Dark circles under a child's eyes

The body of a small child is very delicate, not yet strong, so even minor external or internal influences affect its behavior. Quite often, parents can be alarmed by dark circles under the eyes of a child, and this is correct. After all, if the cause of the blueness is not a hereditary predisposition, then such a symptom may indicate some pathology.

Causes of Dark Circles Under the Eyes in Children

Any mother knows her child thoroughly and is able to distinguish when nothing bothers him, he is cheerful and sociable, but at the slightest illness, the baby's behavior changes dramatically. Some diseases, already in the "rudimentary" state, are able to make themselves known by pathological symptoms. Sometimes, attentive mothers can notice that her baby has bruises in the area of the lower eyelid.

For an adult, such a symptom may be a consequence of a hard day at work, but what about a baby? Is it a disease or a physiological norm? To answer this question, it is better to consult a doctor - a pediatrician. But it would not be superfluous for the parents themselves to know the reasons for dark circles under the eyes of a child.

As scientists and doctors have established, after long-term monitoring of this problem, these symptoms in a baby can be provoked by:

• Genetic predisposition. To establish the possibility of manifestation of this particular source of pathology, it is enough to simply take a closer look at yourself or your "other half", your closest or more distant relatives. If such symptoms are inherent to one or two of your relatives, then the cause of the deviation should be sought in something else, but if many have such a distinctive feature, then we can with a high degree of probability talk about a hereditary trait of the family. It is simply that the blood vessels, physiologically, are too close to the epidermal layer. But in such a situation, other sources should not be discounted.
• Anemia can also cause blueness. If this symptom is accompanied by rapid fatigue of the baby, decreased activity, signs of drowsiness, it is quite possible that this is the cause. In this case, a blood test of such children shows a reduced number of erythrocytes (red blood cells), which leads to an imbalance of blood components. There are few red blood cells, but white ones (leukocytes) predominate. This is why the skin seems pale, almost transparent. And in those places where the vascular system is close to the skin surface, the epidermis begins to shine blue.
• Trivial overfatigue. After all, children are the same people, only small. And they are also prone to fatigue. Perhaps it was a difficult day, filled with many emotions or physical exertion, and this fatigue simply “appears on the face” of the baby. The same reason can be attributed to prolonged sitting at the computer or in front of the TV. This can be explained by irritation of the visual receptors and a lack of oxygen in the baby's body.
• Bruises with a brown tint appear in people, including children, when the body is intoxicated. This is the result of the vital activity of pathogenic microorganisms or toxic substances. The "poison" is absorbed into the blood and spreads through all organs and systems of the body.
• An allergic reaction to some irritant. If this symptom is accompanied by other manifestations, then both parents and the doctor may suspect this pathology.
• Blueness under the lower eyelid can be a factor determining the presence of chronic tonsillitis in the anamnesis of children (or as specialists also call it - chronic staph infection). If the baby is constantly sick with colds, he often gets sore throats, then most likely it is this reason that caused the unhealthy appearance of the child.
• Vegetative-vascular dystonia can also provoke such a painful appearance. This is already the field of neuropathology. If the baby is bothered by dizziness, he complains of headaches localized in the temporal region, increased sweating, decreased vitality, then it is better to show the baby to a pediatric neurologist.
• Dark circles under the eyes of a child may also indicate that the baby’s body has been affected by some kind of infection.
• The cause of such an unhealthy appearance may be worms.
• If, in addition to dark circles, the baby's face becomes swollen, it becomes difficult for him to breathe through his nose, and there are other symptoms, then most likely the baby has adenoids.
• As strange as it may sound, dark circles under the eyes of a child can be caused by various dental diseases, such as caries.
• Another reason for the factor under consideration may be a lack of vitamins in the child's body. Modern cuisine, often in the race to reduce cooking time, is largely inclined to fast food, which cannot boast a balanced diet. Unhealthy food for the baby, lack of minerals and vitamins - as a result, not only a sickly appearance, but the body really needs help.
• If a baby spends little time outdoors, oddly enough, this can also be reflected on his face.
• The result of a blow or bruise.

