Yellow circles under the eyes: causes and treatment in men and women

Yellow spots under the eyes. Causes of yellow spots under the eyes

The appearance of flat yellow spots on the eyelids is called xanthelasma.
The macula forms under the skin as a result of the deposition of fats, triglycerides, lipids and cholesterol obtained from food. Because xanthelasmas are fatty growths, they have few nerve endings and are therefore painless. It is believed that there is a connection in the pathology of lipid and cholesterol metabolism and the appearance of xanthelasma. These deposits appear in those people whose body is not able to effectively break down fats into useful energy. In some cases, they are a marker of heart disease. Sometimes the appearance of xanthelasma is hereditary; in this case, lipid metabolism disorders and high cholesterol are not found.

Liver diseases (viral hepatitis, fatty liver, etc.) lead to the fact that blood bilirubin begins to be deposited under the skin. The skin around the eyes is very thin, so yellow spots around the eyes are often the first sign of incipient jaundice.

Gallbladder diseases.

Gallstone disease can cause increased levels of bilirubin, and therefore the appearance of yellow spots under the eyes and general yellowness of the skin. Accompanied by general symptoms: nausea, increased body temperature, changes in stool character.

A condition caused by eating too much orange vegetables (carrots, pumpkin, zucchini). These vegetables contain carotene and when there is an excess of it, it begins to be deposited under the skin. The skin of the eyelids is very thin, so yellow spots first appear on the upper or lower eyelids. They also quickly disappear when the “culprit” cause is excluded from the diet.

A decrease in blood hemoglobin levels causes yellow or dark spots to appear under the eyes. Associated symptoms: general weakness, fatigue, weight loss.

Sleepless night, severe stress.

In the case where the cause of the appearance of yellow spots around the eyes is common to the entire body, then treatment is primarily aimed at eliminating this disease.

Treatment for xanthelasmas involves removing them. Laser removal operations are mainly used. It is also possible to use liquid nitrogen (cryotherapy) or electrocoagulation. In rare cases, when the appearance of fatty formations is associated with high cholesterol levels, xanthelasmas have been cured by simply limiting calories and fat in food.

A change in the natural color of the skin around the eyes does not cause any physical discomfort, but is considered a drawback from an aesthetic point of view, as it gives the owner a tired and unhealthy appearance.

When unsightly circles appear in the periorbital zone, first of all, attempts are made to remove them using various home and commercial preparations or masking them with decorative cosmetics.

Symptoms

To find out the origin of skin changes, you will have to consult a doctor. It is the specialist who has sufficient experience and knowledge to carry out a comprehensive diagnosis and make an appropriate conclusion. Questioning and examination are the main methods used by the doctor at the initial stage. If we are talking about systemic pathology, then it is often necessary to examine not only the skin of the face and eyelids, but also other areas of the body.

Digestive system diseases

The first thing you should think about in this situation is true jaundice. It occurs in diseases of the liver and biliary tract. In persons with pathology of the digestive tract, jaundice is parenchymal or mechanical in nature. The first is associated with liver diseases (hepatitis, cirrhosis, Gilbert's syndrome, etc.), and the second is due to obstruction of the bile ducts (cholecystitis, cholelithiasis, pancreatic tumors).

Yellow circles under the eyes, combined with discoloration of the sclera and other parts of the body, may be accompanied by symptoms that suggest digestive diseases. These include:

Decreased appetite.
Nausea and vomiting.
Heaviness and pain in the right hypochondrium.
Feeling of bitterness in the mouth.

In some conditions, jaundice is completely asymptomatic - for example, in patients with Gilbert's syndrome. But most often it manifests against the background of an already developed clinical picture.

Carotene jaundice

Local yellowness on the face sometimes occurs due to excessive consumption of carotene - provitamin A. Foods such as carrots, pumpkin, and tangerines are rich in it. An overdose of this substance leads to the development of carotene jaundice, which is manifested by uneven coloring of the skin - changes are mainly visible on the palms and soles, face (including around the eyes), and ears.

