What Causes Dark Circles Under A Child's Eyes And How To Treat Them?

Image: Midjourney/ MomJunction Design Team

Dark circles usually happen due to lack of sleep and nutrition. However, dark circles under a child’s eyes may be due to other reasons as well. Dark circles are less common in children than in adults but can result from genetic factors or conditions such as allergies, rubbing, and sleep troubles (1). Dr. Cindy Gellnar, a board-certified physician in her interview transcript to the University of Utah (2), says, “Dark circles under the eyes in children could be due to nasal congestion and genetics.” While children can develop dark circles for various reasons, they may not always indicate serious health issues.

Read this post to learn more about the causes, risk factors, complications, and treatment of dark circles in kids.

What Causes Dark Circles Under Child’s Eyes

Dark circles usually form when the veins under the eyes constrict, with decreased blood flow, causing hyperpigmentationⁱThe darkening of an area of skin due to an increase in melanin production , or thinning of the skin around the eyes enlarge and become dark. As the skin under the eyes is thin, it might not be able to conceal them and hence looks dark and pigmented. Under eye dark circles in kids can be caused by a variety of factors such as malnutrition due to a poor diet and stress and anxiety. In rare cases, blood or other fluids may accumulate in the grooves of the eye, creating the appearance of bags under the eyes; this condition is known as shiners (3).

Identifying the underlying cause and addressing it can help reduce the appearance of undereye dark circles in kids. Here are a few possible causes for dark circles under the eyes in children:

1. Nasal congestion: Prolonged congestion of mucous membranes (in the case of sinus infections) of the nasal cavities might exert pressure on the veins under the skin and restrict the blood flow in them, resulting in dark circles under the eyes. Studies state that children with dark circles are also found to be persistent mouth-breathers, which may increase the risk of developing dental abnormalities (4).

2. Allergic rhinitis: Dark circles could be due to prolonged allergies. Nasal congestion caused by allergies may, in turn, result in dark circles. Allergic rhinitis could be triggered by airborne elements such as dust, pollen, animal dander, or molds. The dark circles due to allergic rhinitis are known as allergic shiners. Some of the other signs of allergic rhinitis include:

• Denni morgan lines
• Upturned nose
• High arched palate
• CobblestoningⁱThe appearance of raised, irregular bumps on the lining of the pharynx caused by inflammation of the pharynx
• Persistent breathing through the mouth
• Rubbing the nose persistently, with a nasal crease
• Sniffing and clearing of the throat (5)

3. Asthma: According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, dark circles under the eyes could be an early warning sign for asthma (6). Also, prolonged allergic rhinitis could be linked to asthma (5). Other prominent symptoms and signs of asthma include:

• Coughing worse at night, early morning, and during exercise
• Changes in breathing and sputum
• Difficult breathing
• Sneezing
• Feeling of tiredness and weakness
• tightness in chest
• Prolonged congested nose
• Hoarseness in the voice
• Paleness

4. Genetics: If your child is not showing any abnormal signs but still has dark circles, then it could be hereditary. Research states that dark circles could be genetic, with some having them mildly and some heavily (7).

5. Snoring: Snoring in children is often due to enlarged lymph nodes called adenoids. These adenoids are located at the back of the nasal passages above the tonsils. When adenoids are large, they may cause snoring, frequent mouth breathing during sleep, and a blocked nose, which may result in dark circles under the eyes (8) (9).

6. Anemia: There isn’t enough evidence to establish a direct link between anemia and dark circles in children. While anemia is considered one of the potential causes of dark circles in adults, it may not be the case for children due to differing underlying factors.
However, if your child looks pale and has dark circles under their eyes, it is vital to speak with your child’s doctor to check for anemia (10) (11).

7. Other causes: Sometimes, dark circles or swelling under the eyes might also occur due to forehead, nose, or face surgery, eating salty meals (due to fluid retention) or neuroblastomaⁱCancer that develops from immature nerve cells (3) (12). Dark circles can also happen due to:

• Hyperpigmentation is due to increased melanin production of both the epidermis and the dermis
• Dehydration following severe diarrhea and vomiting
• Non- accidental injury
• Illness and medication
• Hormonal imbalances and thyroid problems
• High salt intake and poor blood circulation

Dr. Yuna Rapoport, MD, MPH, a board-certified ophthalmologist from New York, says, “Most of the time, it is normal for dark circles to exist. However, you should be concerned and seek medical care if the dark circles look more like bruising, if they came on suddenly, and if your child is having other medical issues like nausea or vomiting. Most of the time, the causes of under eye circles in children are the same as that in adults: fatigue, dehydration, or a cold.”

