When the area under your child's eyes becomes purplish or blue in color, you might wonder if this symptom is a sign of something more serious. Understanding why they can occur can help you to identify the cause of your child's dark circles. Typically not a cause for medical concern, dark circles often respond to over-the-counter remedies.
Identification
Veins carrying deoxygenated blood rest around the eyes and nose, according to Dr. Jeffrey Hull, a pediatrician writing on DrHull.com. If the blood flow in the veins becomes obstructed or slows down --- most often due to nasal congestion --- the area under your child's eyes can appear dark as blood pools in these veins. This can be especially exaggerated if your child's skin is very fair. Identifying the cause of nasal congestion can help you to find treatments that reduce your child's dark circles.
Causes
Dark circles under your child's eyes can be signs of an allergy, which are known as allergic shiners. Food allergies such as to dairy, soy, shellfish, wheat or tree nuts can cause your child to develop dark circles under the eyes, according to Ask Dr. Sears, a child wellness resource. Environmental and pet allergies also can cause dark undereye circles. If your child experiences additional symptoms such as hives, puffy eyes, runny nose, sneezing or watery eyes, this can indicate the presence of an allergy. Other, less common causes include enlarged adenoids or an iron deficiency.
Misconception
While dark circles under the eyes in adults can be an indicator of sleeplessness, this is not typically true for children, according to the website KidsGrowth. It is c ommon for children, especially those 2 and under, to experience periods of wakefulness during sleep. If you suspect your child's sleep patterns extend beyond normal irregularities, see your child's physician.
Expert Insight
While dark circles on your child might be worrisome to you, the circles are rarely a cause for medical concern, according to an expert on the website Parents. "Dark circles under the eyes are generally not a sign of poor health or troubled sleep in children," said Dr. Barton D. Schmitt, a pediatrician and author. "In fact, the most common cause of dark, bluish circles under the eyes is congestion of the nose, when the veins around the eyes become larger and darker."
Treatment
If your child's dark circles are related to allergies, avoidance of food allergens can reduce symptoms. Over-the-counter medications can help relieve nasal congestion from environmental allergies, according to Parents.com. Applying cold compresses can help to temporarily reduce eye swelling and dilate blood vessel. Dip a washcloth in cold water, and place it over your child's eyes for 10 minutes at a time. If your child's circles do not lessen after over-the-counter treatments, see your child's physician to ensure dark circles are not signs of a more serious medical condition.
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