Bruises under the eyes of a child: causes and what it could be

The appearance and condition of the baby’s skin is an important indicator by which one can judge his health and well-being. One of the phenomena that is often observed in infants is the appearance of circles of different shades under the eyes, which causes serious concern for parents. What does this sign indicate, and in what cases should you sound the alarm?

Bruises under the eyes of a baby

Why might dark circles appear under the eyes of a baby?

The appearance of dark circles or bruises, as they are often called popularly, does not always indicate health problems and pathologies in the body. On the other hand, some factors that provoke this phenomenon can cause health problems, so darkening under the eyes should not be ignored, especially if it does not disappear for a long time.

Dark circles under the eyes may indicate various diseases.

The most harmless cause of dark circles under the eyes is a genetic predisposition. People with thin, light skin, an asthenic body type and a special structure of the eye sockets are prone to the formation of dark circles under the eyes, since their blood vessels are located close to the surface of the skin. To find out whether a genetic factor is involved in the appearance of darkening, you should carefully look at the child’s close relatives. If a baby “received” bruises by inheritance, medicine is powerless to help him - this phenomenon will accompany him throughout his life.

For reference: “hereditary” bruises can change their shade to a more intense one under the influence of lack of sleep or illness, but in any case they do not pose any danger to the child’s health. Moreover, with age, the epidermis will become denser and the blue discoloration will be less noticeable.

Thin skin is one of the reasons for dark circles under the eyes.

Otherwise, the root of the problem must be sought in violations of the baby’s daily routine, errors in nutrition and pathologies of internal organs.

How does overwork cause darkening of the skin under the eyes?

Common Causes of Dark Circles Under Eyes in Babies

All the reasons that provoke the appearance of bruises under the eyes in infants can be divided into two categories - non-pathological and pathological. Non-pathological factors include those that can be dealt with on your own, while pathological factors include diseases of internal organs that require consultation with a doctor, and in some cases, serious treatment.

The main causes of dark circles under the eyes

1. Soft tissue injuries . Children who are already able to move around the room independently often bump into objects and hit furniture, and a slight blow is enough to cause a bruise. If the child feels well and does not show signs of lethargy or excessive agitation, it is enough to apply a cold compress to the bruised area. In case of severe bleeding, loss of consciousness and other alarming symptoms, you should immediately call an ambulance.
2. Violations of the daily routine . For proper rest, a child must have a normal daily routine from the first months of life - the baby sleeps much better if he is put to bed at the same time. Overexcitement, lack of sleep, infrequent walks, and sleeping in a dusty, poorly ventilated room can lead to an unhealthy appearance and the appearance of bruises under the eyes.
3. Teething . Teething is often a significant discomfort for children and can cause a range of different symptoms, including dark circles around the eyes.
4. Poor nutrition . The lack of vitamins and microelements in the diet of a baby or nursing mother provokes a disruption of metabolic processes in the body and the development of vitamin deficiency. When there is a deficiency of nutrients, it is the skin that suffers first - it becomes pale, sometimes begins to peel, and characteristic darkening appears under the eyes.

Scheme of baby teeth eruption

Gums before teething

Attention: mild forms of vitamin deficiency can be eliminated with the help of a properly organized diet, but in severe cases, the child needs to take medications that can only be prescribed by a doctor.

Red under-eyes in a child

Associated symptoms

What can cause snot in a baby - possible causes

Red spots around the eyes occur in a child either as a separate symptom or as a consequence of other accompanying symptoms:

• sudden increase in temperature;
• disturbances in sleep and daily routine;
• disorders of the digestive system;
• mood changes.

Important! The causes of the rash, according to doctors, are always some problem from the inside. “On the surface” a consequence of the disease appears in the form of a rash

Therefore, treatment should be aimed specifically at eliminating the internal cause; it should be identified.

What should parents do?

There can be many reasons for redness in the eye area, and it is unlikely that parents will be able to identify them on their own.

Therefore, it is recommended to show the child to a specialist.

To begin with, it should be a pediatrician, and after that he can refer you to another doctor depending on the nature of the problem: an ophthalmologist, an allergist, a dermatologist.

