circles under your eyes and what you can do about it.
But first, what’s causing this problem?
What Is Causing the Dark Circles Under My Eyes?
Dark circles have a variety of different causes. And despite what some people think, fatigue isn’t one of them. Besides alcohol and lack of sleep, illnesses also cause these circles to appear. The combination of a fair complexion and thin skin if often the culprit.
Some of the more common causes of dark circles under the eyes include:
Heredity. Dark circles under the eyes can appear in childhood, and are often an inherited trait. Some children will outgrow them, but others will not.
Allergies. Nasal congestion can dilate the blood vessels that drain from the area around your eyes, causing them to darken.
Sleep deprivation is the most common cause, and the easiest to prevent, but …
Oversleeping can also cause dark eye circles.
Eczema
Stress
As we get older, our skin becomes thinner.
Iron deficiency can prevent the blood from carrying sufficient oxygen to eye tissues.
Minor trauma that causes the appearance of a black eye
Additional causes for dark circles under your eyes:
Crying
Lifestyle. Excessive smoking or drinking can contribute to under-eye circles. Also, people who drink too much coffee or who use cocaine or amphetamines may have difficulty getting enough sleep.
Fluid retention, as may occur with pregnancy or weight gain.
Skin pigmentation abnormalities. The skin around the eyes is thinner, which is why your blood vessels are more readily visible through it.
Excessive exposure to the sun. Sun exposure encourages your body to produce more melanin.
Age. As we get older, we lose some of the fat and collagen surrounding our eyes. This loss, combined with the thinning of our skin, magnifies the appearance of dark eye circles.
Mononucleosis can cause the eyes to appear puffy and swollen. This is due partly to the fatigue that people feel when they are suffering from it, and partly because this illness causes a yellowing of the eyes and the skin around them (this is called jaundice).
Periorbital cellulitis. This is a bacterial infection of the eyelid or eyelids. If it is promptly treated with antibiotics, however, it is nothing to worry about.
Excess salt in the diet causes fluid retention throughout your body—including underneath your eyes.
When to See a Doctor About Dark Circles Under Eyes
In rare cases, dark circles under eyes may be a sign of a more serious medical condition. These circles are a symptom of a variety of conditions such as hypothyroidism and/or diseases of the liver.
When you’re deciding whether to see a doctor about the dark circles under your eyes… it is important to distinguish between “dark circles under eyes” and a black eye. A black eye that is not too severe in appearance can be mistaken for dark circles under your eyes.
If you have two black eyes, it’s possible you have suffered a serious injury called a basilar skull fracture. This is a fracture that occurs to one of the bones at the base of the skull. A basilar skull fracture could be a life-threatening injury. If you have reason to believe you have suffered such a fracture, seek medical attention.
While dark circles are usually nothing to worry about, you should see a doctor as soon as possible if:
the swelling and discoloration appear only under one eye and do not go away after a few days
if they appear too suddenly
