Under-Eye Swelling: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

Under-eye swelling typically goes away without treatment. You should consult your doctor if the swelling or other symptoms don’t go away on their own, in order to treat the issue and prevent eye damage.

Under-eye swelling or puffiness is a common cosmetic concern. You usually don’t need treatment. However, in some cases, swelling beneath your eyes may also be a sign of a minor or more serious health condition.

Those “bags” under your eyes might just run in your family. Aging and genetics can cause tissues around the eyes to weaken. This leads to fat moving into the lower eyelids, making them look swollen. The skin around your eyes is very thin and delicate.

If you do have a health issue, treating the underlying problem can help smooth your eye area. Here are 10 causes of under-eye swelling and what you can do to prevent and treat them.

Too much salt or sodium in your diet is not good for your body or your appearance. Extra sodium can make your body retain water. The excess water causes puffiness in the face and body. This is especially common the morning after a salty meal.

The thin skin around your eyes is at higher risk of getting puffy. This leads to under-eye swelling or the appearance of under-eye “bags.” Your body will naturally get rid of the bloating and de-puff your eye area. This may take a few hours or longer.

Cut salt in your daily diet to help soothe under-eye swelling. Limit or avoid processed and packaged foods that have added salts. Drink plenty of water to help flush out the sodium.

Eating foods high in potassium also helps counter the salt. These include:

• bananas
• yogurt
• potatoes
• dried apricots

The American Heart Association recommends eating no more than 1,500 milligrams of salt a day. Most Americans eat more than double that amount of sodium every day.

Crying causes fluid to collect around your eyes, causing puffiness for a short time. Under-eye swelling that happens once in a while will likely go away on its own.

A research study found that not getting enough sleep can give you under-eye swelling. It can also cause droopy eyelids, red eyes, and dark circles under the eyes. Other signs are pale skin and a droopy mouth.

A lack of sleep can weaken the muscles around your eyes. It can also lead to a loss of collagen — the elastic tissue — under the eyes. This causes fluid to collect in the area, making the area beneath your eyes to swell up.

Under-eye swelling because of little sleep may last a few hours to 24 hours. Some signs can become permanent if you regularly have poor sleep. Most adults need seven to nine hours of sleep every night.

Allergies can cause fluid to build up in your sinuses and around your eyes. This can lead to under-eye swelling. An allergic reaction can also make your eyes red, itchy, and watery. Common eye allergies include:

• pollen
• dust
• mold
• smoke
• pollution
• dander
• animal fur
• chemicals
• perfume

Allergies are a common cause of puffy eyes. This happens because protective cells in your eyes, called mast cells, give off immune proteins called histamine to fight allergens. This makes your eyes sensitive and watery. Your eyes will also tear up to wash out the pollen or other allergen.

Eye allergies are also easy to treat. Avoid allergens as much as possible to help prevent symptoms. Washing out your nose and using artificial tear eye drops to rinse your eyes also helps. Over-the-counter medications can help ease under-eye swelling. Try:

• antihistamines (Claritin, Benadryl)
• decongestants (Sudafed, Afrin)
• eye drops (Visine, Alaway)

Your doctor may also prescribe a steroid or an allergy shot to make you less sensitive to the allergen.

Smoking cigarettes, shisha, or cigars can irritate your eyes. You may also have an allergic reaction if you’re around secondhand and even thirdhand smoke. This can make your eyes water triggering under-eye swelling.

Quit smoking of any kind and avoid secondhand smoke to help prevent eye puffiness and other symptoms. Clean surfaces and items in your home and car if you’re sensitive to leftover smoke particles. Wash your hair and clothing after being around people who smoke.

An eye infection can cause under-eye swelling in one or both eyes. You can have an infection in the eye or eyelid. The infection and swelling will usually happen in one eye first, but can quickly spread to the other eye.

Avoid touching or rubbing your eye. An eye infection usually goes away within a week. You may need antibiotic treatment.

