Causes of dark circles under the eyes Part 2: When dark circles under the eyes indicate iron deficiency or other diseases

The eyelids and the area under the eyes are some of the thinnest and most sensitive parts of the human body’s skin.

This is where facial wrinkles and dark circles first appear.

Dark circles under the eyes are not only a sign of illness, but can also develop for a number of reasons: heredity, aging, mental or physical stress, hormonal changes, inadequate nutrition, or lack of sleep.

Too much sunlight can also cause severe pigmentation around the eyes.

We wrote about the “natural” causes of dark circles under the eyes earlier.

Dark circles under the eyes: sometimes they develop for health reasons

In this article, we will present some cases where dark circles under the eyes are caused by illness, allergies, or psychological problems.

Dark circles under the eyes can appear in children with various health symptoms.

It is important to consult a specialist with these symptoms, as we can only truly rest assured when the doctor answers the symptoms and causes of otherwise harmless dark circles under the eyes.

Dark circles under the eyes can be a symptom of iron deficiency.

In addition to lack of sleep and natural factors, the appearance of dark circles under the eyes can also be caused by iron deficiency anemia (anemia).

If the number of red blood cells that carry oxygen or the hemoglobin responsible for binding oxygen decreases significantly, the skin becomes pale and translucent, which is why purple circles become noticeable.

A laboratory test can reveal whether iron deficiency anemia is truly behind the development of purple spots, dark circles, and discolored eyelids under the eyes.

There is a high chance of this, as anemia is one of the most common deficiency diseases on earth, occurring primarily among women of childbearing age, children, and the elderly.

If there is enough iron in our diet, the body will produce an adequate amount of hemoglobin.

If our iron levels are low, we cannot produce enough hemoglobin, which can affect skin color and the development of dark circles under the eyes.

In case of iron deficiency, we may experience dizziness, fatigue, and frequent cold symptoms in addition to pallor and dark circles under the eyes.

In women, menstrual bleeding, pregnancy, and a one-sided diet can also contribute to iron deficiency, as the body does not receive enough vitamins and nutrients to be healthy.

When taking iron supplements, make sure to also consume the appropriate amount of vitamin C.

It is best to choose an iron-rich diet to solve the problem.

Let’s eat as much liver, red meat, poultry and eggs as possible!

Dark circles under the eyes – a symptom that may indicate a thyroid problem

In some cases, dark circles under the eyes may appear due to hypothyroidism.

The thyroid gland is the body’s master gland, without which the other hormones cannot function properly.

It affects blood production, as anemia can develop due to slowed metabolism.

When dark circles under the eyes indicate allergies

Allergies cause discomfort for many people all year round.

Sometimes allergy symptoms only appear seasonally – mainly in summer:

• blue or purple circles under the eyes – similar to bruises – appear
• red, itchy eyes (allergic conjunctivitis)
• throat clearing
• sneezing
• nasal congestion
• runny nose

An allergic reaction is triggered by histamines, chemicals naturally found in the body, when they come into contact with an allergen.

This histamine release causes blood vessels to dilate.

Although this effect is not noticeable in areas of the body where the skin is thicker, it is clearly visible in the area under the eyes, which is extremely thin.

Here, the swollen blood vessels appear darker than the rest of the face and body and appear as unwanted under-eye circles.

Indirect cause of dark circles under the eyes: eczema

Other immune-related diseases, such as eczema, can cause inflammation and darkening of the tissues around the eyes.

Excessive rubbing due to itching and irritation of the skin can damage the delicate circulatory system around the eyes, causing temporary or permanent darkening of the skin.

Other diseases and medications can also cause dark circles under the eyes.

Medications and medical treatments can also cause discoloration of the eyelids and the area under the eyes.

Certain medications act on the body by dilating blood vessels or causing fluid retention.

When this happens, capillaries can become enlarged or lymph fluid can accumulate, temporarily  causing bags and dark circles under the eyes.

Kidney disease and heart problems can also cause fluid retention.

Hormonal changes, puffy, dark circles under the eyes

Hormonal changes – such as PMS or menopause – can also cause increased fluid retention and changes in skin pigmentation.

Hyperpigmentation can develop during pregnancy and may remain as a result of previous births.

Hormone treatments and hormonal contraceptives can also strongly stimulate melanin production in the skin.

Dark circles under the eyes can also appear in children

Dark circles under the eyes in children and babies are usually not a cause for concern, as dark circles under the eyes are often just a hereditary factor, like light or hyperpigmented skin.

If it is accompanied by depression or other symptoms, it is worth consulting a doctor, because purple or red circles, spots, and a pale face that appear on the eyelids and around the eyes can also be caused by an illness or chronic condition.

The causes of dark circles under the eyes in children can often be nasal congestion, colds, or allergies, as the blood vessels swell during these times.

One of the symptoms of incipient sinusitis and upper respiratory tract disease is also dark circles under the eyes.

It is worth consulting a doctor when symptoms appear.

Psychological causes of dark circles under the eyes

Finally, as a matter of interest, we will cite some reasons that can be considered more psychological or spiritual in nature.

In his Body-Soul Dictionary, László Késmárki  describes the possible psychological causes of dark circles under the eyes, which are as follows:

• thirst for love
• lack of responsibility for oneself
• subconscious conceit
• suffering due to paternal influence
• anxiety due to rudeness.

Mental (spiritual) causes of dark circles under the eyes:

• Curses spoken against ourselves in this life
• suppressed ambitions
• suppressed destructive illusory thoughts
• apostasy due to separation from a loved one.

In our two-part article, we tried to explore all the possible causes that shed light on the background of the “dark circles under the eyes” phenomenon.

Whatever the underlying cause, it’s good to know that there is a solution for under-eye circles .

Health is not a game!

The most important thing should not be “fighting the fire” or immediately removing the rings, but rather lifestyle changes and medical advice.

Of course, there are reliable  , clinically tested serums and creams that do not cause any eye irritation.

One such product is our INSTANTENSE® PLUS LIFTING SERUM , which visibly reduces dark circles under the eyes in minutes and is also effective in the long term if used regularly! 

We are happy to answer any questions our dear readers may have about serum.