2024-03-31 06:43:00
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Dark circles in children do not necessarily indicate a lack of sleep. In addition to iron deficiency, hypothyroidism or allergies such as hay fever can also be the cause.
Adults with dark circles under their eyes often indicate a heavy and sleepless night. In children with shadows under their eyes, lack of sleep or lack of fluids are not always the cause. In fact, various diseases such as kidney problems or hypothyroidism can be the cause. If your child has persistent dark circles under their eyes, you should get to the bottom of the cause and clarify this with a doctor. This phenomenon could possibly be an indication of an illness that requires treatment.
Your child has dark circles under the eyes: hay fever or a thyroid disorder may be the cause
Dark shadows under the eyes can be a sign of an allergy or thyroid disorder. (Symbolic image) © Aleksei Ivanov/Imago
Dark circles under the eyes are particularly visible in children with pale and delicate skin and are in many cases an indication of lack of sleep and dehydration. The latter can be a result of not drinking enough or enormous loss of fluids due to a gastrointestinal disease. Make sure that your child drinks enough, for example water, tea or diluted fruit juice.
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The following diseases can be the reason for the shadows under the eyes:
- Colds and flu-like infections: When you have a cold, the veins around your eyes dilate. The reason for this is the excess nasal secretion, which is difficult to drain when there is inflammation (sinusitis). Nasal showers and exercise in the fresh air help the immune system get the flu infection under control again.
- Pollen allergy: Dark shadows under the eyes in children can be a sign of an allergy. With hay fever, the child usually looks sickly and pale around the eyes. Typical symptoms of a pollen allergy or hay fever in the acute phase are itchy and burning eyes. They are also red, swollen and have increased tears. In addition, those affected may be more sensitive to light. At the beginning of the pollen season, even when early bloomers are on the way, hay fever can be announced by dark shadows under the eyes.
- Iron deficiency: If your child has an iron or vitamin deficiency, this can also cause dark circles under the eyes. A blood test by the doctor can confirm a possible suspicion. To prevent iron and vitamin deficiency, it is important to eat a balanced diet with plenty of fruit, vegetables and iron-rich foods (meat, legumes, nuts).
- Kidney and thyroid diseases: If your child’s dark circles appear yellowish, this may indicate kidney or thyroid disease. You should definitely discuss this with a pediatrician and have it clarified.
Dark circles do not always have to be an indication of an illness. In some cases these are also predispositions. Especially in children with pale skin, the blue veins under the eyes can show through and look like dark circles under the eyes.
This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication. It in no way replaces a visit to the doctor. Our editorial team is not allowed to answer individual questions about medical conditions.
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