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  • Don't panic because your child has dark under-eye circles with a red or purple tone. While this discoloration may indicate illness, usually it is a result of allergies, heredity or lack of sleep. Discovering the cause of dark, red circles under the eyes of children requires detective work and help from your pediatrician.

    Features

    Dark under-eye circles, according to the Mayo Clinic, are "dark, uniform areas of pigmentation beneath each eye." Some individuals develop dark circles in childhood, which remain for a lifetime. Red spots on the skin under the eye, however, require a doctor's evaluation and may result from more serious illness.

    Asthma

    Rule out asthma before other conditions. Nearly 7 million children suffer from asthma, according to the American Lung Association. Discoloration under the eyes is frequently the result of asthmatic conditions and may appear shortly before an asthmatic attack. Seek a doctor's opinion when your child has wheezing and difficulties breathing during exercise, along with dark, red circles under the eyes.

    Allergic Shiners

    Called "allergic shiners" by pediatricians and allergists, dark coloration under the eyes (sometimes with a purple or red tone) usually occurs with other symptoms related to allergies and asthma. Nasal congestion, sinus infections, and allergies cause the blood vessels between the eyes and nose to dilate, which, in turn, cause dark circles.

    Other Possible Causes

    Look for other symptoms and conditions when determining the cause of dark, red circles under the eyes in children. While your child's frequent sneezing, coughing and/or stuffy nose makes a case for allergies, lack of sleep might mean a simple bedtime adjustment. Pigment differences due to race, sun exposure or heredity include other reasons for dark circles in otherwise healthy children.

    Nutrition

    Sometimes dark, red under-eye circles begin to form in kids who have poor nutritional habits or who are vitamin deficient. Vitamin A and iron deficiencies are culprits for this type of under-eye discoloration in children.

    Treatment

    See a pediatrician if the dark, red under-eye circles seem related to asthma or allergies. Treatments will vary, according to information from the Nemours/Alfred I. DuPont Hospital for Children, depending upon the exact cause of the dark circles. Sinus infections usually require an antibiotic while allergies to dust, pet dander, and other allergens require prescription corticosteroids and/or antihistamines.

    Source:

    Kids Health

    Allergy and Asthma Advocate

    Pediatrics

    More Information:

    Dark Circles Under Eyes - Mayo Clinic

    Asthma - American Lung Association

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