Types of eye infections that can cause under-eye swelling include:

• Pink eye. Also known as conjunctivitis, this infection may be caused by bacteria, a virus, chemicals, and other irritants. Pink eye can happen at any age.
• Stye. A stye is an infection in an eyelash follicle or a tear gland. It usually begins as a tiny small bump along your lash line. A stye can lead to redness, swelling, and pus in the eye or eyelid.
• Chalazion. A chalazion is similar to a stye. It’s caused by a blocked oil gland in your eyelid. A chalazion usually looks like a small bump on the eyelid. It can lead to swelling if it gets infected.
• Periorbital cellulitis. This infection or inflammation around your eye usually spreads from the sinuses. It can also happen from a scratch or injury to the eyelid, and often requires medical attention.

You can relieve swelling and tenderness around your eye with a damp, clean towel. If you think you have an infection, see your doctor immediately. You may need antibiotics or other treatments to soothe the pressure.

Your tear ducts drain away tears and natural water in the eye. If they’re blocked, the fluid may collect around the eye. This can lead to under-eye swelling.

A blocked tear duct is common in babies, but it can happen in children and adults too. A blockage can happen due to an infection, makeup particles, or an injury to the eye. In most cases, it clears up on its own after a few days.

Normally, a warm compress and washing out the eye with sterile saline helps clear the blockage. In more serious cases, you may need treatment. In adults a blocked tear duct can sometimes happen because of a tumor.

Signs and symptoms of a blocked tear duct include:

• excess tearing or watery eyes
• blurred vision
• redness
• eye infection or inflammation
• pain
• swelling
• crusting
• pus or mucus

A small scratch or nick around the eye can happen from a fingernail or a makeup brush. An injury can lead to under-eye swelling as your body heals the thin, soft skin in the eye area.

Getting hit on or around the eye can also cause puffiness. A blow from a punch or a dull object causes the eye to move down slightly and then back in place. This brings blood rushing into the area. The blood and fluid triggers swelling or bruising beneath the eye.

Graves’ disease is also called thyroid eye disease. It happens when your thyroid gland does not balance thyroid hormones. Graves’ disease can also sometimes happen if you take too much thyroid medication. You will need treatment immediately. Your doctor may recommend medications or other treatment.

About 30 percent of people with this condition will have eye symptoms. These include bulging eyes and under-eye swelling. This happens because Graves’ disease causes changes in the tissue around the eyes. Other eye signs and symptoms include:

• gritty sensation
• pain or pressure
• redness
• light sensitivity
• double vision
• blurred vision or vision loss

Eye and vision changes, including under-eye swelling, may be a sign of mononucleosis. This infection is sometimes called the “kissing disease,” but you can also catch it from sneezes and coughs. Eye symptoms include:

• redness
• pain
• swelling
• seeing “floaters”

Mononucleosis is caused by a virus. Antibiotics won’t help to treat it. Signs and symptoms of this condition include:

• sore throat
• fatigue
• fever
• headache
• swollen tonsils
• swelling in neck and armpits
• skin rash

In most cases under-eye swelling goes away on its own. Whether or not you need treatment depends on the cause. Your doctor may prescribe treatment such as:

• anti-allergy medication
• antibiotic or antiviral medication
• antibacterial ointment
• antibacterial eye drops
• steroid eye drops

You can soothe your under-eye area in most cases. Try one of these home remedies to help your eyes bounce back after a late night, salty meal, or a bout of crying:

• Cold compress. Apply a clean, wet washcloth to your eye area. Or chill a spoon in the fridge and use the back of the spoon to gently massage the area. You can also keep your eye cream or serum in the fridge and apply as a cooling gel.
• Tea bags. Tea contains caffeine, which may help draw water out of your under-eye area and bring down swelling. Try soaking two tea bags in cold water. Place them over your closed eyes and lay back for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Facial massage. Use your fingers or a cold metal facial roller to massage your face. Gently massage or tap around your eyes and sinuses to help drain away extra fluid.

See your doctor if you have swelling around your eyes that doesn’t go away after 24 to 48 hours.

A mild eye infection can go away on its own. It’s important to have it checked in case it’s more serious. An infection can cause complications in your eye if left untreated.

Get immediate medical attention if you have symptoms of an eye infection or other health condition. These include:

• redness
• pain
• white fluid or pus
• swelling in only one eye
• pressure
• blurry vision
• loss of vision
• eye bulging
• fever
• watery eyes
• weight loss

Under-eye swelling is normal. It typically goes away without treatment. See your doctor if you have under-eye swelling that does not go away, or other symptoms. Early treatment is important to prevent damage to your eyes.

