Dark Circles Under Your Eyes?

I spent a few years in self-imposed sleep deprivation, due to a lot of things I need to do. Which was a stupid idea, by the way.

Here's what I find: the circles have little to do with the exact number of hours that you sleep (yes there is a connection of course). When I first heard about the connection to food allergies I didn't believe it. Than I started watching waht I eat for dinner, and observe the result.

Well, if I eat eggplants (my favorite food of all time), I get the circles in 100% cases.

I suspect it varies with the individual, but it would appear that some foods aren't digested right by certain people, especially during sleepm and the resulting toxins cause this effect.

Just my two slices of cucumber

I have permanent dark circles under my eyes, I think it stems from inheritance and being quite pale skinned. I've never thought of using remedies to help, I've just always accepted that that was part of me, but sometimes if I dont get enough sleep I look like I have a black eye, I'm going to try some of those remedies to see if they help

Originally posted by Aelita
Well, if I eat eggplants (my favorite food of all time), I get the circles in 100% cases.

I suspect it varies with the individual, but it would appear that some foods aren't digested right by certain people, especially during sleepm and the resulting toxins cause this effect.

Just my two slices of cucumber

That's weird...I was thinking that maybe it had something to do with the water-leaching properties of eggplants....but I don' think that would apply after it's been broken down chemically...interesting tho...I don't eat eggplant too often, but I wouldn't be surprised if diet does play a role...

diet? i dont think so ive always had dark circles under my eyes and have gone from eating a healthy diet as a kid to surviving on cheese, red wine and coffee and thats about it, and still the dark circles are there

ive been really active athletically lately and the darkness is minimal. thats what is workin for me at this point in time

All my life i have had the dark circles. I feel thy pain.

Originally posted by Magenta
diet? i dont think so ive always had dark circles under my eyes and have gone from eating a healthy diet as a kid to surviving on cheese, red wine and coffee and thats about it, and still the dark circles are there

Well - for you that may be the case...but it was discussed on the first page that circles under the eyes can stem from many different issues...equally so, there are many different treatments...

yeah and i will try them too, i just always accepted it as part of me but if they can be improved then its definately worth a try

I get the circle in three situations;

If I eat wheat (Wheat allergy)
If I undersleep
If I oversleep

Iam sure you can figuer out how to get ride of them just as I have.

Edit: Also if Im smok'in the 'electric lettuce'.

[edit on 9/17/04 by HumptyDumpty]

In my case dairy products seem to make them worse and sometimes dehydration does too.

I like reading what Dr. Weil has to say about medical conditions and here is a link to this topic on his website:

www.drweil.com...=TodayQA-questionId=3218

On a somewhat related topic...has anyone here heard of the use of melatonin pills to induce a more natural sleep cycle?? Any known negative side effects?

I read somewhere that melatonin pills can cause depression mimicking the same effects of the SAD syndrome some people experience with the change in seasons when there is less light during the day.

Be very careful with melatonin and herbs such as valerian that are marketed for homeopathic insomnia "cures". There aren't any comprehensive studies done on the safety and efficacy of these methods. Additionally there is no consensus in the medical field as to the safe and optimal dose ranges for these substances. Worse yet we have no idea about the manner in which these interact with mainstream medications.

The darkness under the eyes (sometimes referred to as "allergic shiners")is thought to relate to the circulation of the blood in that region of the eye, particularly since the skin is so thin. There are branches of vessels that nourish this area with dark arterial blood, and when dilated can lead to a visually noticeable darkening effect.

It seems to be genetically inherited, is part of aging, but can also manifest due to lack of sleep. Incidentally this is also one of the hallmark signs of marijuana abuse and dependence.

MK

Another thing to consider...Anemia. I'd never had dark circles in my life. Then one day the eyes start looking pretty black and I'm tired all the time. This went on for several years till some MD had the good sense to practice some basic medicine and realized that I should have been diagnosed with Anemia some years before. As long as I'm taking iron supplements I have absolutely no blackening around the eyes and I'm no longer tired all the time.

