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Predispositions to other medical conditions - such as thyroid disease - can also result in dark circles beneath your eyes. Over time, the dark circles may lighten or get darker. It can be an inherited trait seen early in childhood. Geneticsįamily history also plays a part in developing dark circles under your eyes. Too much sun - particularly for your eyes - can cause pigmentation in the surrounding skin to darken. Sun exposure can cause your body to produce an excess of melanin, the pigment that gives your skin color. This is due to the eyes’ close proximity to the underlying bone. When your body is not well hydrated, the skin beneath your eyes begins to look dull and your eyes look sunken. Dehydrationĭehydration is a common cause of dark circles under your eyes.
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This can result in dark shadows beneath your eyes. These actions can worsen your symptoms, causing inflammation, swelling, and broken blood vessels.
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Histamines also cause your blood vessels to dilate and become more visible beneath your skin.Īllergies can increase your urge to rub and scratch the itchy skin around your eyes. This causes several symptoms, including itchiness, redness, and puffy eyes. When you have an allergic reaction, your body releases histamines to fight off the invader. AllergiesĪllergic reactions and eye dryness can trigger dark circles. As a result, the skin surrounding your eyes can darken. This strain can enlarge the blood vessels around your eyes. Staring at your television or computer screen may cause strain on your eyes. As this occurs, the dark blood vessels beneath your skin become more visible, causing the area below your eyes to darken. There may be a decrease in the fat and collagen that maintains your skin’s elasticity. Natural aging is another common reason for dark circles beneath your eyes.Īs you get older, your skin becomes thinner.
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The dark circles you see may actually be shadows cast by puffy eyelids. Lack of sleep may also cause fluid to build underneath your eyes, causing them to appear puffy. The dark tissues and blood vessels beneath your skin can start to show. Sleep deprivation can cause your skin to become dull and paler. Oversleeping, extreme fatigue, or just staying up a few hours past your typical bedtime can cause dark circles to form under your eyes. There are a number of possible reasons for dark circles under your eyes.
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