Ever noticed dark circles round the eyes of your loved ones? They are not a pretty sight at all.
And can be caused by loads of things that are not exactly working right with your body.
Dark circles round the eyes can be caused by poor sleeping habits, stress, a frequent massaging of the eyes, dehydration and can even be inherited from the family tree.
However, when these dark rings round the eyes are caused by colds, sinus infections or allergies they are known as allergic shiners.
Allergic shiners are common among children and adults alike.
It is easier to notice in children because the signs begin to show from formative years, especially when the child is reactive to one allergy or the other.
In women, allergic shiners can be mistaken for domestic abuse; the look is similar to that of a woman who has been socked in the eye by an abusive husband.
They are not the same.
A black eye is caused by veins that have broken down in the supply of blood, thereby giving an eye a very black look.
On the other hand, allergic shiners are triggered by sinus problems or nasal congestion.
This unfortunately blocks the circulation of blood to the heart and diverts it to underneath the eyes.
This makes the small veins located under the eyes expand and take on a blue-black color.
Reactive disorders that can set this off allergic shiners include: dust, molds, animal hair, fabrics, foods and weather conditions.
Asthma is usually the first signal that a child is a candidate for allergic shiners in the near future.
However, there are means to keep this unwelcome condition at bay and even eradicate it altogether.
The first step to take is to realize what exact allergy your child is reacting to so that the right treatment can be administered.
Once this has been discovered, the next step is to ensure that child is kept away from the allergens.
If a child is allergic to dust, clean the house regularly and never allow dust to accumulate.
If it is animal hair, never keep pets around the house or take your kid to the zoo or animal fair.
You can use antihistamine to treat these allergies.
They are great for sinus problems, prickly eyes and other reactive disorders.
They induce sleepiness, so adults and kids alike, should do not be engaged in any physical activity.
Ensure you are doing nothing when you use.
So that when sleep sets in, you can afford to doze off without any hassles.
Nasal sprays are also a good idea.
You can get an O-T-C- prescription and curb any allergies that you might have.
Remember that prevention is way better than a cure.