Further measures will depend on what caused the problem. In case of allergies, it will be necessary to identify the allergen and exclude contact with it; antiallergic drugs are indicated.

If the redness is caused by pathogenic microorganisms, the doctor will prescribe medications to combat them.

What treatment is necessary and in what cases?

If the red dots are the result of insect bites, symptomatic treatment is required in exceptional cases when a person develops severe allergic reactions.

Also, therapy is not needed if such a symptom is a consequence of nervous overstrain - it is enough to normalize your work and sleep schedule, and over time the skin condition will normalize.

In cases of pathological petechiae, treatment will be determined by the origin of the red dots.

In extremely rare cases (for example, with seborrheic dermatitis and abscesses), surgery may be required to remove necrotic tissue and blood vessels.

But more often the cause of petechiae is an allergy, in which case treatment with antihistamines is required.

It is always recommended to supplement such therapy with a course of fortification. If you have problems with blood vessels, it is better to choose multivitamin complexes containing calcium, zinc and vitamins E and A.

The following agents have a complex effect:

1. Advantan. Anti-inflammatory ointment that helps with allergies and eliminates irritation, itching and burning. The drug contains no potent components. And despite the fact that this is a glucocorticosteroid drug, which has serious contraindications, in the absence of them, in most cases the cream is well tolerated by patients.
2. Radevit. A symptomatic remedy that soothes itching, also has a moisturizing effect and helps to activate regenerative processes in facial skin cells. It is possible to use Radevit for mild manifestations of allergies.
3. Momat. Another glucocorticosteroid cream that relieves inflammation and can be used to treat seborrheic dermatitis and any dermatoses in the initial stages.
4. Gistan. An antiallergic drug that is sold in the form of an ointment for external use and in capsules for oral administration.
5. Lokoid. Ointment for the treatment of many skin lesions of non-infectious origin. Among other things, it can be used to speed up the elimination of red dots).
6. Traumeel. For burst blood vessels around the eyes, the drug is prescribed to be used in the form of an ointment. The product penetrates through the skin into the walls of blood vessels, restoring and strengthening them.

Infectious pimples

The infection in its description has a number of signs that complement the appearance of the rash:

• fever;
• the baby suddenly became covered in spots;
• no appetite;
• now chills, now fever;
• muscle pain, so that the baby is constantly trying to take some position;

Bruises under the eyes in infants and diseases of internal organs

Pathological causes of changes in skin color under the eyes, or diseases of internal organs in any case require consultation with a specialist and appropriate treatment. As a rule, they are accompanied by additional symptoms, but in the early stages of the disease the only symptom may be dark circles under the eyes.

The symptom may indicate diseases of the internal organs

1. Helminthiasis (infection with worms) . Bruises under the eyes are one of the most reliable signs of the presence of worms in the intestines. Parasites secrete waste products that cause intoxication of the body, and in addition, impair the absorption of nutrients. Other symptoms of helminthiasis include loss of appetite, weight loss, and constant anxiety due to itching in the anus.
2. Anemia . With a lack of iron in the body, a disease called iron deficiency anemia develops, accompanied by a decrease in the concentration of hemoglobin in the blood. To diagnose the pathology, a blood test and therapy with iron-containing drugs are necessary.
3. Cardiovascular diseases . If the functioning of the cardiovascular system is disrupted in children, in addition to bruises under the eyes, blue lips, shortness of breath, fatigue and an irregular pulse are observed.
4. Infectious diseases . Viruses and bacteria that enter the child’s body cause intoxication and disruption of metabolic processes, as a result of which dark circles appear under the eyes. Sometimes a similar phenomenon is observed during the recovery period from the flu, ARVI, sore throat, etc. - in this case it does not require treatment and goes away on its own.
5. Neurological disorders. If a child is constantly capricious, sleeps and eats poorly, and has bruises under his eyes, the reason may lie not only in an improperly organized daily routine, but also in neurological disorders.

