Darkness and swelling under your eyes are two distinct conditions that may occur at the same time. One condition may also worsen or cause the other. Physiological, genetic and lifestyle factors, or a combination of these, may contribute to or cause dark, swollen circles under your eyes. See your doctor if your condition is severe, persistent or occurs with redness, itching or pain.
Weak Capillaries
Darkness under your eyes originates in tiny blood vessels called capillaries. The capillaries are your most fragile blood vessels, and are so thin that blood cells normally travel through them in single file. Blood cells can leak into surrounding tissue if your capillaries leak or break. Your body breaks down the blood cells that leak outside your capillaries. Dark blue or black circles can form under your eyes when blood cells in this area are broken down. This process is similar to bruising that occurs after you're injured by a blunt object.
Fluid Retention
Aging and fluid retention are common causes of swelling under your eyes. Tissues that support muscles around your eyes weaken as you age. Skin, fat and other body fluids may migrate forward below your eyes as these muscles weaken. Fluid retention occurs when fluid is not properly removed from body tissues. Conditions that trigger fluid retention include changes in the weather, menstrual cycle hormone changes, allergies, dermatitis and insufficient water intake.
Heredity
You may inherit physiological qualities that cause or increase your susceptibility to darkness and swelling under your eyes. Fluid accumulation that leads to puffiness under your eyes may run in your family. You can also inherit genetic traits that produce weak capillaries around your eyes and increase the likeliness of developing darkness in the area.
Lifestyle Causes of Swelling
Lifestyle habits may exacerbate or lead to swollen circles under your eyes. Sleeping flat on your back or without elevating your head enough may cause fluid accumulation under your eyes and produce swelling. Dehydration or eating too much salty food can also cause fluid retention around the eyes. Insufficient sleep and some medications can also produce fluid accumulation that causes swelling under your eyes.
Lifestyle Causes of Darkness
Lifestyle factors may worsen or produce darkness under your eyes that occurs with swelling. The skin around your eyes is sensitive, and its blood vessels may burst if subjected to the physical stress caused by swelling. Rubbing your eyes, smoking and chronic alcohol abuse can also inflict physical stress on the tissue around your eyes. Sun exposure triggers melanin production in your skin and, over time, the sensitive skin under your eyes may darken.
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