Dark circles under eyes may be of warning of health issues

Stock photo of woman's eye. Credit / Shutterstock

You’ve probably looked in the mirror and noticed those pesky dark shadows under your eyes, especially after a rough night. But those bags that you’re carrying around might be more than just a cosmetic nuisance – they could be your body waving a red flag.

While it’s true that late nights and aging play a role in how our under-eyes look, chronic or worsening discoloration and puffiness could be signals of something deeper. And no, you don’t need to panic – but it might be time to pay a little more attention.

Let’s dive into what causes these changes, and when you might want to book that doctor’s appointment.

Common causes

Dark circles and eye bags aren’t always a reason to hit the panic button. Many causes are pretty harmless – and fixable.

Some of the common causes include:

Lack of sleep – Science hasn’t exactly nailed down a direct link between poor sleep and eye bags, but skipping out on sleep can definitely make things worse, especially in the morning.
Genetics – UCLA Health explains that the genetic information inherited from parents can also cause the skin beneath the lower eyelid to be darker than the surrounding skin. “If your parents or siblings have darker skin beneath their eyes, it is more likely that you will have or develop it as well.”
Sun exposure and hyperpigmentation – If you’ve been catching rays without sunscreen, your under-eyes may start to darken. Combine this with genetics, hormone shifts, or even allergies, and you’ve got yourself a case of periorbital hyperpigmentation – better known as dark circles. While this is a common condition, it “can affect an individual’s emotional well-being and influence quality of life,” according to a study published in the National Library of Medicine.
Allergies, swelling and edema – Chronic allergies can lead to puffiness and discoloration. The histamine response can cause blood vessels to dilate and leak fluid into nearby tissues – this is what’s commonly known as swelling. That puffiness isn’t just annoying, it could be part of a bigger immune reaction.
Dermatitis – Eczema and contact dermatitis can cause the blood vessels under your eyes to dilate and show through your skin.
Dehydration – When you’re not sipping enough water, the skin under your eyes can lose its glow and start looking tired and dull.
Aging and gravity – According to the Cleveland Clinic, aging is one of the most common causes of dark circles. “As you age, the skin below your eyes begins to loosen and thin out so the blood vessels under your skin may become more visible. This can darken the appearance of your under eyes,” the site explains. Let’s be real – gravity always wins.
Lifestyle factors. Other factors like stress, excessive alcohol use and smoking can cause dark circles under your eyes.

When to see a doctor

While most under-eye changes are benign, sometimes they’re your body’s subtle cry for help. If your eye bags and dark circles persist despite sleep, hydration, and a clean diet, it might be time to dig deeper.

Some of the underlying health issues include:

Poor blood circulation – Blood flow plays a big role here. To figure out if your dark areas are due to poor circulation, gently press the dark area under your eyes. If it lightens under pressure and darkens again after a few seconds, sluggish circulation might be the reason. A sedentary lifestyle or certain heart conditions can slow things down and create discoloration.
Food sensitivities – Here’s one you might not expect – your morning yogurt or that protein bar could be the villain. According to experts, food intolerances can cause chronic inflammation and under-eye darkening. And there are over 140 possible triggers.
Iron deficiency (Anemia) – If you’ve got dark circles and feel tired, cold, or dizzy all the time, low iron could be the issue. When your body doesn’t have enough iron, it struggles to carry oxygen through your blood and that results in the dull, discolored skin under your eyes.

While most dark circles and bags are nothing to worry about, they can sometimes be signs that your body needs a little extra TLC. If simple fixes don’t do the trick, don’t ignore it – have a doctor check it out.