   
   Neurological disorders in infants

6. Pathologies of the urinary system . Frequent or, conversely, too infrequent urination, anxiety when urinating, swelling of the eyelids and skin around the eyes, dark circles can be manifestations of kidney and bladder diseases.
7. Displacement of the cervical vertebrae . In infants, this pathology usually develops as a result of difficult childbirth or birth injuries. Due to the displacement of the vertebrae, blood vessels are compressed, the blood supply to the brain and eye tissue deteriorates, which is manifested by dark circles.
8. Oncological diseases . The most dangerous cause of dark circles under the eyes is malignant neoplasms. In the presence of cancer, a child quickly loses weight, becomes lethargic, tearful and irritable, often refuses to eat and rapidly loses weight. In addition, due to dysfunction of the immune system, he may often suffer from viral and infectious diseases.

If in adults 90% of tumors are associated with exposure to external factors, then for children genetic factors are somewhat more important

Important: it is impossible to independently diagnose a baby when bruises under the eyes appear, even if they are accompanied by additional symptoms. To determine the pathology, you need to contact a specialist and undergo a complete diagnosis of the body.

Basic principles of treatment

Only a doctor can determine why the skin around the eyes of a baby turns blue. The specialist will prescribe the necessary tests and, if necessary, select the correct course of treatment. It is not recommended to delay a visit to him, because the problem may only get worse over time.

With proper nutrition, the child’s body receives a sufficient amount of vitamins and minerals

Blue circles in the nose area appear in case of injury. In this case, it is impossible to do without a visit to a traumatologist. He will determine the cause of the bruise and prescribe the necessary ointment. It will need to be used regularly, because only in this case will it be possible to achieve a positive effect. Medicines are used for their intended purpose. Self-medication is dangerous for the baby, because medications are selected depending on the individual characteristics of the body.

We recommend reading: Red spots on the face of a baby

Worms can be diagnosed using a smear for enterobiasis. Additionally, you will need to study the feces. This prescription is given by a pediatrician.

The causes of bruises may lie in a lack of iron in the body. This pathology can be diagnosed using a blood test. Additionally, it should be noted that a periodic decrease in iron levels in the blood can be observed even in a healthy person

They don’t pay much attention to this, since the baby is constantly growing and developing, and this indicator can be changed at any time

If iron deficiency has been diagnosed, it is recommended that a nursing mother include the following foods in her diet:

• liver;
• fresh pomegranate juice;
• apples, fresh or baked in the oven;
• buckwheat porridge.

It is important for newborns that their mother receives the required amount of vitamins and minerals from food. Thanks to this, the infant’s body will receive all the nutritional components for proper growth and development.

What does the color of the circles under the eyes mean?

The shade of circles under the eyes is one of the criteria by which one can, if not establish the exact cause of their appearance, then at least suspect a certain disease.

The color of circles under the eyes may vary

Table. What can the color of the skin around the eyes indicate in various pathologies?

What allergies look like in infants (photo)

In addition to the shade, you need to pay attention to the other characteristics of the circles around the eyes. The so-called raccoon eyes are considered especially dangerous - reddish or bluish rings that surround the eye socket like glasses. Most often they indicate serious injuries to the face and skull, less often - one of the forms of dermatitis, but in any case they require medical attention.

Which doctor should I contact?

If bruises appear under the eyes of a baby, you should first contact your local pediatrician. He will collect anamnesis and, if necessary, refer the child for additional tests - blood tests, stool, urine tests, ultrasound diagnostics, etc. In addition, consultation with a neurologist, cardiologist and other specialized specialists may be required.

Examination by a doctor

Diagnostics

If you injure your eye, you should definitely consult a doctor, even if, at first glance, the damage is insignificant. At the clinic, a specialist will examine the child and collect all the information regarding the incident.

Also, the baby may be prescribed the following studies, depending on the degree of injury and the method of its receipt:

1. Ophthalmochromoscopy.
2. Rheography.
3. Ultrasound.
4. Tonography.
5. Radiography.

However, this does not mean at all that in your case the child will be prescribed all of the above diagnostic methods. It is possible that the doctor will simply examine the baby and prescribe appropriate treatment without additional research.

However, there are cases when additional diagnostics are very important to make the correct diagnosis and prescribe the correct treatment.