Triggers, Treatments & Foods To Eat/Avoid – SkinKraft

Reviewed by Expert Abhisikta Hati (PG, Chemical Technology)

Updated on December 21, 2021
| Written By Chayanika sen

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This blog post is based on scientific evidence, written and fact checked by our doctors.

Our team of dermatologists and formulators strive to be objective, unbiased and honest.

This article contains scientific references. The numbers in the parentheses are clickable links to research
papers from reputed academic organizations.

Do you ever wake up to find your eyes looking swollen and puffy? Are the bags under your eyes making you look old and tired?

Firstly, be calm. There are several ways to help minimize the appearance of puffiness under your eyes. While puffy eyes are more of a cosmetic concern and generally harmless, sometimes they could be a sign of an underlying medical condition.

If you want to learn more about puffy eyes, what causes them and how to tackle it, read on to find out more.

Highlights:

• What Are Puffy Eyes?
• What Causes Puffy Eyes?
• How To Get Rid Of Puffy Eyes?
• Prevention Tips For Puffy Eyes
• When To See Your Doctor?

What Are Puffy Eyes?

The skin that surrounds your eyes is more delicate and thinner than that of the rest of your face. When fluid accumulates in the thin layers of tissue surrounding your eyes, your eyes and eyelids can swell and appear puffy.

If you notice that your eyes appear puffier in the mornings, it could be a result of fluid retention. However, there are a variety of factors that can contribute to your eyes appearing swollen and puffy.

Additionally, shadows and discoloration of the skin can make eye bags look even more conspicuous.

What Causes Puffy Eyes?

As you age, the tissue surrounding your eyes and the muscles that support your eyelids weaken. As a result, the skin starts to sag and normal fat and collagen move into the area below your eyes, causing them to appear puffy.

Besides aging being the number one cause, several defining factors attribute to puffy eyes. These include:

• Inadequate sleep
• Excessive smoking
• A high sodium diet (leads to fluid retention)
• Genetics

Here are some other common causes of puffy eyes:

1.

Allergies

Swelling or puffiness of the eyes are a common symptom of allergies. You may experience puffiness in the eyes if you have an allergic reaction to any food, chemical substances, or any other allergens. Hay fever can also result in eye puffiness.

2. Pink Eye

Medically known as conjunctivitis, pink eye can cause puffy eyes too. This is an infection caused by viruses and bacteria and is usually quite painful.

3. Chalazion

A chalazion is a harmless bump in the eyelid caused due to a blocked oil gland.

4. Stye

Styes are tender red bumps that appear at the edge of the eyelids. It is an infection that occurs when the eyelash follicle or tear gland gets blocked.

5. Trauma

Swelling may occur when the eyes receive blunt force or injuries — the eye compresses and retracts, resulting in the accumulation of blood in the affected area.

6. Graves’ Disease

Inflammation of the eye can also occur due to Graves’ disease, which is an autoimmune condition caused by a thyroid problem.

How To Get Rid Of Puffy Eyes?

1. Medications

A. Eye Drops

Antihistamine eye drops work effectively if you are facing eye puffiness due to an allergy.

Steroid eye drops may work well in case of swelling caused by an allergic reaction.

However, steroids should only be used when prescribed by your doctor. If steroids are used to treat puffiness due to other causes, they may cause more harm than good.

B. Anti-Allergy Medications

Anti-allergy medications are helpful to treat eye puffiness caused by an allergic reaction.

For example, medications like cetirizine, diphenhydramine, fexofenadine, or loratadine are some of the most commonly used anti-allergic medications. [1]

C. Ointment

An antibacterial ointment is helpful to reduce puffiness if it is caused due to a bacterial infection.

Some people also get relief by applying hemorrhoid treatment ointments. Look for over-the-counter ointments that have phenylephrine which helps to narrow blood vessels thus reducing swelling. [2]

Word Of Caution:

Use eye ointment with extreme caution. Keep it away from coming in direct contact with the eye.

Consult with your doctor before using any kind of medicine.

