Puffy Eyes
What Are Puffy Eyes?
Puffy eyes are a condition where the eyes begin swelling due to different factors. The skin around the eyes is very thin and is full of blood vessels which make it very sensitive. Usually puffy eyes will go away after a little bit of time or some treatments done at home. However, puffy eyes are also symptoms of other eye conditions that may require examination by an eye care professional. In cases where puffy eyes are severe and persistent or are accompanied by pain, discomfort, blurry vision, or other conditions, an optometrist should be contacted about the problem.
Causes of Puffy Eyes
Puffy eyes can be caused by many factors. These include fluid retention, stress, allergies, hormone changes, and other factors as well. When we cry, it is often accompanied by swollen eyes. This is due to the fact that are body reacts to emotions and causes more blood to flow through the eyes which leads to swelling. Also the production of too many emotional tears can strain the eyes. Also, we get puffy eyes after sleeping. This can be caused by different factors such as too much sodium in a diet causing water retention, tossing and turning and not getting enough sleep, excessive drinking of alcohol, and others as well.
Puffy Eyes Treatments and Home Remedies
For normal puffy eyes that are not caused by other eye conditions, there are many ways to get rid of puffy eyes. The following is a list of what to do for treating puffy eyes:
- Wash face with ice cold water
- Limit sodium intake
- Drink plenty of water to clean out your system
- Place two slices of cool cucumber on the eyes for several minutes
- Moisten two tea bags in cold water, chill them in the refrigerator and place them over closed eyelids for several minutes
- For allergies and puffy eyes, find out the item causing the allergic reaction and minimize its use; doctors may also provide medication in the form of shots or prescription drugs
- Cream for puffy eyes - Try a soothing eye cream with aloe and Vitamin E, which can be applied to the eyes
[Page updated 3/2011]
