Dark circles under the eyes are a common complaint of both men and women, although they can occasionally be seen in children. As people age, the skin becomes thinner and collagen is lost, sometimes enhancing the appearance of blood vessels beneath the eyes and making the area appear darker. Dark circles under the eyes are not necessarily a sign of tiredness, but stress and fatigue seem to worsen the facial appearance of many people, including their tendency to develop dark circles.
Conditions like fluid imbalance or local swelling that lead to puffy or swollen eyelids can cause shadows that make the area under the eyes appear darker. Trauma (a "black eye") can cause darkening of the entire eye area. Some people notice that dark circles under the eyes tend to run in families, as well.
In most cases, dark circles under the eyes are not a sign of a serious medical condition.
Other causes of dark circles under the eyes
- Excessive Rubbing of the Eye Area
- Fluid Retention
- Heredity
- Nasal Congestion
- Sun Exposure
- Trauma
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Causes of Dark Circles Under the Eyes
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Allergy (Allergies)
An allergy refers to a misguided reaction by our immune system in response to bodily contact with certain foreign substances. When these allergens come in contact with the body, it causes the immune system to develop an allergic reaction in people who are allergic to it. It is estimated that 50 million North Americans are affected by allergic conditions. The parts of the body that are prone to react to allergies include the eyes, nose, lungs, skin, and stomach. Common allergic disorders include hay fever, asthma, allergic eyes, allergic eczema, hives, and allergic shock.
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Asthma in Children
Asthma in children manifests with symptoms such as coughing and wheezing. Rates of asthma in children are increasing. Asthma in children is usually diagnosed based on the description of symptoms. Lung function tests may also be used. A variety of medications are used for the treatment of childhood asthma.
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Dehydration in Adults & Children
Dehydration is the excessive loss of body water. There are a number of causes of dehydration including heat exposure, prolonged vigorous exercise, and some diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms of dehydration include headache, lightheadedness, constipation, and bad breath. Treatment for dehydration is to replace lost fluids and electrolytes.
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Does Crohn’s Disease Cause Dark Circles Around Eyes?
Crohn's disease, a type of irritable bowel syndrome (IBD), is linked to a number of eye problems. Most medical reports don’t formally link Crohn's disease and dark eyes or list dark circles around your eyes — also called periorbital pigmentation — as a symptom.
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Drug Abuse and Addiction
Drug abuse and addiction is a chronic disease that causes drug-seeking behavior and drug use despite negative consequences to the user and those around him. Though the initial decision to use drugs is voluntary, changes in the brain caused by repeated drug abuse can affect a person's self-control and ability to make the right decisions and increase the urge to take drugs. Drug abuse and addiction are preventable.
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How Do You Remove Dark Circles Under Eyes Permanently?
Dark circles are puffiness and darkening of the skin under the eye, and they create cosmetic concerns. Dark circles appear in men and women. They are more common in adults and rarely seen in children. The skin under the eye is normally thinner and sensitive than the rest of the face. So, it is prone to hyperpigmentation and swelling. Dark circles are usually caused because of a combination of multiple factors.
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Sinus Infection (Sinusitis)
Sinus infection (sinusitis) is caused by allergies, infection, and chemicals or other irritants of sinuses. Signs and symptoms include headache, fever, and facial tenderness, pressure, or pain. Treatments of sinus infections are generally with antibiotics and at times, home remedies.
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Smoking (How to Quit Smoking)
Smoking is an addiction. More than 430,000 deaths occur each year in the U.S. from smoking related illnesses. Secondhand smoke or "passive smoke" also harm family members, coworkers, and others around smokers. There are a number of techniques available to assist people who want to quit smoking.
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Stress
Stress is a normal part of life, but chronic or severe stress can be harmful to your health. Learn what happens in your body when you are stressed and how you can manage your response.
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What Homemade Remedy Can You Use for Under Eye Puffiness?
Under eye puffiness may take time to resolve. Often, they are a result of stressful schedules, eye strain, eye allergies or even hormonal changes. Treatment of under eye puffiness and dark circles involves medical treatment and natural remedies. Home remedies can temporarily reduce under eye puffiness.
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