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Health

Red circles under the eyes

, medical expert
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
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The eyes and the skin around them are very delicate tissues that primarily reflect any problems in our body. Red circles under the eyes can appear due to many reasons, so do not rush to hide them under a layer of makeup, but be sure to find out the reason for their occurrence.

Causes of Red Circles Under the Eyes

Medical experts confidently say that the shade of the skin around the eyes can indicate a specific disease of the body. In particular, dark circles are most often associated with problems in the digestive tract, blue circles with circulatory disorders, yellow circles with liver and gallbladder dysfunction.

The reasons for this symptom may be the following:

  • kidney disease. In this case, red circles are often combined with swelling around the eyes, regardless of the amount of liquid drunk during the day;
  • allergic phenomena. Occurs in people prone to allergies, be it food allergies, dust, smoke or animal hair;
  • oxygen deficiency. With a predominantly sedentary lifestyle, it is necessary to go outside at least occasionally to get some fresh air. Stale air indoors leads to a lack of oxygen in the blood, which can provoke tissue hypoxia;
  • alcohol abuse, unhealthy lifestyle;
  • diseases of the brain (hemorrhages, meningitis, etc.);
  • overly sensitive skin. If you have thin and light skin, then circles under the eyes can appear even for the most banal reasons: lack of sleep, a difficult work schedule, nutritional errors and stress.

Sometimes this symptom is a consequence of trauma to the face or head, or is the result of conjunctivitis or any condition that causes lacrimation.

Red circles under the eyes as a symptom of disease

Red circles under the eyes may not be the only symptom of any disease. When examining and testing a patient, you should also pay attention to other signs that appear simultaneously with red circles around the eyes:

  • tearing of the eyes, either constant or appearing as a reaction of the eyes to a sharp source of bright light;
  • swelling around the eyes;
  • the presence of the smell of alcohol from the mouth;
  • rash on the body, runny nose, sore throat;
  • visual impairment, headache, disturbances of consciousness;
  • increased intraocular pressure, sudden deterioration of vision, eye pain;
  • sudden widening or narrowing of the pupil.

If a number of the listed symptoms are detected, a doctor's consultation is mandatory. The last few signs should be especially alarming, as they may be a signal of a serious problem - cerebral hemorrhage, brain cancer, inflammation of the meninges or aneurysm.

Red circles under the eyes of a child

The child's health can often be judged by his appearance, which is especially noticeable on the skin of the face. You should not panic suddenly if you notice red circles under the child's eyes. After all, there can be many reasons for this, and not all of them are so terrible. First, you need to figure it out.

As practice shows, they most often appear when a child suffers from sleep disorders or eats improperly. This symptom may also indicate the development of an allergic reaction in the child's body.

In any case, you should not try to cure the symptom on your own: this can only worsen the course of the disease that caused the appearance of this symptom, but has not yet been diagnosed.

Of course, if circles under the child's eyes are not uncommon, then by observation it is possible to trace and establish the provoking factor, but it would still be better to seek help from a doctor. After all, red circles can be a dangerous signal that the baby has a disease of the brain, kidneys or circulatory system.

Redness around the eyes may indicate problems with the thyroid gland, or an infection of the nasopharynx, eyes, and even ears. In such cases, the help of a specialist is simply necessary.

Sometimes this symptom only means that the child is simply tired and needs rest and healthy sleep. This is especially true if children sit in front of computer or TV screens for a long time. Such situations can be resolved by creating a schedule or daily routine that clearly states how much time the child can spend in front of the monitor. Instead of sitting in front of the computer for a long time, offer your child a walk in the fresh air, play active games, etc.

If the cause cannot be identified, consult a doctor. The doctor will prescribe all necessary tests to establish and promptly begin treatment for the cause of this phenomenon.

Red and blue circles under the eyes

This is one of the indicators of some problems in the body. In most cases, this symptom is associated with overwork and lack of sleep, stressful situations, chronic intoxication of the body or pathology of the urinary system, less often - with heart disease.

The appearance of red-blue "shadows" around the eyes can also be caused by prolonged exposure to a computer screen. The skin around the eyes is very thin and vulnerable, it is several times more delicate than other skin surfaces. Under the adverse effects of external factors, blood depleted of oxygen is retained in the capillary network around the eyes and begins to appear through a thin layer of skin. If, in addition, the tissues contain insufficient moisture, the circles under the eyes become even more distinct, and the eyes look as if they are sunken.

If no measures are taken to eliminate the causal factors of red-blue circles around the eyes, then over time more serious pathological consequences will appear.

When you have red-blue circles under your eyes, it is important to pay attention to the shade of the color:

  • if the shade tends to pinkish-blue, then bladder diseases are possible;
  • if the circles have a pinkish-lilac tint, then perhaps the body suffers from iron deficiency anemia;
  • a tendency to a purple hue suggests that the problem should be sought in the liver or heart area. It is also recommended to check the blood sugar level.

To clarify the reasons for the appearance of red-blue circles under the eyes, it is recommended to consult a specialist.

Diagnosis of red circles under the eyes

To diagnose the disease, a number of studies must be carried out. What diagnostic methods can be used? Which doctor should you contact?

  • If the appearance of red circles around the eyes is associated with an allergy, then an allergist can prescribe you skin diagnostic tests and laboratory tests. Skin tests include a scarification test, an intradermal test, or a needle test. All these methods give a result about the presence of an allergy in 20 minutes.