Dark circles under the eyes of a child as a symptom

Unhealthy circles under the lower eyelid of a child can indicate a hereditary predisposition, living conditions (rare exposure to fresh air, excesses in diet, rest and pastime, etc.), and dark circles under the eyes of a child can also become a symptom of one or more diseases.

• Blueness under the lower eyelids can be a symptom of adenoids (proliferation of lymphatic tissue in the nasopharynx), if they are accompanied by other additional pathological abnormalities:
  • Swelling in the facial area.
  • Problems with nasal breathing.
  • A whistling sound appears when breathing.
  • Problems with sleep.
  • Night snoring.
  • In this case, you should definitely see a qualified specialist. You won't be able to stop this problem on your own, but you shouldn't ignore it either. After all, without nasal breathing, the patient's body receives less oxygen. The brain also receives less. Even a qualified doctor won't be able to predict the consequences of such a development of pathology.
• Dark circles under the eyes of a child can be caused by an allergic reaction of the body to an external or internal irritant. In such a situation, you should more closely observe the baby: his diet, analyze where you often go with your son or daughter to determine the allergen to which the child's body reacts. Additional symptoms of this pathology, in addition to blueness under the eyelids:
  • Hives.
  • Hyperemia of the skin.
  • Itching and rashes.
  • Edema of the mucous membrane, up to and including Quincke's edema, is possible.
  • A pediatric allergist can help with this. He will understand the situation and help to determine the source of the problem.
• The problem in question may be caused by chronic tonsillitis. This is a fairly severe disease caused by an infection such as staphylococcus. Other accompanying symptoms of this pathology are:
  • Frequent colds.
  • Angina.
  • The presence of a source of infection in the throat area.
  • Enlarged tonsils.
  • The tonsils appear covered with a pathogenic coating of a whitish or yellowish hue.

You can examine your baby's throat yourself, but self-medication is not advisable. It is better if the child is examined by an otolaryngologist. The specialist is able to make the correct diagnosis, assess the severity of the disease and prescribe effective and safer treatment for the baby. Otherwise, incorrect therapy can lead to complications that can affect the gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular system, other organs and systems of the "little" organism.

• In school age, one of the causes of the symptoms in question may be vegetative-vascular dystonia, which is accompanied by the following pathological manifestations:
  • Rapid fatigue of the baby.
  • Pain symptoms in the temporal part of the head.
  • Dizziness.
  • Paleness of the skin.
  • In this situation, a neurologist can help the child, and the local pediatrician will give a referral to him. The doctor will prescribe treatment, and at the same time give recommendations on how to organize the teenager's day: sufficient time spent in the fresh air, moderate physical and emotional stress, commensurate with rest.
• Dental problems that provoke an unhealthy shade around the eyes. In such a situation, a consultation and examination by a pediatric dentist is mandatory. If caries, gum inflammation or any other pathology is detected, adequate dental treatment is necessary, which only a qualified doctor can provide. Many parents believe that it is not necessary to treat baby teeth, because they will soon be replaced by permanent ones. This is not the right approach. After all, if an infection exists, then having lost baby teeth, it will “inherit” and pass on to permanent teeth.
• Anemia, which is not so much a disease as a condition of the biological system, in which the hematopoietic system produces insufficient quantities of red blood cells.
• Dark circles under the eyes of a child can also indicate more serious pathologies, which often affect adults, but can also affect the delicate body of a child.
  • Kidney disease.
  • Congenital pathology of the development of the heart and vascular system.
  • Disease of the nervous system.

Some health workers believe that with a certain amount of work experience, even by the shade of dark circles, it is possible to assume a certain disease that affects the body of a small patient. For example, it is believed that:

• a purple-blue tint under the eyes occurs when the patient has problems with the hematopoietic and circulatory systems,
• if the color of the tissue under the eyes is more red, this is a sign of allergies or kidney disease,
• if the bruise has a yellowish tint, then there are obvious problems with the gallbladder and/or liver,
• a brownish tint can indicate problems caused by helminths or prolonged intoxication.