2. Home Remedies

Certain home remedies and lifestyle changes can go a long way in reducing the appearance of puffiness around your eyes. Here’s what you can do:

A. Cold Compress

[3] Grab a clean washcloth and wet it with cold water. Find a comfortable spot and apply the wet washcloth to the skin under your eyes for a few minutes.

B. Rinse Your Eyes

Rinsing your eyes with cold water can be refreshing. It is a great way to instantly brighten up tired eyes while temporarily minimizing the appearance of puffiness.

C.

Use A Pillow

Use a pillow while sleeping with your head raised so that fluid does not accumulate around your eyes. [4]

D. Quit Smoking

Smoking tobacco can lead to faster collagen loss. This may lead to puffy eyes as the thin skin under the eyes becomes even thinner.

E. Eye Creams

There are various eye creams available out there that help reduce puffiness around the eyes. Look for creams that contain ingredients such as arnica, cucumber, or chamomile.

Prevention Tips For Puffy Eyes

While one of the principal causes of puffy eyes is aging, its appearance can be improved significantly by adopting a healthy lifestyle. Ensure that you follow a healthy diet, get adequate sleep, and quit smoking.

Moreover, it is important to get your eyes evaluated by your doctor to rule out more serious underlying medical conditions. Here are a few diet tips you should keep in mind:

Foods To Eat:

• If you wake up with puffy eyes frequently, eat a lot of parsley leaves. Parsley helps flush out toxins from your kidneys and keeps water retention at bay.
• Constipation could be one of the causes of puffy eyes. Include oats and fibrous vegetables in your diet as much as possible.
• Herbal tea is also good to control the puffiness around the eyes.
• Horseradish is another popular food that helps eliminate water from the body.

Foods To Avoid:

• Avoid drinking fluids before bed.
• Stay away from salty food. Restrict your salt intake, which can reduce fluid retention overnight.

When To See Your Doctor?

Puffy eyes are more of a cosmetic concern, and usually do not cause any harm or interfere with your vision.

However, if you are experiencing severe swelling, pain, irritation, or puffiness for a long time, you must consult your doctor. Also, watch out for signs such as itchiness and lingering redness.

Wrapping Up

Your eyes can appear swollen and puffy due to several factors such as weak eye muscles, water retention, allergic reactions, or other underlying health conditions.

While it is usually harmless and may go away on its own in a few days, it is strongly advisable to consult with your doctor if the condition persists or worsens.

Begin By Knowing Your Skin

References

1. https://www.healthnavigator.org.nz/health-a-z/a/allergic-conjunctivitis/

2. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/how-to-get-rid-of-bags-under-your-eyes

3. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/puffy-eyes-what-causes-them-and-what-to-do-about-it/

4. https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/bags-under-eyes

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How to protect your eyes during seasonal allergies

May 13, 2021

Spring has come – spring way! However, not all people share the joy of the long-awaited warmth, because with spring comes the time of flowering. And many will agree that bouts of seasonal allergies prevent you from fully enjoying this wonderful time of the year.

Causes of seasonal allergies

Dust particles, pet hair and even your favorite perfume can cause allergies. The peak of an allergic reaction usually occurs in spring and autumn, when pollen appears in the air. Some plants are pollinated in spring, others, such as ragweed, in autumn. However, it should be understood that allergy attacks are not always limited to a certain time of the year.

During the pollination season, tiny particles fill the air, which can irritate the eyes and respiratory tract. People with an overactive immune system often experience itchy eyes, frequent bouts of sneezing, and nasal congestion.

How the eyes react to allergens

Redness, burning sensation, swollen eyelids and watery eyes are common symptoms of seasonal allergies. Often people complain about the feeling of the presence of sand or itching in the eyes. Additional discomfort can also be caused by contact lenses. Decongestants may improve respiratory symptoms but often lead to dry eyes. Their frequent use makes us even more vulnerable to irritants that fill the surrounding air.

How to Subdue Allergies

Good hydration is one of the best options during an allergy attack, along with eye drops (especially if other allergy medications dry out the eyes). A good alternative to lenses during an exacerbation of symptoms is glasses. Contact lenses can trap allergens in the eye and make symptoms worse. And finally, do not rub your eyes, no matter how itchy.

Is there an allergy prevention?

