When you experience dark circles under your eyes, you know it could be the result of allergies or lack of sleep; however, when you observe dark circles underneath your child's eyes, you wonder if the same could be true. Because it's natural as a parent to worry about any symptoms your child has, know that dark circles under the eyes are rarely a cause for serious concern, according to "Parents" magazine.
Nasal Congestion
When the area in the nasal cavity becomes blocked or irritated, dark circles under your toddler's eyes can occur, according to Dr. Barton Schmitt in "Parents" magazine. The nose congestion causes the veins underneath the eyes to enlarge because the veins in the eyes drain into the veins in the nose, according to About Kids Health. Because the skin under your toddler's eyes is very thin, the area appears darkened. This is especially true if your child is very fair skinned.
Enlarged Adenoids
The adenoids are the spongy areas near the tonsils. When functioning properly, the adenoids work to capture bacteria and other foreign particles in order to prevent these particles from going into the body. If the adenoids become enlarged, dark circles can occur, according to About Kids Health. If your child mostly breathes through her mouth or has trouble breathing through her nose, this could be a sign of enlarged adenoids.
Allergies
A number of allergies can cause a reaction that makes your child experience dark circles. These include food, medication, pet, environmental and contact allergies, according to KidsGrowth.com. This can be difficult to diagnose because toddlers cannot undergo testing that would typically be performed to diagnose allergies. An estimated 39 percent of children whose parents suspect they have allergies actually have been or can be diagnosed with allergies, according to AskDrSears.com. However, if your family has a history of allergies, this could be one indicator that your child's dark circles are because of allergy-related conditions. If you suspect the dark circles might be because of a food allergy, serving your child a greater variety of foods can reduce allergic reactions because food allergies are dose-sensitive--the more a person is exposed to them, the greater the reaction. Common food allergies include peanuts, tomatoes and dairy products.
Member Comments