Usually this condition occurs without any disturbance in well-being. But in some cases, additional symptoms are likely. With a severe overdose of carotene, you can expect:

Enlarged liver.
Hemorrhages on the skin.
Nausea and vomiting.
Cramps.
Loss of consciousness.
To whom.

As we see, the situation in some cases takes a very serious turn, when medical assistance cannot be avoided.

Jaundice occurs not only due to changes in the body - eating large amounts of foods containing carotene is also accompanied by similar symptoms.

Lipid disorders

Yellow spots under the eyes of women may appear due to cholesterol metabolism disorders. In this case, there is a risk of xanthelasma formation on the skin of the eyelids. This is the name given to flat yellow plaques that look like spots or stripes. Such formations around the eyes are often combined with an accumulation of cholesterol in the area of the elbows, knees or on the mucous membranes (xanthoma). Sometimes this condition becomes widespread.

It should be noted that lipid metabolism disorders are a proven risk factor for the development of atherosclerosis and associated cardiac pathologies (angina pectoris, heart attack), ischemic strokes, and angiopathy of the lower extremities. An imbalance in fat metabolism accompanies diabetes, hypothyroidism and other diseases. Therefore, this issue requires close attention, especially among people over 40 years of age.

Consequences of injuries

Among the local pathological conditions associated with the appearance of a yellowish color around the eyes, one cannot fail to mention bruises or hematomas. This is a common consequence of facial injuries (bruises). The fact of mechanical damage is difficult not to notice, because it is accompanied by pain. And in addition to them, the following appear on the skin:

Swelling.
Redness.
Abrasions and bruises.

The bruise at first has a bright burgundy color, then it gradually fades and becomes greenish, and finally turns yellow. This is a natural process associated with the conversion of hemoglobin trapped under the skin into bilirubin and biliverdin.

How to get rid of a yellow spot on the eye. Symptoms and causes

Xanthelasma at the initial stage can go unnoticed for a long time. People perceive small yellow spots on the eyelids as natural age-related skin pigmentation. Usually women disguise them with powder and eye shadow. If the plaques are large, many people mistake them for wen and try to remove them using various folk remedies.

It is important not to confuse xanthelasma with wen or warts, since the treatment methods for the two pathologies are completely different

Xanthelasma can be recognized by the following characteristic signs:

formations from light yellow to light orange on the outer surface of the upper or lower eyelid;
the size of the spots varies from 0.5 to 1.5 cm;
may be single, or may merge and move to the bridge of the nose;
the plaques do not itch, do not hurt, and do not cause any discomfort other than moral discomfort.

Xanthoma is not a pathology in itself; as a rule, it is a sign of a disorder of lipid metabolism in the body. Most often it occurs in people suffering from the following diseases:

obesity;
diabetes;
hypertonic disease;
atherosclerosis;
pancreatitis;
cirrhosis of the liver;
lipoid nephrosis;
myxedema.

Why it begins to develop has not been precisely established by medicine. It is generally accepted that the likelihood of xanthoma formation is directly related to a hereditary factor. The fact is that metabolic disorders in the body are inherited. If a child has a disordered fat metabolism, this is usually detected in the first year of life.

The photo shows what xanthelasma of the upper eyelid looks like

Quite often, the cause of formation is the deposition of fat in a specific area, even if the general fat metabolism is not disturbed. However, it is noted that women over 50 years of age who are overweight and have high blood cholesterol levels are at risk.

Note: Xanthelasma is a painless, benign formation, it does not have the ability to become malignant, and does not pose any threat to health, much less human life. This is just a fairly noticeable cosmetic defect.

Why are there yellow circles around my eyes?