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How to remove dark circles under the eyes of a child?

If parents are faced with this problem, the question immediately arises: how to remove dark circles under the eyes of a child? Only a pediatrician can give an answer to this question, and only after establishing the cause of the pathological manifestation. Therefore, the first thing a specialist will do is examine the little patient, analyze the daily routine and nutrition, and then give a referral for laboratory tests and, if necessary, for an instrumental examination.

If the tests do not reveal any abnormalities, then the problem is either genetic in nature or its roots are in the family's lifestyle. It is very likely that in pursuit of "the title of child prodigy" the child has too much mental or physical stress, spends little time outdoors, or spends all day in front of a computer monitor.

In this situation, it is definitely necessary to adjust the daily routine; maybe it is better to refuse one of the sections that the offspring attends, but preserve his still fragile health?

If the bruises are a consequence of a contusion or blow, then it would not hurt for parents to consult a doctor - a traumatologist. After establishing the cause of the hematoma, the doctor will prescribe the little patient lotions or ointments that can quickly rid him of the problem.

For example, it could be bodyaga forte, a drug that can be easily found in any pharmacy. This medicine has a local irritant effect. The medicine is applied externally. It is applied to the affected area several times a day, applying a thin layer that can be absorbed into the epidermis in a matter of seconds. If a strong burning sensation appears, the solution must be quickly washed off with plenty of warm water.

To prevent this from happening, before starting to use, apply a few drops of the pharmacological agent to the wrist of the little patient, holding for 15-20 minutes, if there is no reaction of the skin, it means that there will be no allergic reaction in the future, but if there is one, then you will have to stop taking the drug, replacing it with an analogue.

Contraindications to the use of bodyagi forte, in addition to increased sensitivity of the skin to the components of the drug, include a violation of the integrity of the epidermis in the area where the medicinal solution is planned to be applied.

If the cause of bruises is helminth invasion, then it is necessary to carry out therapeutic measures to rid the child's body of their presence. The pediatrician can prescribe one of many modern remedies: vermox, pyrantel, phytoglistotsid, decaris, zentel, nemozol, medamin, cleanlife, vormil, aldazol and others.

The anthelmintic (antihelminthic) drug vermox is taken by the patient orally, that is, through the mouth.

If enterobiasis is diagnosed, a parasitic disease caused, for example, by pinworms, then for adults and children who are already three years old, the recommended dosage is 0.1 g of the drug, which corresponds to one tablet taken once.

But the treatment protocol does not end there, after two and then four weeks, the intake of one tablet is repeated. This is done to eliminate not only adult individuals, but also their offspring. The drug should not be taken on an empty stomach, the tablet must be washed down with a sufficient amount of water.

If trichuriasis, ancylostomiasis, ascariasis or a combination of various helminths are diagnosed in a child’s body, then children who are already one year old are prescribed to take 0.1 g of the drug (one tablet) twice a day (in the morning and evening) for three days in a row.

When diagnosing strongyloidiasis or taeniasis, the attending physician prescribes his patient 0.2 g (two tablets) twice a day, also for the next three days.

Contraindications for this drug include increased intolerance of the small patient's body to the components of the drug, as well as if his medical history includes Crohn's disease, liver dysfunction or non-specific ulcerative colitis. The patient's age under two years is also prohibited.

If anemia is detected in the baby during the examination, the doctor may prescribe one of the modern drugs belonging to the group of drugs containing iron. For example, this may be actiferrin, hemohelper, ferlatum, maltofer, fenyuls and other analogues.

Fenuls is prescribed by the attending physician for oral administration. In case of latent iron deficiency, one capsule once a day, washed down with a sufficient amount of liquid.

The average duration of the treatment course is one month.

If the diagnosis of anemia is confirmed, the dosage changes slightly and the baby is prescribed one capsule twice a day for three months.

