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Understanding Puffy Eyes: Its Causes and Home Remedies
Puffy eyes are a common symptom often caused by allergies, infections, inflammation, or physical irritation. They result from excess fluid (edema) in the soft tissues surrounding the eyes. The medical term for swollen eyes is chemosis.
Puffy eyes can occur due to conditions affecting the eye area itself or in connection with more generalized issues like a common cold or hay fever. Inflammation of the eye's surface (conjunctivitis) and the eyelids (blepharitis) are frequent culprits.
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Get A Second OpinionWhat Causes Puffy Eyes?
Ordinary swelling around the eyes occurs due to the excessive buildup of fluids, known as oedema, in the surrounding skin tissue. The skin around the eyes is fragile, which can lead to noticeable swelling and discoloration.
Puffy eyes usually result from a variety of factors, including
- Overconsumption of salt, which causes water retention
- Allergies that can cause inflammation and swelling
- Sinus problems
- Dehydration
- Fatigue and lack of sleep
- Stress
- Tears
- Ageing
- Inherited facial features
Other common causes include;
- Crying
- Lack of sleep
- Excessive rubbing of the eyes
- Depending on the cause, one or both eyes may swell
- Redness
- Pain
- Itching
- Excessive tear production
- Other types of eye discharge may accompany the puffiness
As people age, changes in the fat pads can also influence swelling around the eyes. The fatty tissue that generally supports the eyes within the bony socket can begin to protrude and fill the spaces under the eyes. This occurs as the thinning of the membrane (septum) that holds the fat in the eyelids allows the fat to push forward, resulting in puffiness or bulges under the eyes.
Understanding Morning Puffy Eyes (Eye Swelling)
While we are sleeping, we do not blink, which contributes to the development of eye swelling. Blinking your eyelids is akin to walking for your legs. At rest, some people develop swelling in the lower extremities that dissipates as soon as they start walking because the muscles in the legs "milk" the trapped fluids (edema) back into circulation. A similar action takes place with the eyelids during sleep.
Non-blinking eyelids can potentially swell in individuals prone to this issue. Consequently, in the morning, you might wake up with unusually swollen eyelids. However, after you open your eyes and start blinking, some of this swelling may subside within about an hour.
Treatments for Puffy Eyes
- Cosmetic Surgery: If lifestyle changes and other remedies are ineffective, consider blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery). This procedure addresses excess fat, muscle, and skin around the eyelids.
- Laser Treatments and Chemical Peels: Your doctor may recommend these options for severe cases of puffy eyes.
- Prescription Medications: Your doctor may prescribe medications to manage persistent swelling and inflammation.
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Book an AppointmentHome Remedies For Puffy Eyes
There are many ways to reduce puffiness around the eyes. Some remedies are simple, like drinking more water, and others are more involved, such as cosmetic surgery. Here are some tips and tricks for getting rid of puffy eyes.
Getting Enough Sleep
Getting a good night's sleep regularly will help reduce puffy eyes. Adults need about 7-9 hours of sleep per night. To make sure you get enough sleep, create a bedtime routine and stick to it.
It is important to remember that your bedtime routine begins long before you go to bed to fall asleep. To get a good night's sleep, you should:
- Stick to a sleep schedule.
- Stop drinking caffeine at least 6 hours before bedtime.
- Stop drinking alcohol before bed.
- Finish eating dinner about 3 hours before bedtime.
- Finish your exercises several hours before bedtime.
- Turn off electronics 1 to 2 hours before bedtime.
Support Yourself
- Sleep with a few pillows under your head to prevent fluid from settling around your eyes. If you can't sleep sideways on a wedge pillow or a stack of pillows, try lifting the head of your bed slightly to achieve the same effect.
- To do this, place a stack of books or another corner under the legs of your bed on the side where you rest your head. If you notice a difference in the frequency or severity of your swollen eyes, consider a more stable solution, such as a bed booster.
Treat Your Allergies
- Talk to your doctor if you have seasonal or year-round allergies. Allergies can make your eyes redden, swell, and swell. This may cause you to rub your eyes more, which will lead to more puffiness.
- Your doctor can help you create a treatment plan to relieve your symptoms. This can include eye drops and over-the-counter or prescription medications.
Drink Enough Water
- Eye bags can result from dehydration. Drink plenty of water every day to keep your skin healthy. The general rule of thumb is to drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day.
- To stay on track, consider setting an hourly reminder on your phone. You can also use a refillable water bottle marked with specific times to help you drink enough water throughout the day.
Avoid Alcohol
- Try to limit or avoid alcohol and other drinks that can dehydrate you. Dehydration can lead to puffy eyes, so it's best to have a glass of water instead.
- If you've had enough of plain water, infusing it with fresh fruit is a great way to stay hydrated and refreshed. Try adding any fruit of your choice to a water bottle for infused water that lasts all day.
Pass on the salt
- Eating too much salt can lead to additional water retention in your body. It can also lead to other health problems, such as an increased risk of heart problems and stroke.
- According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the current daily value of sodium is 2300 milligrams (mg). However, the American Heart Association recommends limiting sodium to 1,500 mg per day.
- Over 70% of the sodium in American diets comes from processed or restaurant foods. To reduce your salt intake, avoid cold meats, cheese, bread, and other processed foods.
- Prepackaged foods like instant soups are often high in sodium. Reading labels can help you identify excessive amounts of salt.
- Instead, eat more whole foods like fresh vegetables and fruits.
Eat More Potassium
- Potassium can help reduce excess fluid in your body, so increase your potassium intake. You can do this by adding bananas, beans, yogurt, and leafy greens to your diet.
- If you are already on a high-potassium diet, ask your doctor if your potassium levels are okay as is or if it is safe to add potassium supplements to your daily routine.
Use a Cool Compress
- You can reduce eye swelling by putting a cool washcloth on your eyelids for about 10 minutes. This can help drain excess fluid from under your eyes.
- A compress of green or black tea bags can also help. Tea contains antioxidants and caffeine, which can reduce inflammation and constrict blood vessels.
Try an Eye Cream
- There are many eye creams on the market that can relieve puffiness. Some ingredients to look for in an eye cream include chamomile, cucumber, and arnica. All of these contain properties that can reduce inflammation and tighten the skin.
- Eye creams and makeup that contain caffeine can also help reduce puffy eyes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not getting enough sleep can make fluid build up around your eyes, causing them to swell.
Yes, allergies can make your eyes swell because your body reacts to allergens like pollen or pet dander.
Yes, tears can make the skin around your eyes swell temporarily.
Eating salty foods can make your body retain water, which can lead to puffiness around the eyes.
You can reduce puffiness by placing cool cucumber slices or cold tea bags on your eyes for a few minutes.
Yes, staying hydrated can help reduce puffiness because it helps your body balance fluids.
Eye creams with ingredients like caffeine or cucumber extract can help reduce puffiness.
Puffy eyes usually go away on their own within a few hours to a day, depending on the cause.
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