Not because of lack of sleep, these are 4 causes of panda eyes in children

Enlarged and blackened eye bags are more common in adults. This usually happens when they are sleep deprived. However, this condition can also occur in children. Could it be the same cause? Instead of guessing, let's find out more about the causes of panda eyes in the following children.

The cause of panda eyes on your little one

Seeing children's funny faces and whims will definitely make you cringe. However, the reaction is different if you see a child with black and enlarged eye bags. This condition makes him look like a baby panda and you become worried.

According to Andrew J. Bernstein, MD, an assistant lecturer at Northwestern University and a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics, said, "dark circles and enlarged eye bags in children are usually not a condition to worry about." Then, Dr. Cindy Gellner, MD, a pediatrician at Metro Health Medical Center Children's Hospital adds, "the cause of panda eyes in children, usually is not due to lack of sleep."

Then, what is the cause? There are many things that can actually cause a child's eye bags to blacken and enlarge, including:

1. Allergies, colds, or flu

The cause of panda eyes in children is most likely caused by nasal congestion. This condition usually occurs when a child is exposed to allergies, flu or colds. When the nose is blocked, the blood vessels around the eyes become bigger and darker.

It can also occur when the adenoid glands that are behind the nostrils swell, making it difficult for your little one to breathe so they breathe through their mouth more often.

2. Skin problems

Apart from nasal congestion, skin problems can also be the cause of panda eyes in children, for example eczema. This skin disorder is common in children and causes itchy skin.

Especially if he uses skin care products around the face that trigger eczema symptoms, the skin near the eyes can feel itchy. If your little one continues to rub the area, swelling and darker skin color can occur.

3. Heredity and skin color

Apart from health problems, the cause of panda eyes in children that may occur is genetic. Your little one may get black and enlarged eye bags from his father or mother.

This condition can also occur because your little one has white skin. The skin under the eyes tends to be thinner and transparent than the rest of the facial skin. Veins under the skin around the eyes will usually look like dark circles, if the child has white skin.

4. Other causes

Many think that the cause of panda eyes in children is due to iron deficiency. However, health experts agree that this is not true. Children who have this condition usually have the habit of rubbing their eyes excessively due to fatigue.

It can also occur due to fluid retention in the child's body. Fluid retention (edema) is swelling around the body as a result of leaking fluid from blood vessels to body tissues or eating too much salty food.

Should I go to the doctor?

If you don't know for sure what causes panda eyes in children, don't hesitate to go to the doctor. This is much safer than you take it for granted. The doctor will also help you to deal with panda eyes in children as well as overcome the underlying medical problems.

x