You may notice that your child is beginning to develop purple or bluish dark areas under the eyes. While in adults, this may indicate sleeplessness, children often experience these dark circles due to allergy symptoms. Although this occurrence is rarely a cause for concern, medical treatments are available to ease the symptoms.
Significance
Dark circles under your child's eyes are the result of blood vessels swelling underneath the delicate under-eye area, according to Dr. David L. Fay, a family physician writing on the website Babies Today. Because this skin is very thin, the blood vessels--which appear purple or blue in color--come closer to the skin. This occurrence can be the result of a number of factors in children.
Causes
Dark circles under the eyes in children are most commonly caused by allergies. When a child has allergies, the nose becomes congested and the blood vessels that flow near the eyes become enlarged, according to Dr. Fay. This type of undereye circle is called an "allergy shiner." The area under your child's eyes also may be slightly swollen when allergies are to blame. Other causes include enlarged adenoids or tonsils, according to Dr. Jeffrey Hull, a pediatrician writing on DrHull.com.
At-Home Treatments
Dark areas under the eyes typically will subside over time. However, an immediate fix can be to apply a cold compress under your child's eyes, according to "The Doctors Book of Home Remedies II." This can be as simple as moistening a washcloth with cold water and laying it over your child's eyes for 10 minutes. This will help to constrict the blood vessels, making them less noticeable. The avoidance of allergens, such a pet dander, mold, dust, pollen and other causes also can help to reduce dark circles.
Medical Treatments
If your child's dark areas under the eyes are due to allergies, medications to reduce nasal congestion can help, according to Dr. Fay. Over-the-counter allergy treatments are available--however, you should ensure that your child takes an age-appropriate dose. Nasal sprays also can be used to reduce inflammation--however, these treatments should not be used in excess of three days because they can cause damage to the blood vessels in the nose.
Warning
In rare instances, insufficient sleep or an iron deficiency also can be causes of dark circles under the eyes, according to Kids Growth. While irregular sleeping patterns are common in children, if you are concerned that your child is not sleeping enough, your child's physician may recommend some techniques to improve sleep. Iron deficiencies can be diagnosed via a blood test, and treatments such as diet modifications are available.
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