How to Get Rid of Dark Eye Circles Caused by Sinus

Allergic shiners appear as dark circles under the eyes, with dark and shadowy pigments that resemble bruises or “black eyes.” Also known as allergic facies and periorbital venous congestion, they occur when congestion in the sinus cavities causes vascular congestion in the veins under the eyes. When these small blood vessels are blocked and blood drainage is restricted, the blood pools and causes swollen veins, creating the appearance of dark circles.

Accompanying symptoms include itchy throat, runny nose, sinus pressure, watery eyes, and coughing – which can be mistaken for flu, cold, and sinus infections. However, allergic shiners occur due to nasal congestion that is caused by allergic rhinitis or allergies. Let’s take a closer look at this condition, how sinus issues can cause dark circles under your eyes, and learn how to get rid of dark circles caused by sinus infections.

How are Dark Circles from Sinus Infections Different from Regular Black Eyes?

When we think of symptoms of sinus infections or congestion, we usually think of symptoms that occur around the nose or throat area. So how does a sinus issue cause dark circles in the eyes, otherwise known as allergic shiners?

Allergic shiners can have the appearance of a blue or purple-coloured tint under the eyes, and they are caused by blood vessels around and under the eyes that have difficulty draining blood from facial veins. As such, the blood vessel swells and results in discolouration in the under eye area.

On the other hand, black eyes are caused by impact or trauma, and there is actually bleeding under the skin due to damaged capillaries or veins. Both types are highly visible as the skin under the eye area is very thin.

While allergic shiners and black eyes may look similar in some ways, only allergic shiners are caused by underlying sinus or allergy-related conditions.

Diagnosis of Allergies that Could Lead to Allergic Shiners

Nasal allergy occurs when the immune system mistakenly identifies a harmless substance, known as an allergen, as something harmful. This will trigger an allergic reaction, and histamine is released as part of the immune system response. This histamine reaction leads to allergy symptoms like runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, sinus infections, or allergic shiner black eyes as mentioned above.

Common allergens that cause allergic shiners include pollen, mould and fungus, and dust mites. Doctors will use various methods to diagnose allergies, including conducting a clinical history, blood tests, skin prick tests to test for specific allergens and nose scope (nasoendoscopy).

In a skin prick test, different droplets of allergens are placed on the forearm and a very small needle is used to prick the other part of the skin, allowing the allergen to enter. A naseoendoscopy procedure involves the use of a thin, flexible scope with a camera on one end (nasoendscope) that is inserted through the nasal cavity to look inside the nose, the throat (pharynx) and the voicebox (larynx).

How Can Allergic Shiners Be Treated?

If you frequently suffer from nasal congestion and bags or discolouration under your eyes from sinus infections, it is recommended to visit an ENT specialist in Singapore so you can receive the appropriate treatment and relieve your symptoms. It is also important to seek medical help when there are other serious symptoms present such as high fever or green nasal discharge with pain in the sinus area, or if other conditions like sleep apnoea or asthma emerge.

The aim of the treatment is to reduce congestion in the nasal and sinus cavities, hence releasing any blockage that prevents blood from flowing freely. Treatment options include nasal steroid sprays and oral antihistamines. In suitable patients with allergic rhinitis, sublingual immunotherapy may be recommended which involves spraying the allergen under the tongue to build tolerance to the allergen and reduce the allergic symptoms. If these treatments do not work, ENT specialists may suggest a sinus surgery to be carried out to open the pathways of the sinuses and clear blockages.

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Medically reviewed by Dr Gan Eng Cern

https://www.healthline.com/health/allergic-shiners#symptoms

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320211.php

https://www.healthhub.sg/a-z/medications/44/Allergic-Rhinitis