What Are Allergic Shiners?

Allergic shiners are dark circles under the eyes that are related to nasal and sinus congestion. While they often occur with seasonal allergies, allergic shiners can affect anyone who experiences this type of congestion for any reason.

This article explores why you might have dark circles under your eyes during allergy season or with congestion, as well as how you can treat allergic shiners.

What Are the Symptoms of Allergic Shiners?

Symptoms will likely include those related to the eyes and those related to allergies. The symptoms of allergic shiners include dark, discolored circles (blue-ish or purple) under your eyes that look like a bruise. 

When the dark circles are caused by allergies, other symptoms may include:

• Runny nose
• Watery, red, itchy eyes (allergic conjunctivitis)
• Itchy nose
• Sneezing
• Nasal congestion
• Wheezing
• Shortness of breath
• Cough
• Rashes
• Fatigue
• Headache

What Are the Causes of Allergic Shiners?

When the nasal passages are congested, it increases pressure in the nose. The pressure makes it harder for the blood in the face to drain back to the heart.

Blood pools in the veins and capillaries under the eyes, making the skin in that area look dark. The pooled blood shows up more than it would in other parts of the body because the skin under the eyes is very thin.

In addition to the blood pooling, fluid from inside the veins can also slowly seep into the tissue under the eyes, making them look puffy.

Anything that triggers nasal/sinus congestion can give you dark circles under your eyes, including:

• Outdoor allergens (e.g., pollen that triggers hay fever or seasonal allergies)
• Indoor allergens (e.g., mold, dust mites, and pet dander)
• Food allergies (e.g. dairy, egg, and wheat)
• Irritation or allergy (e.g., to cigarette smoke, scents, and chemicals)
• Upper respiratory infections (e.g., colds, influenza, and sinusitis)

Other conditions can also cause dark circles under the eye, such as:

• Genetics (family history)
• Asthma
• Thinning skin under the eyes
• Atopic dermatitis (dry, itchy, inflamed skin)

How Are Allergic Shiners Different From Black Eyes?

A black eye is a bruise that is caused by trauma. When an injury happens, blood from damaged blood vessels seeps into the tissues. Like other bruises, a black eye changes color over several days as it heals, often going from red to black to blue to green to yellow.

Allergic shiners are not like a bruise. The appearance of dark circles from allergies should go away once the nasal congestion is better and the blood flow is back to normal.

Another difference is that dark circles from allergies usually appear under both eyes rather than just one eye, as is often the case with a black eye.

When to See a Healthcare Provider

Allergic shiners are usually not a major health concern, but there are some reasons you would want to talk to your healthcare provider:

• Your allergy symptoms are keeping you from doing your daily activities.
• You have signs of infection such as high fever, green nasal discharge, or sinus pain.
• Only one eye is affected and is getting worse.

How Allergic Shiners Are Treated

One way to reduce allergic shiners is to figure out what your triggers are and avoid them.

You can also try over-the-counter (OTC) allergy medications that reduce nasal congestion or use an allergy medication that's prescribed by your healthcare provider, such as:

• Antihistamines
• Decongestants
• Nasal steroid sprays
• Anti-inflammatory eye drops

Some self-care methods for allergy symptom relief you can try may include:

• Placing a cold compress under your eyes
• Propping up your head with extra pillows at night to help the fluid drain better
• Blowing your nose whenever needed
• Using allergy-proof blankets, sheets, and pillowcases
• Keeping windows closed and using air conditioning if possible in your home and car
• Using a dehumidifier
• Using a HEPA air filter

If you're bothered by how allergic shiners looks, you can use concealer to hide the dark circles until they are reduced.

Summary

Dark circles under your eyes from allergies are common, especially if you have nasal congestion as a symptom. You can’t always prevent allergic shiners, but trying to avoid your allergy triggers and using medication and home remedies to treat your symptoms can help. 

Dark circles can also be caused by other conditions. You should see your provider if you have dark circles and other symptoms like a fever or green discharge from your nose, which can be signs of an infection.