Another thing I forgot to mention. I do notice there's a big difference in the black circles caused by Anemia compared to blackening caused by allergies or lack of sleep...of which I suffer from both, also. With the blackening from the anemia it's just black and not necessarily sunken looking...just black, but otherwise the skin texture/firmness around the eyes is normal. However, when the blackening is caused by food/environmental allergies or lack of sleep...it's usually accompanied by puffiness.

[edit on 22-10-2004 by Wyzewun]

I started taking melatonin about three weeks ago - just one a night...but I havn't noticed anything different...Since I don't see any changes and given some of the interesting information you guys have come up with, I think I'll just stop taking them....

The darkness under the eyes (sometimes referred to as "allergic shiners")is thought to relate to the circulation of the blood in that region of the eye, particularly since the skin is so thin. There are branches of vessels that nourish this area with dark arterial blood, and when dilated can lead to a visually noticeable darkening effect.

It seems to be genetically inherited, is part of aging, but can also manifest due to lack of sleep. Incidentally this is also one of the hallmark signs of marijuana abuse and dependence.

Yeah...this seems to be the most accepted explination I've found on the web...and the bit about the marijuana use is very true....I don't think that's where I'm getting mine from though, but of course, even occasional smoking I'm sure doesn't help it much...

do notice there's a big difference in the black circles caused by Anemia compared to blackening caused by allergies or lack of sleep...of which I suffer from both, also. With the blackening from the anemia it's just black and not necessarily sunken looking...just black, but otherwise the skin texture/firmness around the eyes is normal. However, when the blackening is caused by food/environmental allergies or lack of sleep...it's usually accompanied by puffiness.

Now that you mention it, Ive noticed those subtle differences myself...I don't have anemia, but my mother does - sometimes she'll get the circles and you can see the difference between hers and mine...not that mine are really pronounced...in fact, I think I make a bigger deal out of it than they are - I've seen some people with far worse...but I guess it's a trait some have to live with...

MKULTRA...you mentioned that it is sometimes referred to as "allergic shiners"...I'm wondering if anyone knows the actual medical name for this condition...surely they have one...

Originally posted by EnronOutrunHomerun

do notice there's a big difference in the black circles caused by Anemia compared to blackening caused by allergies or lack of sleep...of which I suffer from both, also. With the blackening from the anemia it's just black and not necessarily sunken looking...just black, but otherwise the skin texture/firmness around the eyes is normal. However, when the blackening is caused by food/environmental allergies or lack of sleep...it's usually accompanied by puffiness.

Now that you mention it, Ive noticed those subtle differences myself...I don't have anemia, but my mother does - sometimes she'll get the circles and you can see the difference between hers and mine...not that mine are really pronounced...in fact, I think I make a bigger deal out of it than they are - I've seen some people with far worse...but I guess it's a trait some have to live with...

If your mother is anemic make sure you get tested for it once in a while. Apparently it runs in families and can go undetected for a long time, as it did in my case. I had been anemic for about 6 years till I switched MD's...the guy picked up on it just by looking through my past records. Anemia can cause alot of health problems so this is something you'll want to stay on top of.

And re: melatonin. Any Naturopathic Doctor I worked for always stated that it should only be used by persons who are at least over 40 years of age...and only under the supervision of a practitioner. We naturally produce melatonin and unless you know for a fact that your levels are down signifigantly, you shouldn't be supplementing and run the risk of over medicating yourself. Never self-medicate where hormones are concerned.

Originally posted by EnronOutrunHomerun
Incidentally this is also one of the hallmark signs of marijuana abuse and dependence.

Which is usually always accompanied by glossiness and redness of the eyes...not to mention the pupils may not look normal. I guess you'd have to have alot of experience or just be very observant to notice the difference. I worked at a clinic that treated alot of drug/alcohol rehab patients and we could spot users the moment they came through the door.