How to Remove Dark Circle Around the Eyes Caused by Allergies

Dark circles around the eyes that look fairly close to black eyes are also known as "allergic shiners." These puffy, dark circles can be hard to remove. The best way to remove such dark circles is to treat the underlying allergy with over-the-counter oral medication, and if that doesn't work, prescription oral and nasal medication. Further, precautions around the house may reduce allergens. However, not all allergic shiners will go away, even with proper treatment. As a last resort, cucumbers will reduce puffiness and makeup can hide the dark circles.

Things You'll Need

• Oral antihistamines
• Steroidal nasal spray
• Makeup
• Eye mask

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Instructions

Lessening Allergic Shiners

• 1

  Take oral allergy medicine, called antihistamines, if you are not already. Some allergy medicines might work better for you than others. There are a number of medicines that used to require a prescription that are now available over-the-counter--try those first. Call your doctor if you feel any strange side effects or if the over-the-counter medicines are not working. Most allergy medications take several weeks before they have an effect on allergic reactions.

• 2

  Ask your doctor for a steroidal nasal spray as an added weapon against allergies. These are more effective for some people than others and a common side effect is nosebleeds. Take the nasal spray regularly, and again, it may be a few weeks before you see any effects from the spray on your dark circles.

• 3

  Identify your allergens and avoid them. Some common allergy triggers include dust mites, pollen and animal dander. Activities, such as vacuuming, often actively stirs these into your environment. Have someone else vacuum or buy a HEPA-filter vacuum and wear a face mask while cleaning.

• 4

  Use cool cucumber compresses, or an eye mask that has been left in the fridge, in the morning to reduce puffiness. It is not a cure, but will lessen the appearance of puffy allergic shiners.

• 5

  Use makeup to cover dark circles. Again, it is not a cure, but it will lessen their appearance. If you go to a makeup counter, a specialist can help match the cover-up color to your surrounding skin.