Dark circles under the eyes are caused by a number of symptoms that either are cosmetic and benign or representative of a serious medical condition, according to the Mayo Clinic. Causes of dark circles range from fatigue to irregular pigmentation. For some, the discoloration starts as early as childhood. Others experience the phenomenon sporadically in adulthood. Check with your doctor if you are concerned about the circles and can't erase them through home remedies.
Congestion
Mayo Clinic doctors report that when your nasal cavities are congested, the blood vessels underneath your eyes become dilated. Since the skin is thin and sensitive in the area surrounding the eyes, dark circles often appear when you have a cold or sinusitis.
Dermatitis
Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is a condition that results in skin inflammation that often causes skin discoloration and itchiness. Dermatitis often is seen congruently with hay fever and other allergies, according to the Mayo Clinic. While skin discoloration typically appears behind the knees and on the hands and feet, it can cause dark circles under the eyes. In addition to discoloration under the eyes, the condition also can cause the eyelids to become red or darker than usual. Environmental factors such as cigarette smoke, stress, rapid temperature changes and sand or dust can cause eczema flare-ups and dark circles under the eyes.
Body Shape
The genetic shape of your face and the skin around your eyes can cause dark circles, according to Meronk Eyelid Plastic Surgery. Bone shapes that make a hollow under the eyes create a dip that causes a shadow, which looks as if the area is darker than other skin on the face. With age and the effects of gravity, the skin begins to sag, creating an even deeper pocket and more dramatic dark circles. Weight gain also can change the shape of your face to create dark circles. Obesity that makes your lower eyelids fill with fat causes dark shadows.
Pigmentation Irregularities
When melanin production increases, certain parts of the face become darker. According to Meronk Eyelid Plastic Surgery, complaints about dark circles under the eyes are common among patients seeking cosmetic surgery treatments because usually pigment irregularities are caused by heredity and do not respond to home remedies. Other causes of irregular pigmentation under the eyes include serious medical conditions that cannot be corrected by surgery. Diseases that cause darkening of the skin include kidney and thyroid disease, allergies and metabolic imbalance.
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