First you should recognize the symptoms of puffy or swollen eyes. The upper and lower eyelids will experience puffiness or swelling typically during the morning. The swelling can occasionally be accompanied by itching and/or redness. You may not be able to fully open or close your eyes.
Next you need to know what some of the common causes are for puffy eyes. If the body is too dehydrated it will start storing up water which leads to puffy eyes. If you drink alcohol or eat salty foods before going to sleep this can also cause puffy eyes. Alcohol lowers your anti-diuretic hormones or ADH. However, the levels will normalize and the puffiness will then subside about the same time your hangover subsides. Insufficient sleep can cause puffy eyes.
Then there are allergies which will also cause redness and itching along with the swelling. Some contributing factors for your allergies can include feather pillows, linen fabric, face-creams, dust, pollen and certain foods. Aging can also cause swollen eyes as the skin begins to lose its elasticity. Before or during menstruation the hormone levels can fluctuate which can result in water retention around the eyelids and puffiness.
Fluids can be pushed into the tissue around the eyes from high blood pressure resulting in swelling. There is eyelid dermatitis which is a skin condition that affects just the eyelids. It is typically caused by an allergic reaction to the make-up or skin-care products you are wearing. There are a few diseases of the eye that can cause puffiness including blepharitis, orbital cellulitis, chalazions, kidney infections and thyroid problems. Some drugs such as lithium can cause the thyroid to lose production which can result in puffy eyes. Lastly heredity can play a big role in puffy eyes.
There are several things you can do to help prevent puffy eyes from happening. First you should stay hydrated. You will get thirsty when you start to become dehydrated. Your urine will be nearly clear when you are properly hydrated. Just remember that some drugs and foods can change the color of your urine as well. You should also lower your salt intake. Salt can only be stored in fluid suspension which gathers around your eyes. By lowering your salt consumption you can also improve your overall health.
You should never go to sleep while wearing eye make-up. No matter how tired you are always use a remover and continue to do so until you find no signs of make-up on the cotton ball. Use a cotton pad for your eye area since it is less irritating than a tissue. You can prevent make-up from entering the eyelid and causing irritation if you remove it before sleeping.
Tainted eye make-up can also cause puffy eyes so you should be careful of bacteria. Never use an eye product or make-up that is older than a few months. By now bacteria may have grown in the make-up and can cause your eyelids to swell. It is also a good idea not to share eye products with anyone else.
Try to get enough regular, quality sleep if possible. Have your head elevated when sleeping to allow better circulation and prevent fluid from gathering around your eyes. It is best to sleep on your back so gravity doesn't route fluid directly to your eyes.
If you already have puffy eyes then there are many methods available to help you get rid of puffy eyes. However, some of these methods will require time and patience in order to get results. Consider some natural remedies for your puffy eyes.
Use a mask filled with cold water or gel for a few minutes when you first wake up in the morning. Take a paper towel to wrap a few pieces of ice and then place them on your eyelids for a few minutes to reduce the swelling. Keep eye creams refrigerated since it will help reduce puffy eyes when applied. You should gently tap cream onto your eyelids with your ring finger so you won't stimulate fluid drainage.
Have two teaspoons in the refrigerator at all times and rest them on your eyelids for at least one minute or until they warm up should you have a puffy eye attack. Take a bowl of ice-cold milk and soak cotton-wool pads in it. Squeeze out most of the liquid and place on your eyes, repeating as they warm up for about fifteen minutes. This can not only reduce puffy eyes but also brighten the whites of your eye.
You can also dip cotton balls in ice water and squeeze out the water before applying to your eyes for five to ten minutes. Black or chamomile teabags soaked in cold water placed on your eyelids for fifteen minutes will work as well. The tannic acid in the tea helps constrict the blood vessels and reduce inflammation. To help drainage you should gently press from the inside corner to the outside corner of your swollen eye.
Cucumber, potato or apple slices placed on the puffy eyelid for ten to fifteen minutes will also help. Potatoes also help to reduce dark circles under the eyes while apply have pectin which can help with anti-oxidation. Use a sale bath for your eyes by soaking cotton pads in a saline solution or a solution of one teaspoon of salt in one pint of hot water. Placing these pads on your eyelids for a few minutes will help puffy eyes.
Over the counter diuretics can help reduce your fluid retention, especially for those experiencing bloating before a period. However, diuretics can lower your blood pressure so you should have yours checked before trying this solution. Hemorrhoid cream applied around the puffy eye can help, but be very careful not to get any in your eye. Ideally you should find a cream that has yeast and shark's liver oil.
Puffiness related to allergies is a condition that can become permanent if not treated and eliminated. Damage can occur to the connective tissues in the eye after repeated swelling, stretching the skin and causing it to become looser. As a result pouches called blepharitis will develop under your eyes because the fat has bulged. These pouches can't be treated with home remedies like the occasional puffiness. A minor surgery is required called blepharoplasty in which the surgeon makes a small incision under the lower eyelid in order to remove the excess skin and get rid of the pouches for good.
There is over the counter eye gels, but many wonder if these truly work. Some gels can have ingredients like chamomile or witch hazel which can reduce puffiness. When worn under make0up the gels can help because they work as a primer so that it is easier to apply make-up. The gel will also prevent your make-up from flaking off which reduces the risk of irritation to your eyes. Many eye gels are water-based rather than oil-based so they can moisten your skin and hide lines rather than add grease to your skin.
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