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

If any pathologies are detected, the doctor will prescribe appropriate treatment, sometimes vitamin complexes, immunostimulating drugs, facial and neck massage. If the child’s condition does not cause concern, and a medical examination does not reveal serious pathologies, parents need to reconsider the child’s regime, nutrition and living conditions. A newborn must sleep at least 17 hours a day (this time is subsequently reduced), and the room where the sleeping area is located must be well ventilated and wet cleaning done regularly. Be sure to spend daily time in the fresh air (at least 2-3 hours), and for walks it is better to choose quiet places away from roads and industrial facilities.

Healthy baby sleep

Proper nutrition plays a fundamental role in the health of infants. Children who are bottle-fed should carefully select infant formula, after consulting with a pediatrician. Nursing mothers should also carefully monitor their diet - it should contain a minimum amount of fatty, fried, spicy foods, and it is better to exclude processed foods, canned food and any products containing chemical additives altogether. Instead, the menu should include lean meat, seasonal fruits and vegetables, buckwheat, pomegranates and liver to prevent iron deficiency anemia. Complementary feeding is introduced within the time frame established by the doctor, and begins with small portions of hypoallergenic foods - this will help avoid problems with the gastrointestinal tract and liver.

The baby must eat properly

When the baby begins to crawl, adults are faced with another problem - a high risk of injury. It is not recommended to restrict a child’s movement - it is better to remove from his reach all objects that could fall or cause injury in any way. The corners of furniture can be covered with special rubber or silicone pads. If the child does receive an injury, a cold compress should be applied to the bruised area, and the severity of the bruises can be reduced with the help of ointments prescribed by the doctor.

During the period when the baby begins to move independently, you need to think not only about his safety, but also about the prevention of helminthiasis - children want to taste everything that comes their way. To prevent infection with worms, a preventive course of treatment with anthelmintic drugs should be carried out from time to time.

prevention of helminthiasis

Attention: the use of any, even the most harmless medications (including topical use) without consulting a doctor can cause complications and side effects in infants. The best option is to apply a lotion of chamomile or green tea to the bruise.

What to do

If a bruise appears above the eye for no reason (or under it), self-medication is not recommended. The doctor selects treatment methods individually in each case. If the cause is a disease, then first of all drug treatment will be required. Traditional recipes can serve as a supplement, especially when the problem is not related to illness.

Folk remedies

Traditional medicine will help improve skin color in the eyelid area; masks and compresses are used for this. Tea leaves in bags work well for a compress. They are brewed with boiling water, allowed to cool slightly, squeezed lightly and applied to closed eyelids below the eyebrow. After 15 minutes, the bags are removed.

A paste of aloe leaves is suitable for a compress; it is wrapped in gauze napkins and applied to bruises. This compress can be kept for 2 hours. If the bruise is small, then you can attach a fresh aloe leaf to it with a band-aid.

To prepare the mask, a paste of grated raw potatoes and cucumber, taken in equal proportions, is suitable. The mixture is applied to a gauze pad and applied to the eyelids for half an hour. At least 4 such procedures will help get rid of the bruise.

Medicines

Badyaga helps get rid of bruises; this product is irritating to the skin. Under its action, the flow of blood to the affected area increases, metabolism is normalized and the hematoma quickly passes.

Heparin ointment and Troxevasin are effective. These medications increase blood circulation in the skin, improve their nutrition and restore the walls of blood vessels. The doctor prescribes the dosage and course of drug therapy individually for each patient; if necessary, vitamins for the eyes are also prescribed.

Important information: How to quickly remove a bruise on the lip and what to do to treat a hematoma

Komarovsky about bruises under the eyes of infants

The famous doctor Evgeniy Komarovsky believes that in the absence of alarming symptoms, the best way to remove bruises under a child’s eyes is proper rest, proper nutrition and walks in the fresh air. If bruises are accompanied by signs of disturbances in the functioning of the body, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible - the sooner the pathology is identified, the greater the chance of curing it without consequences and complications.

If there are no alarming symptoms, then there is no need to panic

Dark circles under the eyes of babies are not a reason for parents to panic, but a reason to be more attentive to the baby’s health and care. If you follow all the recommendations of pediatricians, this unpleasant phenomenon will bypass the child, along with the diseases that can cause it.