It is impossible to completely avoid pollen in the eyes during allergy season. Even if you are very careful. But it is certainly possible to minimize exposure to the allergen. Here are some simple guidelines:

• Try to keep your windows closed.
• If using a fan, position the unit so that it does not blow pollen into the room.
• Sunglasses or regular glasses can provide some protection from pollen to the eyes.
• Try to stay at home on windy days.
• If you need to work outdoors during allergy season, wear a mask.

See an ophthalmologist!

If you have problems with your eyesight, regardless of the reasons, an ophthalmologist is always ready to help you. Enjoy spring to the fullest,
and if you feel unpleasant symptoms, contact the specialists of the German clinic.

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Allergic eyelid edema in a child

Allergy is an extreme response of the human body to a particular substance that plays the role of an irritant. Science knows up to 20,000 compounds that can cause an allergic reaction, but they are not so dangerous for most people.

Allergy does not know age, but, for example, allergic edema in a child always causes the greatest excitement of others.

In this article

• Reasons
• Allergy Eyelid Swelling: Origin
• Source of allergy: diet
• Allergy in infants
• Manifestations
• Starting treatment
• Eye drops
• Tablets
• Folk remedies
• Prophylaxis

The impact of allergies on the organs of vision becomes especially alarming. The most important question that arises is: when an allergy comes – what to do? The second question is how to remove the swelling of the eyelids?

Causes

Edema of the eyelid in a child can be of a different origin and have both an infectious and an allergic nature. If the eyelids are swollen, the specialist always establishes the cause of what happened. If the edema was the result of an allergy, then various substances can provoke it: flower pollen, saliva and animal hair, house dust, food, cosmetics, etc. There is an allergic reaction to the sun and cold. Lenses can also be a source of allergies.

Eyelid edema due to allergies: origin

The origin of allergic eyelid edema depends on the specific cause.

External origin – in contact of the mucous membrane of the eye with an irritant. As a rule, only the eye contacting with the allergen is puffy, the swelling does not spread widely. The reaction upon contact with the allergen occurs very quickly – from 5 minutes to half an hour.

Internal origin – here we are talking about a general reaction to an allergen that has entered the body directly as a result of food or airborne intoxication.

A harbinger of future swelling is often a headache, weakness and loss of strength.

Source of allergy: diet

Children are allergic to a wide variety of foods. This is due both to the individual characteristics of the growing organism, and to the properties of a number of the products themselves, which have one or another degree of allergenicity.

The most allergenic are citrus fruits, animal proteins and legumes, as well as chocolate, nuts and some cereals.

With food allergies, swelling of the eyelids is almost guaranteed. It is important to know: extremely rarely sour-milk products, cabbage, zucchini and broccoli, turkey meat provoke allergies.

Infant allergy

A breastfed baby may be allergic to certain medicines (such as antibiotics) taken by the breastfeeding mother. A similar situation is observed in the case of the use of products whose allergens are transmitted with milk to the child. Another potentially dangerous situation from the point of view of allergies is the incorrect introduction of complementary foods, including non-compliance with deadlines, and an incorrect combination of products.

Another circumstance that can provoke allergic swelling of the eyelids is children’s hygiene. Washing powder, care products (creams, bathing gels and shampoos), certain clothing materials, insufficient cleanliness of the body are fraught with a potential threat.

Manifestations

The negative impact of allergens can manifest itself in the form of allergic conjunctivitis. It is accompanied by inflammation of the mucous membrane of the eye.

Signs of allergic conjunctivitis:

• redness, swelling, swelling of the eyes,
• lacrimation,
• itching and burning,
• photophobia,
• purulent discharge.

In some cases, an allergy causes Quincke’s edema (angioneurotic edema). The eyelids swell extremely strongly, in general, the swelling can affect a significant part of the face. It is important to note that such edema is not accompanied by a painful process, however, it can complicate the breathing process, therefore, cause hypoxia and loss of consciousness.

Upper eyelid edema

Allergic swelling of the upper eyelid disrupts the normal functioning of muscle tissue. It is dangerous because it can lead to displacement of the eyeball and its protrusion.

Lower eyelid edema

It is often associated with an allergy to certain foods. In some cases, it may appear and disappear within a short period. But in general, swelling of the lower eyelid is associated with various kinds of eye diseases (blepharitis, barley).