Laboratory tests include blood immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels, a complete blood count, and possibly a stool test.

  • Red circles are one of the symptoms of conjunctivitis, and usually this disease is diagnosed by an ophthalmologist without the use of additional studies, based on an external examination and the patient’s complaints.
  • Red circles under the eyes, as a consequence of kidney or bladder diseases, are diagnosed by a therapist or urologist using a general blood test, biochemical examination, urine analysis. In some cases, it is necessary to use a biopsy, histological tissue analysis and ultrasound of the kidneys. Less often, excretory urography is performed - a radiographic study of renal function.
  • If brain diseases are suspected, a study of the cerebrospinal fluid, tomography and X-ray of the skull, as well as a bacteriological study are carried out. Most often, such diseases are treated by a neurologist.

In addition to the above studies, it is recommended to check arterial and intraocular pressure, and take a blood test for hemoglobin.

Based on the results of the studies, treatment for the corresponding disease will be prescribed.

Treatment for red circles under the eyes

Treatment of red circles under the eyes cannot be based only on getting rid of a cosmetic defect. The cause of this symptom can be quite serious, so only a full examination will help to find out the factors causing this symptom.

If the research did not help to detect any pathologies in the body, then you should pay attention to your lifestyle and some habits.

  • If you are used to touching and rubbing your eyes while sitting in front of a computer screen, get rid of this habit. Rubbing your eyes irritates the mucous membrane, and unwashed hands can introduce an infection, which will later cause an inflammatory reaction.
  • If you suffer from chronic sleep deprivation and fatigue, adjust your daily routine. If you can't fall asleep for a long time, take a sedative: the body needs proper rest.
  • If you are prone to allergies, try to avoid direct contact with the allergen. Consult a doctor: he will prescribe special medications for you.
  • Drink enough water. Lack of moisture in the body can also be the cause of this symptom.

Of the medical and cosmetic methods for getting rid of red circles under the eyes, the following are the most popular:

  • microcurrent treatment is a method that accelerates the outflow of venous blood and lymph, and also eliminates excessive pigmentation;
  • Laser therapy – lightens dark circles under the eyes while eliminating wrinkles;
  • manual therapy and massage of the facial surface and cervical spine – improves lymph flow, improves blood circulation;
  • lipofilling procedure – introduction of additional fat layer into the periorbital area.

Folk remedies

  • The use of contrast baths and washings helps eliminate fatigue and, if used regularly, helps get rid of red circles around the eyes. It is recommended to use contrast baths often, about 7 times a day, alternating cool and very warm (not hot) water.
  • Use compresses from medicinal plants that soothe the skin. Take one teaspoon of chamomile, fennel or sage, steam it with 100 ml of boiling water and let it brew. Apply it as a compress, either warm or cold.
  • A well-known mask made from grated raw potatoes gives a good effect. Place the potatoes in gauze and apply to the eye area for 15 minutes. If you don’t have potatoes at hand, you can replace them with ground parsley root.
  • Cucumber mask: cut fresh cucumber into thin slices and apply to the eye area for 15 minutes.
  • Use eye exercises, especially if you work for a long time at the monitor. Close your eyes, move your eyeball to the sides, diagonally, virtually move your eyes clockwise and counterclockwise, “draw” virtual numbers from 1 to 9 with your eyes.

Take preparations containing extracts of blueberries, horse chestnut, vitamins A, C, lipoic acid.

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Prevention of red circles under the eyes

One of the most common causes of red circles is considered to be eye strain and constant fatigue. This condition is typical for professional activities related to working on a computer or watching TV for a long time. Excessive strain is also observed when reading books, especially in low light conditions.

For prevention, you should occasionally take breaks during work to allow your eyes to rest and recover.

The strain on the eyes is also increased by insufficient lighting, which can often be seen in offices. Incidentally, excessively bright lighting devices can also have an irritating effect on the organs of vision.

Cigarette smoke is also harmful to the eyes: try not to smoke yourself and do not allow others to smoke in your presence.

Establish a daily routine, devoting enough time to both work and rest. Review your diet: switch to fresh natural products, giving up semi-finished products and dry snacks.

Carefully observe your skin's reaction to cosmetics: you may be allergic to one of them.

Drink enough liquid throughout the day, and even better – pure water. Avoid drinking too much sweet soda, sweet strong tea and instant coffee.

Take more walks in the fresh air, play active games. Try to walk instead of using public transport where possible.

Avoid injuries, especially to the head and face. In case of accidental injury, do not wait for consequences, contact the emergency room.

Red Circles Under Eyes Forecast

Red and other circles around the eyes are a well-known problem for many people. Since there can be many reasons for this phenomenon, the prognosis depends on the timely and successful solution of the main problem - the initial disease that provoked the appearance of this symptom.

If you follow all the above tips and also listen to the doctor's recommendations, you can easily eliminate red circles under your eyes. For a better effect, you can add eye exercises and a daily morning massage of the facial area. This massage will help get rid of not only red circles, but also swelling, since during the procedure the drainage function and blood circulation in the facial area improve.

If you can't fix the problem at home, you should see a doctor without delay. There is a good chance that there is some hidden disease in the body, and red circles under the eyes are just a consequence of more serious ailments.

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