Dark circles under a child's eyes can be alarming. Parents often fear their child isn't getting enough sleep, or that the child has a more serious disorder, such as anemia. In most cases, dark circles under a child's eyes don't indicate a serious condition. If a child's eyes have dark circles that last for more than a few weeks, talk to your doctor to rule out some possible causes and set your mind at ease.
Heredity
Some people have a genetic predisposition for dark circles under their eyes, which may become apparent during childhood. Under-eye darkness is often more obvious in very fair children. Inherited under-eye circles are not cause for alarm, though the child may want cosmetic treatment for them when he or she is older, such as concealing make-up or chemical peels.
Lack of Sleep
Adults often associate dark circles under the eyes with a lack of sleep. Sleep deprivation doesn't cause the dark circles. Instead, it can make the face paler, which makes eye circles look darker. Parents of young children who wake up once or more during the night often worry their child isn't sleeping enough. For young children, Kids' Health (Reference 1) points out that irregular sleep patterns are common and not a cause for alarm.
Older children and teens are more at risk for chronic sleep deprivation, which may give the appearance of dark circles under their eyes. According to the University of Michigan Health System (Reference 2), children between the ages of four and 10 sleep an average of 11 hours a night, while teens sleep an average of 9.5 hours.
Sun Exposure
Exposure to the sun and tanning can make natural coloring under the eyes look darker. The pigment in the skin, called melatonin, that makes skin look tan can be more apparent under the eyes where the skin is thinner. This effect may be enhanced when the tan starts to fade.
Allergies
Nasal allergies are a common cause for dark circles under a child's eyes. According to the Mayo Clinic (Reference 3), nasal congestion can dilate the veins near the nose and make them look darker. Allergies often cause itchy eyes, so dark circles can be exacerbated when the child rubs the eyes a lot. Your child may develop dark circles under the eyes from a cold with nasal congestion, but this will pass within a few days to a few weeks. If a child is chronically congested, sneezes a lot and has itchy watery eyes, the cause may be allergies.
Member Comments
pyro226 November 29
It's melanin that's under the skin in Step 4. Melanin is the pigment in skin that gives it's color. Melatonin is a hormone that is inhibited by light and regulates sleep patterns.