Dark circles under children’s eyes are usually harmless and caused by nasal congestion, allergies, genetics, or skin type. Medical attention is not usually necessary, but chronic congestion or other concerning symptoms should be checked by a pediatrician. Home remedies and avoiding allergens can help control dark circles.
While seeing dark circles in children may cause many parents and caregivers to become alarmed, they typically have a benign cause that usually resolves with little to no help. Dark circles under the eyes in children are rarely a symptom of ill health and not usually a sign of lack of sleep. Conversely, children are usually caused by sinusitis or nasal congestion, which is usually the result of allergies. Other common causes include skin type, genetics, enlarged adenoids and tonsils.
Nasal congestion is usually the cause of dark circles in children. Congestion widens the veins under the eyes and makes them appear darker. The enlarged veins also allow more blood to flow to the under eye area, creating purple and blue discolorations. Children are likely to suffer from congestion due to allergies, hay fever, colds, sinus infections or enlarged tonsils. In fact, many pediatricians consider dark circles a good early indication of allergies in children and often refer to them as allergic dark circles.
Fair-skinned children are also prone to forming dark circles under their eyes. This is largely because the thin skin under the eyes shows veins more on fair skin than on darker skinned children. Dark circles in children are also often caused by genetics. Children who have at least one parent with dark circles are more likely to form these dark formations, because their skin is thinner under their eyes. Occasionally, certain other conditions such as eczema, which makes the skin rough, can cause dark circles in children.
While there is no harm in seeking professional opinions about dark circles in children, medical attention is usually not needed unless the child is also exhibiting other concerning symptoms. A parent or guardian should contact their pediatrician if the child appears to have chronic nasal congestion and tends to breathe through the mouth rather than the nose. Other signs of concern are if your child snores a lot or has constant irritation or rashes on their face.
In most cases, home remedies for dark circles can be enough to control them. One such recommended remedy is the use of a cold, damp cloth held over the eyes for 10 minutes. If allergies are the culprit behind dark circles, it’s important to help your child avoid allergens. Otherwise, if the child is old enough, an allergy medication may be sufficient. Pediatricians recommend seeking advice before giving a child any type of medication.
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