The appearance of a person's skin often reveals the state of their health. Puffiness under the eyes, swelling, age spots, various types of rashes - all this indicates that some changes are occurring in the body that affect the overall health. The appearance of yellow circles under the eyes most often negatively affects the self-esteem of the fair half of humanity. In this case, you should not hide the problem under a layer of foundation, but rather try to find out the real causes of yellow circles under the eyes in women. After all, their appearance indicates a failure in the coordinated functioning of the body.

What do yellow circles under the eyes mean?

The skin around the eyes is thin and sensitive, so it is more responsive to changes occurring in the body. The reason for this is the peculiarities of its structure: collagen fibers in this area are located uniformly, there is a complete absence of a granular layer. In addition, the periorbital area has the weakest production of sebaceous glands, which often leads to dry skin and premature aging.

The area around the eyes is often in motion due to facial activity and is most prone to swelling and the appearance of various spots. It's not surprising that yellow circles appear under the eyes. Sometimes their appearance is harmless and does not pose any particular danger, since it goes away on its own within a short time. But if the phenomenon of yellow circles under the eyes is protracted, you should worry about your health and consult a specialist.

Causes of yellowness under the eyes

It is quite difficult to identify the main reason why the skin around the eyes is yellow, since there are many of them. The eyes can reveal a lot: diseases, irregular work schedules, constant stress. Unfortunately, these are all phenomena of the modern world. You should consider in more detail the reasons for the appearance of yellowness around the eyes.

Why do women have yellow circles under their eyes?

Most often, yellow circles appear in women and children. The problem is related to the influence of external factors. In other cases, it is necessary to determine what diseases provoke the appearance of yellow circles under the eyes.

Causes

Yellowness near the eyes may appear in a person whose body is polluted. It is recommended to review your diet and include healthy foods in your diet.

Yellowness under the eyes is due to the fact that sensitive skin has small blood vessels. If these vessels are clogged, they become visible through the skin, resulting in an unnatural color.

To prevent yellow circles from appearing under the eyes, you need to monitor your diet, treat diseases in a timely manner, and protect your skin from factors that can be harmful.

There are a number of reasons that can lead to the appearance of yellow circles under the eyes:

Diseases of the liver and biliary tract.
Chronic fatigue, lack of sleep, insomnia.
Bad habits, frequent consumption of alcoholic beverages, smoking.
Stress.
A person spends a long period of time in a confined space without sufficient access to oxygen.
A person spends a long period of time in direct sunlight.
Excess keratin. In this situation, they are not talking about a disease, but about a symptom that will go away on its own.
Genetic predisposition.

Consumption of foods containing yellow pigments

Eating carrots, oranges, tangerines can stain the skin around the eyes

The next possible cause of yellow circles under the eyes is excessive consumption of foods rich in yellow pigment (carrots, oranges, tangerines, etc.). In this case, any areas of the skin may turn yellow. The sclera remains of normal color, and general health does not suffer.

Other common causes

When to see a doctor

If yellow circles under the eyes appear for a long time, you should not ignore the problem or try to disguise it under a thick layer of decorative cosmetics. This can only make the situation worse. At the first stage, a therapist or general practitioner will help you deal with the problem. Usually he finds out the causes of yellow circles under the eyes. If lifestyle changes do not lead to an improvement in the condition of the skin around the eyes, then a consultation with a gastroenterologist, endocrinologist or allergist is prescribed. They prescribe more targeted examinations to determine the specific cause of yellow circles under the eyes.

Treatment

If yellow spots appear in the eyelid area and under the eyes, then treatment tactics will be determined by their origin. Systemic pathology certainly requires adequate correction, which may consist of taking medications:

Lipid-lowering (atorvastatin, rosuvastatin).
Hepatoprotectors (Essentiale, Antral, Heptral).
Choleretic (Holosas, Chofitol).

Of course, treatment tactics are determined on an individual basis, so only a doctor can talk about a specific list of drugs. General measures will also help remove yellow circles under the eyes:

Balanced diet.
Complete rest and sleep.
Rejection of bad habits.
Staying outdoors.
Physical activity.

