How to Get Rid of Eyelid Puffiness
Puffy eyelids from allergies, irritations, inflammations, or infections are more common than you think. While it's crucial to understand the symptoms to manage this skin condition, it would be quite beneficial for you to learn your options so you're able to alleviate the discomfort or pain.
Find out what causes eyelid swelling, what the medical treatment options are, and what home remedies you can try to see if they help. The important thing to know is that you will be able to get rid of eyelid puffiness, and we'll share all these options with you in this article.
Short Summary
- Eyelid puffiness is caused by fluid retention in the eyelid area.
- To treat puffy eyes, use a warm, wet washcloth, cucumber slices, tea bags, etc.
- Fluid buildup in the eyelid area can cause eyelid puffiness, which may be accompanied by symptoms like irritation, infection, or blurry vision.
Causes of Eyelid Puffiness
Puffy eyes are frequently confused with swollen eyes. Common causes of swollen eyes, as opposed to puffy eyes, include severe infections that require medical attention in addition to allergies. In terms of eyelid puffiness, fluid retention is what causes it the most.
Less often occurring chronic illnesses that necessitate medication and frequent medical visits are the cause of puffy eyes. You might also notice your eyelid or eye area puffier due to an insect bite. Depending on the cause, different treatment options will be available for your eyelid puffiness.
Understanding eyelid puffiness can help you take the necessary steps, as the health of your eyes is intimately linked to the health of the rest of your body. Several factors might lead to swollen eyes, but each case could be different.
There are various causes of swollen eyes in humans, such as:
- High-salt diet: Consuming a lot of foods high in salt makes you retain water, which makes you swell.
- Allergies: Allergy-related congestion and inflammation can occasionally make under-eye puffiness worse.
- Medical conditions: Eye swelling can result from a number of illnesses, including thyroid issues.
- Genetics: It is possible that the appearance of under-eye bags runs in your family.
- Aging naturally: As you age, your skin and muscles lose their suppleness.
The process of aging is one of the most common causes of eyelid puffiness. As your skin becomes older, it becomes more lax, so it tends to wrinkle more often than younger skin. The muscles surrounding your eyes can also contribute to puffiness, so some people will be more likely to have this issue than others.
Symptoms of Puffy Eyes
Inflammation brought on by a number of ailments, such as allergies, injuries, and infections, can cause swelling around the eyes.
Depending on how much there is swelling around the eye, visual obstruction may result. Other symptoms, including pain, tearing, infection, discomfort, and itching, may also accompany swelling.
However, puffy eyes can be an underlying cause of another issue, such as these health conditions:
- Blepharitis
- Conjunctivitis
- Graves Disease
- Keratitis
- Diabetic Retinopathy
- Optic Neuritis
- Trauma
You can also notice puffy eyes if you've recently undergone eyelid surgery or laser resurfacing treatment, seeing it's a very common symptom after the procedure. Also, if your lenses are making you feel uncomfortable for whatever reason, you might notice you have puffy eyes.
Home Remedies for Puffy Eyelids
A warm compress can help relieve pain and accelerate recovery. With obstruction and oil secretion, warmth might be helpful. This can be performed three to five times every day.
When you have a chalazion or stye, stay away from using cosmetics. To avoid reinfection and reduce swelling, think about changing your makeup brushes or other utensils as well.
A physician could occasionally suggest antibiotic eye drops or ointments. The doctor may carry out an in-office treatment to drain the chalazion if it persists.
Depending on your health history, these at-home treatments can be beneficial for you:
- Cleaning the area
- Using a warm, wet, and clean washcloth or compress
- Artificial tears
- Cucumber slices
- Tea bag
- Oral antihistamines
- Oral antibiotics
- Steroid nasal spray
Also, make sure you get enough sleep every night, as this can also help you reduce inflammation. Your under-eye area needs rest, regardless of the causes of your puffiness. Getting enough sleep and water are the most important factors when trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Changes to Implement Today
There are certain changes you can make in your lifestyle that can help you deal with puffy eyes and prevent them from coming back. Keep in mind that you can try all of them, but you should pay attention to treatments that help you alleviate your symptoms. If you're reading this article because your child is experiencing eyelid swelling, visit the doctor first without trying to treat it on your own.
Face Massages
Fluid accumulation around the eyes can be released by massaging the face. To assist in decreasing enlarged blood vessels or lymphatics, Dr. Thosani recommends using a cooling face roller that delivers a firm, cold touch or rubbing the area while applying moisturizer every day.
Dietary Changes
Certain foods, particularly those high in salt, can affect the body's ability to regulate fluid through the lymphatic system. In other words, a diet rich in salt may lead to water retention and excessive accumulation of fluids, including in the facial area.
Fillers
Hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring moisturizing compound in the body, is a key ingredient in dermal fillers, which are gaining popularity as cosmetic treatments. These fillers restore volume and help counteract the shadowing effect that can make under eyes appear swollen, puffy, and tired. They also reduce the visibility of capillaries and are particularly effective in addressing structural issues and other factors contributing to under-eye swelling.
Conclusion
Puffy eyelids can occur due to a number of reasons, from an allergic reaction and eye makeup to reconstructive surgery, contact lenses, and other medical conditions. If your under-eye area is swollen, and you notice other symptoms from our list, make sure you try at-home treatments and also gently wash the area around your eyes to avoid skin irritation.
Try to get enough sleep during the night and reduce stress as much as possible, as both of these impact your condition. If your symptoms are not going away, visit your doctor and see if there are certain prescription medications you can take to alleviate the discomfort. Share with your doctors any other health conditions you have that might be the cause of your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Get Rid of Swollen Eyelids?
If you're looking to get rid of swollen eyelids, there are several treatments for you to try at home. Whether it's a warm compress, cucumber slices, not wearing makeup, gently washing your eyes with prescription products, etc. If you notice that puffy eyes are interfering with your vision or are causing irritation or itching, see a doctor to get the right medications.
Is a Cool Compress Good for Swollen Eyelids?
Many people assume that a cold compress can help alleviate any discomfort you might feel, whether it's irritation or inflammation. However, you will actually need a clean cloth and warm water. This might alleviate any of the lighter symptoms, but if you continue to notice inflammation, irritation, infection, or blurry vision, you should see a doctor immediately. The same applies if your child is experiencing this problem, but in this case, avoid trying at-home remedies and immediately take them to the doctor.
Do Eye Drops Help with Eyelid Swelling?
Your doctor might prescribe you eye drops for eyelid swelling. If only one eye is affected, you will need to apply the eye drops to that eye. They might help with dry eyes as well. That is why it's crucial not to take any medications before talking to a doctor. Even if you can find certain eye drops that can help your eyes moist, in these situations, it's always best to use a saline solution recommended by your doctor and not something you've just stumbled upon in the nearest pharmacy.
Do Contact Lenses Cause Eyelid Swelling?
Normally, the contact lenses shouldn't cause swelling of the eyelid area. However, if you notice skin irritation, infection, pain, or any type of discomfort in that area, you should see your doctor to detect the issue. This will help you treat eye puffiness as well. They might prescribe a treatment to help with your infection, light sensitivity, water eyes, or any other issue you're experiencing at the moment.