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Causes of Sudden Dark Circles Under Eyes

Remedies for Reducing Dark Circles Quickly

Lifestyle Changes to Prevent Dark Circles

While dark circles under the eyes can appear suddenly due to various reasons, they’re usually not a sign of a serious health issue.

Common culprits include stress, lack of sleep, dehydration, and allergies, all of which can cause blood vessels under the eyes to dilate and darken the area.

Other contributing factors can be genetics, hormonal shifts, anemia, and a diet high in salt or alcohol.

Regardless of the cause, Sudden Dark Circles Under Eyes can be concerning as they affect appearance and can make someone look older.

Read on to learn how to reduce and prevent them.

Causes of Sudden Dark Circles Under Eyes

Common causes of Sudden dark circles under eyes include:

Fatigue: Stress, fatigue, and lack of sleep can cause the skin under the eyes to look pale, making blood vessels more visible in that area.
Allergies: Histamine, which the body produces in response to certain substances, causes blood vessels to dilate and become more visible.
Genetic factors: Some families are at risk for developing dark circles.
Skin conditions: Conditions such as eczema, contact dermatitis, and psoriasis can cause blood vessels to dilate.
Sun exposure: Excessive sun exposure causes your body to produce more melanin, which darkens your skin.
Aging: As you age, your skin thins and loses volume, making your blood vessels more visible.
Stress: Chronic stress causes hormonal changes that weaken your skin and make your blood vessels more visible.

Other causes:

Poor circulation.
Poor nutrition.
Anemia.
Liver or kidney disease.
Alcohol and tobacco use.
A diet high in salt.
Medications. (David Geffen School of Medicine, n.d.)

Remedies for Reducing Dark Circles Quickly

Home remedies that can help you get rid of sudden dark circles under your eyes include:

Cold compresses: You can use a cold towel, spoon, or bag of frozen vegetables on your closed eyes to reduce puffiness and shrink blood vessels.
Cucumber slices: Cucumber slices have a cooling and soothing effect and can help shrink dilated blood vessels. Place them on your closed eyes to reduce puffiness.
Rose water: Soak a clean cotton ball in rose water and leave it on the area under your eyes for a few minutes.
Almond oil: Almond oil helps moisturize the skin under your eyes without damaging it.
Tea bags: Cooled green tea bags have a vasoconstrictive effect and improve blood circulation in that area.
Aloe vera: Gently massage aloe vera gel under your eyes.
Sleep: Get enough quality sleep to help your skin rejuvenate.
Diet: A balanced diet that includes fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains helps improve and rejuvenate your skin.
Moisturize: Keep your body and skin hydrated to help reduce the appearance of dark circles.
Sun protection: Use a suitable sunscreen to protect your skin from UV rays.
Reduce eye strain by taking breaks from your computer, phone, or TV.
Avoid harmful habits: Avoid alcohol and tobacco, as they contribute to the appearance of dark circles.

You can also try creams containing skin lightening ingredients or makeup to hide dark circles. (MedicineNet, n.d.)

Read Also: Anemic Eyes vs Normal

Lifestyle Changes to Prevent Dark Circles

To protect yourself from the appearance of Sudden dark circles under eyes, you can do the following:

Sleep for sufficient periods to ensure that your body gets the rest it needs, as sleep deprivation enhances the appearance of dark circles.
Drink plenty of water to keep your body and skin properly hydrated and reduce puffiness under the eyes.
Avoid salty foods and eat foods rich in vitamin C and iron, which promote healthy skin and blood circulation.
Avoid alcohol.
Quit smoking.
Wear sunglasses and apply sunscreen around the eyes.
Practice stress management techniques such as meditation and yoga.