Under Eye Bags & Dark Circles

Medical Causes of Under Eye Bags & Dark Circles

A person's face tells the whole story of what's going on in their body, good or bad. For the most part, dark circles under the eyes are only a cosmetic bother, with no negative health effects. But on some rare occasions, dark circles can be a minor symptom of something worse.

If eye bags are more than just a random occurrence for you, it could be a sign of a more serious health problem.

Causes of Periorbital Dark Circles

• Eczema and Hay Fever - Under eye darkness and eye itchiness is a common symptom of allergic reaction such as hay fever. Eczema causes inflammation and rashes, in addition to dark circles under the eyes.
• Periorbital Hyperpigmentation - This genetic condition is usually a result of allergies or familial heredity, typically for those of Mediterranean descent. The skin under and around the eyes is usually darker than other areas.
• Anemia - Because anemics suffer from a deficiency of iron and other vital nutrients, there is not enough oxygen flowing through the underlying skin beneath the eyes, making bluish dark circles more apparent.
• Liver disease - itchy skin, red swollen eyes, and dark circles under the eyes, as well as the excess visibility of blood vessels in the face, are common symptoms of a diseased liver.
• Pregnancy or Menstruation - Menstruation and pregnancy deplete iron levels in the body, making skin paler. Pale skin beneath the eyes turns purple or bluish in color due to the visibility of veins beneath the semi-translucent skin.

Aside from these medical conditions, dark circles are caused by bruising genes and other hereditary factors, such as the thickness of the skin under your eyes. These blemishes are unsightly, but otherwise harmless, and are fairly easy to treat with dark circles products.

Causes of Puffiness & Eye Bags

Puffy eyes (aka periorbital puffiness) also has various different medical causes. Eye bags form due to excess fluid buildup or swelling of the tissues around and underneath your eyes. Some causes of eye bags include:

• Crying - Aside from making your eyes feel tired and sore, the saltiness of tears causes fluid retention around the eyes, making them look dark and puffy.
• Mononucleosis - In the early stages of a mono infection, eyes can become swollen and irritated
• Oversleeping or Sleep Deprivation - Too much sleep or too little can completely derail your physical health and appearance. Tired, dark and swollen eyes are a common symptom of poor sleeping habits.
• Hypothyroidism - This thyroid hormone deficiency causes paleness, dry, itchy skin, and puffiness around the eyes. This happens as a result of fluid retention in the periorbital tissue, which is caused excess hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulfate mucopolysaccharides.
• Chagas disease - This infection is caused by a parasite, which causes the eyes to swell up dramatically (also known as Romaña's sign). Although painless, young people are more likely to suffer from periorbital edema caused by Chagas.
• Nephrotic Syndrome - This disorder is the result of kidney damage, and causes edema all over the body, usually starting with your face and eyes. Edema is an abnormal (and scary-looking) occurrence of extreme fluid retention beneath the skin. Massively swollen and puffy eyes are one of the first symptoms of nephrotic syndrome.
• Periorbital cellulitis - This infection causes severe inflammation in the infected eyelid and surrounding skin. Blurred vision, redness, teary eyes, and dark circles are all common symptoms.
• Trichinosis - This parasitic disease is caused by eating raw, undercooked pork. Symptoms around the eyes include mild puffiness, periorbital edema, swelling and pain. The blood vessels beneath the eyes become swelled to the point of destruction (also known as vasculitis).

How to Treat Dark Circles

If you suspect that you may be suffering from one of the above medical conditions, you should definitely consult a doctor to determine the best treatment for you.

However, if your dark circles are the result of fatigue or stress and not a medical problem, these blemishes can be treated safely by a wide array of home remedies and natural eye creams.