Ah, allergies. Those seasonal BFFs that always seem to pop up at the most inopportune time, bringing the power to turn a blissful summer day into a miserable one. But it turns out they're causing more than your average case of itchy eyes and runny nose.
Allure's beauty expert spoke with cosmetic allergist Julie Kuriakose and discovered that the beauty concerns many women experience around this time of the year have more to do with allergies than bad health habits. "Airborne allergens such as pollen, dust mites, mold, and dander can trigger an allergic reaction," she says. Plus, they can "cause a pooling of blood under the skin of the eyes, which manifests as dark circles." If you have some red bumps and blotchy skin, it may be a sun rash — an allergic reaction, which is easily treatable with the right antihistamine and cold compresses. Even dark circles can be treated with an extra pillow under your head at night and decreased sun exposure, which Kuriakose says can actually accentuate dark circles.
Image: Via Allure.