Ask Dr. Schultz
Is it possible to treat dark circles from allergies?
Question: I have had dark circles under my eyes since I was a child. I have been told that they are called allergic shiners. I have suffered from dust/mold/seasonal allergies since childhood as well as acute sinusitis. Is there any known medical or OTC treatment that will lessen these circles? Concealer gets so tiresome after awhile.
I am not aware of any medical or OTC treatment that will lessen these circles and I understand your frustration with concealer. The problem is your allergies cause increased blood under the skin near your eyes and that causes most of the darkness of the “allergic shiners.”
Medical control of your allergies by your internist or allergist will help decrease the blood and therefore the darkness but the bottom line is the only thing that really works to significantly reduce the extra blood (and therefore the darkness) is laser treatments to eliminate some of the blood vessels carrying the extra blood. Consult with a dermatologist who performs laser treatments for relief from your dark circles.