Addressing the Causes of Dark Circles Under the Eyes
Posted by Elroy Ward in General Health Information
Eye bags, raccoon eyes, bags under the eyes; no matter what you call them, they are distressing for those who have them. Defined by easily recognized under-eye discoloration of the skin and puffiness, this condition usually appears when people get older, but younger persons have them also. There are many different causes for dark circles and puffiness under the eyes, and each case is different, but there are some commonalities.
Fighting Those Dark Circles Around Your Eyes
Aging has already been mentioned, and heredity can also be a factor. In most people, however, stress, fatigue, and allergies, along with environmental and behavior factors play a major role in either causing or exacerbating the condition. If you have this condition, it is important that you determine what the cause is in your particular case, in order to best combat it. Some of the most common causes are discussed below.
Fatigue and Stress
Stress and fatigue are rampant in modern society. Work and social schedules demand too much of our day, not allowing enough time to rest and to get adequate sleep. When we do not have enough sleep, the blood vessels under the eye appear more prominently. Their bluish hue becomes visible through the skin causing the darkened circles under the eyes.
Allergic Reactions
Allergies, both seasonal and chronic, are common causes of dark circles and puffiness under the eyes. Hay fever is the most common seasonal villain, and food allergies appear to be the greatest contributors to chronic allergic reactions. Naturally, avoiding the causes of the allergies is the best way to avoid the problem, but this is not always possible. The effects from seasonal allergies can be combated with readily available prescription and over-the-counter medications. The chronic allergies may require professional help in identifying and avoiding the allergens that cause the problem.
Heredity and Genes
With many people, the under-eye condition is embedded in their genetic makeup. The face’s bone structure and the degree of thinness of the skin under the eyes are major factors to be considered. In all people, the skin under the eyes is thinner that skin in other places on the body, and the blood vessels in this area are close to the skin surface. The added transparency of thin skin allows the bluish tint of the adjacent blood vessels to show through the skin, giving the area its darkened appearance. Bone structure is often the culprit causing puffiness or bags under the eyes causes by the pooling of blood in the bone structure.