Everyone knows it: When the night is short again, dark shadows appear under the eyes. Discoloration is usually a cosmetic problem, but in some cases it can have a more serious cause. We explain when dark circles are a sign of illness.
The morning look in the mirror is sometimes followed by a shock: Anyone who discovers dark shadows under their eyes is rarely enthusiastic. The good news: They are usually only a cosmetic problem and you can use home remedies to counteract the dark circles. However, in rare cases, they can also be an indication of various diseases .
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How are dark circles formed?
Dark circles, medically called halonation, usually become visible when blood vessels shine through the skin. The skin in the area below our eyes is particularly thin. The fact that blood vessels shine through the skin can either be hereditary or caused by various factors such as lack of sleep, not drinking enough water, iron deficiency, malnutrition or alcohol consumption. Hyperpigmentation, i.e. darkening of the skin, can also cause dark shadows under the eyes. This, in turn, can be hereditary or result from excessive exposure to the sun, various skin diseases or certain medications or drugs. Also because the skinchanged with age, dark circles can appear. Although the dark shadows under the eyes often make those affected look ill, in very few cases is there a serious illness behind it.
Also interesting: Dark circles – home remedies for dark shadows >>
Dark circles: when are they a sign of disease?
Some people are genetically more prone to dark circles than others. So if the dark shadows occur more often in any case, you usually don’t need to worry. This is especially true with lack of sleep and Co. Dark circles under the eyes can rarely manifest themselves as a symptom of organic diseases. These include:
- Schildrüsenerkrankungen
- kidney diseases
- heart failure
- liver diseases
If the heart is not pumping properly, there is a lack of oxygen, for example, which results in dark circles under the eyes. If the shades appear suddenly and last for a long time without there being an identifiable cause such as lack of sleep, you should see a doctor – especially if you have other symptoms such as excessive tiredness or problems concentrating.
By the way: During the pollen season, hay fever can also cause rings under the eyes. Burning and itching of the eyelids can cause the thin skin around the eyes to become inflamed, causing pigmentation and darkening the skin.