Starting treatment

To determine the cause of the allergy, it is necessary to show the child to a specialist and pass a series of tests, and then, in accordance with the prescriptions, proceed to medication or other treatment.

But you can take some non-medical measures to combat puffiness, aimed at eliminating the allergen. It must be understood: the longer there is swelling on the eyelid, the more the child has a desire to comb it, thereby injuring the organ of vision into which the infection can get.

If there is a clear understanding that allergic swelling of the eyelids is observed, the child should be protected from allergens. It is important to protect the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx and eyes from contact. For example, during the flowering season of poplar, ragweed and other plants that are dangerous from the point of view of allergies, it is necessary to get into the habit of everyday wearing a medical mask on the street, and frequent washing of the eyes and nose. In the summer, wear sunglasses and avoid prolonged exposure to the sun, and in the winter, in the cold. Clean the house frequently to control dust. Avoid contact with animals. And of course, to revise the power system. To speed up the process of removing the allergen from the body, give your child plenty of fluids (water should be at room temperature).

Eye drops

The decision on the use of any drugs in the treatment of allergies in a child should be balanced and meaningful, based on the recommendations of specialists.

Moisturizing. The most accessible and simple of all the variety of tools that can be used. They moisten the surface of the eye, wash off the allergen, help get rid of dryness and redness of the eyeball. They are considered relatively harmless in case of long-term use.

Decongestants. They constrict blood vessels, thereby reducing irritation. It is not recommended to use them for more than 3 days, since prolonged use, on the contrary, will lead to the progress of the symptom with which the struggle was originally going on – the redness will not only not go away, but will also persist for a long time.

Anti-inflammatory. Often prescribed specifically for the treatment of non-infectious conjunctivitis. Help reduce irritation and swelling caused by allergies. They have a quick, but transient effect, and therefore for drugs of this kind, a course intake is typical.

Hormonal. They have a certain effect and contribute to the removal of allergy symptoms that appear on the eyelid. But in the case of long-term use, the supervision of an ophthalmologist is necessary, since there is a risk of detecting such side effects as glaucoma and cataracts.

Tablets

They are prescribed by a specialist based on the age of the child and the severity of his allergy after assessing how serious the allergic swelling of the eyelids is.

In pharmacies, you can find many types of tablets that can relieve the symptoms of mild allergies. If the allergic reaction is seriously life threatening, you will have to use hormonal drugs aimed at reducing inflammation and swelling.

Additionally, along with drugs, sorbents can be taken: they absorb toxic substances and allergens and help to remove them from the body.

Sorbents for children should be easy to use, safe for the gastrointestinal tract, have no third-party additives, demonstrate high efficiency and be completely eliminated from the body. Use must be carried out in strict accordance with the instructions, observing, among other things, the dosage and duration of administration. In this case, it will be possible to achieve the effect and avoid side effects.

Folk remedies

A variety of medicines and their side effects give rise to distrust and alertness in many. People see the replacement of pharmaceutical products in folk remedies. The experience of using such funds is calculated for centuries, and the list of problems they are aimed at solving is wide and includes, among other things, the fight against allergy symptoms.

Some relief for a child experiencing puffy eyelids can come from a compress of leaf tea (tea bags). The compress is performed for each eye with a separate cotton pad after cooling the brewed tea. A similar procedure is performed with brewed chamomile – this plant fights inflammation, disinfects, soothes the skin and nourishes it with beneficial trace elements.

To help relieve swelling and the itching that accompanies it, a compress of lemon balm leaves will help.

But if you decide, in accordance with other popular advice, to wash the child’s swollen eyes with a solution of potassium permanganate, then there is a very high chance of getting a chemical burn of the cornea. Expert advice required.

Prophylaxis

It has already been said above about the priority measures to combat allergies. In addition to measures of this kind, a system of daily prevention of the child’s contact with the allergen should be developed.

Get in the habit of not ventilating the nursery and the entire apartment in windy weather, which is ideal conditions for the spread of allergens of various types, carrying an unpredictable threat.

All children’s cosmetics, hygiene products and household chemicals (washing powders, fabric softeners, baby dishwashing detergents) must be hypoallergenic.