This will help improve your overall health and complexion. If we approach the problem from a cosmetic point of view (subject to the exclusion of other causes), then the correction complex may include:

Sunscreens.
Whitening masks (with potatoes, cucumber).
Compresses made from parsley juice and tea leaves.
Contrasting washes (hot and cold water).
Decorative cosmetics.

The problem of yellow circles under the eyes worries many women. The cause of this condition can be both completely harmless changes of a cosmetic nature, and systemic pathology that requires increased attention. Measures to correct the defect, which are prescribed by a specialist after appropriate diagnosis, also depend on this.

Diagnostic methods

First of all, it is necessary to conduct an independent examination of the skin around the eyes in front of a mirror in daylight. If a woman feels pain in the eyeballs or notices yellowing of the whites of the eyes, it is necessary to consult a doctor for further diagnosis.

Among the main diagnostic methods it should be noted:

Initial examination of the patient. Usually the doctor asks about the duration of the problem, what diseases were suffered in childhood. An external examination is also carried out for the presence of yellow spots throughout the body.
Laboratory research. Taking a general blood and urine test, studying thyroid hormones, testing stool for parasites - all this is necessary to detect pathologies, inflammatory processes or infections.
Instrumental research. To form a more accurate picture, an ultrasound of the liver, pancreas and gall bladder, and an electrocardiogram are usually prescribed.

If after the studies no pathologies were found, the most likely cause of the appearance of yellow circles around the eyes in both women and men is a cosmetic defect. A dermatologist can prescribe treatment for the problem.

Additional diagnostics

To determine the cause of yellowness under the eyes, additional diagnostics are often required. You definitely cannot do without it in case of systemic pathology, when the doctor needs to determine changes in metabolism and the structural and functional state of internal organs. For this purpose the following are assigned:

General blood and urine tests.
Biochemical analysis (bilirubin, AlT, AST, alkaline phosphatase, lipid spectrum, glucose, coagulogram).
Ultrasound of the liver and biliary tract.
Dopplerography of the carotid arteries, etc.

A patient who comes with a cosmetic problem will sometimes have to see related specialists, for example, a gastroenterologist, and in case of facial bruises, one cannot do without an examination by a traumatologist.

Only a complete diagnosis will show why changes in skin color appeared in the periorbital area. And this cannot be done without medical intervention.

Preventing yellowness around the eyes

Of course, you should fight the reasons for the appearance of yellow bruises under the eyes. To do this, you need to improve many aspects of your life:

to refuse from bad habits;
spend more time outdoors;
eat more vegetables and fruits;
sleep on average 7-8 hours;
be physically active;
In sunny weather, use sunscreen and glasses.

To improve the functioning of internal organs, especially the gastrointestinal tract and liver, it is recommended to eat as little fried and spicy foods as possible.

General recommendations

The common cause of yellow eyelids is an unhealthy lifestyle. Smoking, stress, lack of sleep, a decrease in the body’s overall resistance to the harmful effects of the environment - all this contributes to the appearance of various imperfections on the face. But it turns out to be easy to fix them. It is necessary to give up bad habits, walk in the fresh air more often to ensure oxygen exchange in the tissues, avoid alcohol and, if possible, get enough sleep, going to bed before midnight.

There are also a number of cosmetics that help lighten the skin around the eyes and rejuvenate it. Various serums with a whitening effect can be found at the pharmacy. But you can make miraculous ice from green tea yourself and wipe your face with it at night, not forgetting the area around the eyes.

It is also recommended to wash your eyes with a decoction of chamomile or sage after removing makeup. Do not neglect masks made from natural ingredients. A mask of fresh cottage cheese with parsley juice, grated raw potatoes or a mixture of fresh cucumber with rich sour cream - each option will improve the health of your eyelids. You just need to apply the mask for 15 minutes every day for a week. This way the area around the eyes will receive the necessary substances, the skin will smooth out, and the face will shine with beauty and freshness.