Can Sinus Problems Cause or Worsen Dark Under Eyes?

I had a chronic, constant sinus infection from age 13-18. One side effect was that the dark patches under my eyes I'd always had worsened significantly. Finally, an ear nose and throat doctor diagnosed me with vasomotor rhinitis (non-allergenic sinusitis caused by excessive or oversensitive blood vessels in the nasal membrane). Surgery corrected the sinus infection but the dark circles, while slightly lessened, remained. My sisters also have dark patches since an early age (we are 1/4 African American), but the one who has the darkest also had to have the same surgery. How can this be treated?

Asked 34 months ago by Miss Caitlin in Olympia, Wa

patches under my eyes

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Eye Dark Circles, Are They Related to Sinus Disease?

Hi Miss Caitlin, Dark circles under the eyes are one of the most difficult problems to correct. We really don't have the answer to the problem. They can be related to sinus problems as well as allergies; they have been called allergic shiners. They are also genetically passed down as you are seeing with your sisters. Many cosmetic companies have creams that claim to help, but I have not found one yet that works. Some patients get improvement with Restylane filling the hollowness of the... more

Michael A. Persky, MD

Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

Dark circles can be corrected with Arcus Release and IPL

Recurrant sinus infection with swelling of the eyes can certainly cause puffiness but not dark eyelid color. All humans have darker skin under the eyes--it is caused by the fact that the eyelid skin is very thin and the color of the muscle under the skin (purple) shows through the skin. However, many people have darker skin than most people under the eyes. This is an inherited trait. Skin color under the eyes can be lightened. Most dark circles under the eys are caused by a combination of... more

Brooke R. Seckel, MD

Boston Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Dark circles are difficult to treat

Hi Miss Caitlin, Dark circles under the eyes are certainly a difficult problem to treat. It is really hard to tell what may have caused your problem, but it sounds like you may have a combination of color related to nasal allergies/sinusitis, and genetically inherited circles. Other causes can be thin skin showing color of the blood vessels and muscle underneath, or shadow effect due to loss of fat in the lower eyelid area. I have advised most patients to try products designed for... more

Behrooz Torkian, MD

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Under eye circles are complex

There is no one answer to everyone's circles and under eyes puffs or discoloration. Sinus congestion is a common cause. Chronic allergies make people rub the skin, which darkens the skin over time. Sometimes, it is a hereditary pocket of fat. If there is no puffiness or bag, the discoloration might respond to Renova, Triluma, Lumierre, Revale, Eye Hope or other topical creams. These products do nothing for bags and profound swelling, however. For that, surgery might be best, or filler if... more