Black circles under your eyes can make you look ill or exhausted when you are neither of these things. The tendency to develop under-eye circles can be inherited, but circles can also develop due to allergies or skin diseases. Treatments for dark circles vary, depending on the cause of the condition.
Congestion and Allergies
Congestion in the nasal passages, whether due to illness or allergies, can cause dark circles under your eyes. Veins located in the eyes normally drain into the veins found in your nose, but when your nasal passages are congested, normal draining can't occur. This results in backed-up veins in the eye area that cause dark blue circles. Under-eye circles that occur due to nasal congestion may be more obvious if you have light skin. Taking allergy medications, antihistamines or decongestants can help relieve congestion or allergic symptoms, reducing dark circles. Placing 6-inch-high blocks under the legs at the head of your bed can help the veins drain during the night.
Aging
As you age, deposits of collagen and fat under your eyes begin to thin, creating hollow areas. Shadows cast on the hollow areas may make it appear as though you have dark circles under your eyes. Compounding the problem is the natural thinning of the skin as you age. When skin thins under your eyes, blood vessels become more noticeable. Doctors treat dark circles that occur due to hollows by plumping up the under-eye area with injections of collagen and other dermal fillers. The American Academy of Dermatology reports that the results of filler injections are generally long-lasting, with maintenance treatments performed after three to six months.
Atopic Dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis, a type of eczema, can also cause under-eye circles. Eczema is a skin condition that causes an itchy rash, scales, redness, cracking, crusting and swelling of the skin. Over 30 million people in the U.S. have atopic dermatitis, according to the National Eczema Association. In addition to causing a rash, atopic dermatitis can also cause skin discoloration. People who have atopic dermatitis often have asthma or hay fever or have relatives who suffer from these problems. Doctors prescribe topical steroids to treat eczema and also use two nonsteroidal drugs, pimecrolimus and tacrolimus. Regular use of moisturizer can be helpful in reducing flare-ups.
Hyperpigmentation
Hyperpigmentation occurs when there is too much melanin in an area of your skin. Melanin is the pigment that gives skin its color. Dark circles caused by pigmentation irregularities are a particular concern of people of color, especially blacks and Asians. Doctors prescribe bleaching cream to lighten areas of dark skin and also use laser therapy to remove excess melanin in the skin.
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