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Recent Questions


I am starting to get bags and dark circles under my eyes. I am only 20! How did they get there and how can I get rid of them?

Getting bags and dark circles underneath the eyes is a common problem of many college students. This problem can be attributed to a few different things. First of all, sleep may play a large role in this problem, especially during finals. It’s a good idea to get anywhere from seven to nine hours of sleep. While sleeping, the Mayo Clinic suggests sleeping in an elevated position to reduce swelling. “This helps prevent fluids from accumulating around your eyes as you sleep”.

Along with getting the right amount of sleep it is also important to get the proper nutrition. Dark circles are attributed to a lack of vitamin K and inadequate antioxidants. Many greens like spinach and cabbage contain these essential vitamins. It’s always a good idea to take a multivitamin along with the proper nutrition.

Allergies can cause itchiness, redness, puffiness and even swelling under the eyes. Most of the time an over-the-counter prescription for allergies can help relieve these symptoms. If the problem persists, see your physician.

Here are some quick tips to help get rid of those annoying bags and dark circles.

• Apply cucumbers, potato slices, or cold tea bags to your eyes for 10-15 minutes daily. Cucumbers and potatoes have been shown to reduce swelling and refresh the skin around the eyes. Tea bags have also been shown to reduce swelling as well as reduce discoloration.

• Reduce salt intake. Too much salt in one’s diet can create water retention. Water retention can take place under the eyes, causing bags.

• Use eye cream that contains vitamin K. Replenish the lack of vitamin K in your skin by rubbing a cream that contains this vitamin on a nightly basis.

• Stop rubbing your eyes! By rubbing your eyes you are irritating the skin and also breaking small capillaries around the eye causing discoloration and puffiness.

• Quit Smoking. According to the Mayo Clinic, “Smoking causes vascular (blood vessel) problems that can not only threaten your life, but also make your blood vessels appear more prominent and bluer beneath the skin”.


Stephanie Beecher, BA
Graduate Assistant
Health Iowa/Student Health Service

Written 10/23/08

Sources:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/dark-circles-under-eyes/AN00423
http://women.webmd.com/features/banish-the-bags-under-your-eyes
 

Question Link : http://www.uistudenthealth.com/question/default.aspx?q=1050