If your child is not showing any of the above abnormal symptoms but still has dark circles, then monitor their sleep and iron levels as they may be contributing to the formation of dark circles around their eyes. In any case, the doctor will look for other symptoms that might help identify the cause.

Treatment For Dark Circles Under Eyes In Children

Dark circles may not need treatment, as they might subside when the underlying cause is treated. Here are a few precautions you could take to prevent dark circles.

• If the nasal congestion is because of allergies in children, identify the trigger and make sure your child stays away from it.
• Consult your doctor and follow the treatment plan if your child is diagnosed with a sinus infection or asthma.
• Treat allergic rhinitis.
• Do not apply fairness creams or skin-lightening creams as they could damage the delicate skin of your children.
• Help your child manage stress with relaxation techniques and activities they enjoy to promote overall well-being (1).
• Limit excessive screen time and ensure regular breaks to prevent eye strain, which can worsen dark circles.
• Make sure your child gets a good night’s sleep and nutrient-rich foods.

In addition to treating the underlying cause, you could consider trying a few home remedies that might help in soothing the skin around the eyes. Always do a patch test before trying these remedies on younger children, as some of them might cause irritation to the eye.

Also, there is little evidence to prove the effectiveness of these remedies. It is recommended that you consult your doctor before trying them out.

1. Almond oil: It is said to help in improving complexion and skin tone (13), so it might help in reducing the darkness around the eyes. If you are trying it, make sure the oil is pure and free of any chemicals or other dilutions.

How it is used: Put two to three drops of almond oil on a cotton swab and wipe it around the eyes, let it stay for 15 minutes, and then wash it off. Repeat this for six to seven weeks. Be careful not to apply it too close to the lower eyelid.

2. Cold compress: It is believed that a cold compress can help reduce the swelling of the blood vessels under the eye, thereby helping reduce puffiness and darkness under the eyes.

How it is used: Soak a washcloth in cold water and place it on your child’s eyes for 20 minutes. You can also wrap a few ice cubes in a washcloth and put it on the eyes. Do not make it too cold for the child to handle it.

3. Steam inhalation: This does not directly affect the dark circles but provides relief from nasal congestion. You may try steam inhalation to clear out the stuffy nose. Steam inhalation could worsen asthma, so avoid it if you think it might trigger an asthma attack.

How it is used: Encourage your child to take steam baths or help them inhale some warm air from a steamer to relieve nasal congestion.

4. Cucumber: High levels of vitamin K and lignansⁱPhytochemicals found in plant-based foods, highest in flax seeds and may have anticancer properties in cucumbers are said to help reduce dark circles and inflammation (14).

How it is used: Crush the cucumber and extract the juice. Soak cotton pads in the juice, place them on your child’s eyes, and ask them to rest for 15 minutes. Repeat this thrice a week.

5. Saffron: Saffron is said to have anti-allergic, and anti-inflammatory properties (15), thus it might help in reducing allergic reactions as well as the dark circles in children.

How it is used: Blend together some saffron in a teaspoon of raw milk and apply it under the eyes; wash it off after 15 minutes. Do this thrice a week. You may also include saffron in small quantities in the milk that your child consumes. However, make sure your child is not allergic to saffron and only add a pinch of it.

6. Milk cream: This is believed to moisturize the skin naturally and reduce dark circles and bags under the eyes (16).

How it is used: Apply milk cream under the eyes and leave it for 15 minutes before washing it off. Repeat this thrice a week. Do not apply it too close to the lower eyelid as it may enter the eyes and cause irritation.

7. Potato juice: This is said to be a rich source of vitamin C and might help in nourishing the skin under the eyes.

How to: Crush potatoes and extract the juice, apply it under your child’s eyes, but not too close to the eye. Wash it after 15 minutes. Repeat it twice or thrice a day.

These home remedies are meant to work superficially and not on the underlying cause for the dark circles. Hence these should only be used in conjunction with the prescribed treatment for your child’s condition if any.

What Are The Risk Factors And Complications Of Dark Circles?

Dark circles may not pose any risk to your child’s health, but the underlying cause may have complications. So, it is important to identify and treat the underlying condition, which can be diagnosed based on other symptoms. In the case of severe conditions, such as allergic rhinitis and asthma, consult your doctor and follow the prescribed treatment plan, as some of the underlying causes could be a precursor to emergencies such as anaphylacticⁱA severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction to possible triggers shock or an asthma attack.

Illustration: What Causes Dark Circles Under A Child&039s Eyes And How To Treat Them?

Children sometimes get dark circles and this strange sight may make you wonder why this occurs. Learn why this is happening and how to help in this informative video.

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