My Son Has Really Dark Circles Under His Eyes

Given that children and adolescents have notoriously inconsistent sleep habits, you might not be surprised to notice your son has really dark circles under his eyes. According to the American Psychological Association, 69 percent of children experience some sort of sleep problems or deficiencies weekly. However, lack of sleep is not the only possible cause of your child's dark circles, and getting more pillow time might not be the remedy.

Sleep

Because the bodies of children and teens are going through more changes than those of their adult counterparts, they should get eight-plus hours of sleep nightly. It's not the only cause for dark circles, lack of sleep can be a contributing factor.

Smoking

You may not think your child would ever consider lighting up, but you also might be surprised. A 2005 survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention concluded that 24 percent of teenagers reported smoking within the past month. In addition to the myriad health risks that come with cigarette smoking, it can cause dark circles under eyes because smoking restricts blood vessels, thus limiting blood flow to the face.

Genetics and Hyperpigmentation

The cause of your child's dark circles could be simple genetics. Hyperpigmentation is a condition in which the body produces excess melanin, causing dark spots on the skin, including under the eyes. This often is genetic, and it is most common in people with a medium to dark complexion.

Allergies

If your child has allergies, this is another possible cause for his dark eye circles. Dark circles are a typical symptom of rhinitis, a common allergic condition resulting in inflammation and irritation of the nasal passages. If you suspect this is the cause, a standard allergy medication might help to alleviate the circles.

Remedies

Depending on the cause of the circles, there can be many remedies. For example, if the circles are the result of allergies, allergy medication might help. If they are the result of too little sleep, have your child get some more sack time. If your child is smoking, kicking the habit might cause the circles to lighten. If you're seeking a potentially permanent solution, autologous fat transplantation is one of few methods proven to relieve dark circles. It involves a doctor removing a small amount of fat from elsewhere on your body and injecting it under your eyes. A study conducted by Yonsei University College of Medicine concluded that subjects who underwent this method saw a 78 percent reduction in their circles.