Allergies, stress, eye fatigue, and inherited facial features or skin texture are some of the causes of swelling or puffy eyes. While a few home remedies like soothing cucumber slices or even anti-hemorrhoid creams may give temporary relief from puffy eyes, a more long-term solution relies on the underlying cause.
Causes
A puffy eye is a swelling in the eye area caused by an excessive accumulation of fluids (edema) in the surrounding skin tissue. The eye is surrounded by a thin skin where discoloration and swelling can be quite prominent.
But, why does edema in the eyes occur in the first place? Puffy eyes normally occur because of several factors including:
- Excessive consumption of salt that promotes fluid retention
- Allergies that cause inflammation and swelling
- Dehydration
- Sinus problems
- Fatigue
- Lack of sleep
- Stress
- Aging
- Inherited facial features
- Crying
Aging can cause eye puffiness because the fatty tissue that protects the bony eye socket begins to sag and push forward. Also, blinking for eyelids is like walking for legs. When idle such as sleeping, some people develop eye puffiness which can quickly go away as you wake up and start blinking.
Do Puffy Eyes Mean Serious Medical Condition?
When swollen eyelids appear suddenly, it could be a sign of an underlying medical problem. Bulging eyes can be a symptom of a thyroid disorder called Grave’s disease. Some eye allergies can also cause swollen eyes such as reactions to a particular food, chemical, or drug. Dry eye syndrome or eye infections such as pink eyes can also induce inflammation.
Getting Rid of Puffy Eyes
To find the best treatment for puffy eyes, the first step is to identify the underlying cause. If your parents have the same puffy eyes, then it must be an inherited trait. In cases like this, you might want to consider blepharoplasty, chemical peels, or laser skin resurfacing to get rid of the puffiness.
Various temporary remedies can also help reduce puffy eyes, such as:
- Drinking more fluid to prevent dehydration
- Eye drops to treat irritation
- Applying cold compress
- Applying cucumber slices or chilled tea bags
- Using eye creams
- Reducing salt intake
- Eating more potassium to eliminate excess fluids in the body
- Getting plenty of sleep
Constricting blood vessels can help reduce potential leakage of fluid that causes puffiness. Eye creams such as hemorrhoid creams can help shrink these blood vessels. Be mindful of the risks associated with using hemorrhoid creams for puffy eyes as these can cause severe inflammatory response known as chemical conjunctivitis. Consult your doctor before using hemorrhoid creams.