Contraindications to the use of this drug may include hemosiderosis, hemochromatosis, or individual intolerance of the child's body to the components of this drug.

In parallel with taking medications, the patient's diet should include pomegranate juice, buckwheat porridge, liver, dried fruits, egg yolk, fish and seafood, apples (both fresh and baked), whole wheat bread, nuts, leafy greens and other foods rich in iron.

If the source of dark circles under the eyes is chronic tonsillitis, then, without putting it off for too long, this disease must be treated in full. The disease will be stopped, and the symptoms will go away.

During treatment, it is possible to introduce into the treatment protocol antimicrobial and antiparasitic drugs of natural origin strepsils, ibuprom max, trifamox, taromentin, nalgesin, miramestin, clarithromycin, bioparox, vibramycin and other drugs with similar action.

The antiseptic drug strepsils is prescribed to adult patients and small patients who are already five years old - one tablet taken every two to three hours. But during the day, you should not exceed the intake of eight tablets. It is advisable to administer strepsils half an hour before or after meals. The drug is placed in the oral cavity and is absorbed until it disappears completely.

It is not recommended to prescribe this medicine in case of individual intolerance to the components of the medicine and to children under five years of age.

Prevention of dark circles under the eyes in a child

Whatever the cause of the pathology, prevention of dark circles under the eyes of a child should be carried out constantly, becoming a habit for both parents and, subsequently, the lifestyle of the child himself.

• A small child should not be given too much physical or emotional stress.
• From a very young age, children need to be taught the need for daily oral and body hygiene:
  • Proper brushing of teeth.
  • Rinse your mouth after every meal.
  • Parents should make sure that children do not put dirty hands in their mouths; later, children should remember this and do it themselves.
  • It is good to wash your hands with soap after using the toilet, going outside, playing with your favorite pet or toys, and so on.
• Children should spend enough time outdoors playing active games with their peers or just going for a walk.
• The child, and the whole family, should have a balanced, varied diet rich in vitamins, microelements and minerals.
• The child's daily routine must be harmonious, correctly combining time for games and activities with a period of rest. Rest must be complete.
• It would not be a bad idea to gradually introduce procedures into the child’s life that harden his body.
• When diagnosing a cold or any other disease, you must immediately visit a specialist and, with his help, undergo adequate treatment.
• You should not ignore preventive examinations by a pediatrician, even if you do not suspect anything wrong, blaming the baby's lethargy on a bad mood or assuming other reasons, the specialist will be able to recognize the disease, if it exists, at an early stage of its development, which will help to stop the problem faster and with less damage to the baby's health.
• Moderate, not excessive, exercise is also beneficial for the child’s body.
• Regular dental check-ups. If your child has caries or another dental disease, it must be treated immediately, without waiting for permanent teeth to grow.
• Classes in the pool.
• If the child's body is prone to allergies, it is necessary to eliminate or at least reduce to a minimum, if this is not possible, the source of irritation.
• If one or both parents have bad habits, but for the sake of the child they can be eliminated from their lives. If there is no strength to overcome them, then, for example, one should not smoke, at least in the presence of children.
• Communicate more with your children, showing your love!

If a child has had increased cyanosis under the lower eyelids since birth, then this may be a genetic predisposition of the family, but if dark circles under the eyes of a child have appeared recently, then this is a clear sign of negative changes occurring in the baby's body. The reasons that provoked this problem can be different, both domestic, which are easily stopped by adjusting the daily routine or diet, and pathological. These sources are already in the medical plane. Therefore, in order to understand what served as a catalyst for the problem in question, it is necessary to consult a qualified specialist for an examination. He will determine the source and give the necessary recommendations. Otherwise, parents, using self-medication, risk bringing the health of their baby to such a state when pathological processes become irreversible.

Therefore, be more attentive to your children, and do not ignore the help of a specialist. Only in such a tandem can you achieve the greatest efficiency of your baby's health!