Allergic Shiners

Usually dark circles around the eyes are associated with insomnia or sleep deprivation. However, this need not be the main cause of dark circles, as even a person who has allergies can have this problem. When these dark circles are caused due to the presence of allergies, it is known as allergic shiners. This is not only seen in adults, but also is one of the earliest symptoms in children who are prone to some kind of allergy. Let us try to know more about this allergy and ways to get rid of this problem.

Causes

Allergic shiners are dark circles under the eyes and look like bruises that one gets after being physically abused. In case of bruises, the capillaries or the veins are broken due to which the blood leaks, making the area around the eyes look dark in color. However, allergic shiners are caused due to nasal passage or sinus congestion which blocks the blood flow to the heart, causing the blood to get collected under the eyes. Moreover, the small veins under the eyes may also become enlarged, giving rise to the bluish black color. Also, when the fluid from these veins spread on the tissues of the skin, swelling is said to occur.

Some prominent causes of this condition among children and adults includes hay fever, sinusitis, dust allergy, eczema, common cold and mold allergy. Allergy to animal hair can also lead to this allergy. Moreover, it can also be the first sign of asthma in children and infants. It can also be seen in young babies and the most common reason for this is said to be allergy to some kind of food. As babies are usually breastfed, the allergy may arise from some kind of food that the mother consumes. In such cases, it may be seen under the eyes of the little one.

Treatment

If you or your child is suffering from this problem, there are different ways in which you can get rid of these ugly marks under the eyes. The most essential and important thing to begin the treatment measure is to know the kind of allergy that the person has. Once this is found then the best treatment is to stay away from such kind of allergens. For instance, if you are allergic to dust, it is important to keep your house clean by dusting regularly. In case of babies, the best treatment will require the mothers to avoid the foods that cause allergy to the child. To find the source of the allergy, mothers should make a list of foods that they eat everyday and observe whether shiners appear under the child's eyes as a reaction to certain foods.

Treating the allergy that is causing the problem is a good way of getting rid of this problem. Antihistamines are over-the-counter medications that are effective in curing certain allergy symptoms like sneezing, watery eyes, running nose, etc. Apart from these, using nasal sprays are also said to be helpful in getting rid of some allergies, which subsequently will help in doing away with the problem. Though there are people who use nasal steroids to eliminate shiners, it can cause some side effects and hence, one should take extra care and consult a physician before using them. Apart from these medications and drugs, there are certain simple home remedies that you can try to cure this problem. Soak a towel in hot water and hold it on the eyes and nose for some time and you will surely find a difference in the appearance of shiners under your eyes. It also aids in opening up the nasal passages. Apart from this, applying cold cucumbers or tomato juice on your eyes can do the trick. You may place hot tea bags over your eyes to reduce their puffiness and swelling.

I hope all your doubts have been answered in this article. Since this problem can be an early sign of asthma and other serious allergies, health practitioner should be consulted immediately.