Crying. Your eye doctor will be able to distinguish between the two conditions and whether additional medical testing or care is indicated. Using a hydrating eye cream with ceramides and lipids can also help hydrate the eye area and reduce swelling, says Love. Get insights on the causes of swollen eyelids in the morning, corners of the eyes, how to treat and get rid of puffy eyes effectively. In this case, you might want to consider cosmetic eyelid surgery to get rid of the puffiness. Not enough sleep. If it is slow to snap back, this means your skin lacks elasticity or turgor. Lack of sleep. Water retention overnight can also affect the eyelids. To find the best solution for puffy eyes and dark circles, it's important to identify the underlying cause. In addition, dry skin will bring attention to normal hollows and fat pad protrusions," says Love. Sunburn of the eyelids happens easily, particularly if you fall asleep lying in the sun. This occurs when a person is at least moderately dehydrated, meaning they've lost fluid equal to 10% of their body weight. Join our community to receive newsletters and offers. The eyes’ white part is red 3. If you accidentally get these products in your eyes, you can experience a severe inflammatory response known as chemical conjunctivitis. In a 2007 review, researchers found both seasonal and perennial allergies can result in puffy eyes. "Treating the underlying cause will provide relief to the eyelid puffiness.". Another common cause of under-eye puffiness is eye infections. Find an eyecare professional and book online in minutes! Allergies. Medicaid: Eligibility and Vision Benefits. Read about causes of swollen eyes, such as crying, allergies, blepharitis, and insect stings, and learn about medications that treat it. If you have the same puffy appearance around your eyes as your mother or father, it's probably an inherited trait. Several factors cause or worsen this effect, including: A common active ingredient in these preparations is phenylephrine, which is a medication that constricts blood vessels. "Our eyes are consistently making tears to lubricate themselves. This happens because aging processes cause thinning of the membrane or "septum" that ordinarily holds back fat in both the upper and lower eyelids. Pinpoint your symptoms and signs with MedicineNet… Times Internet Limited. And this is part of the reason why eye puffiness develops. Children can experience eye swelling due to various reasons ranging from rubbing the eyes to infections and injuries. Your eyes bear the impact of even small changes in your diet. A similar action takes place in the eyelids. Are polarized sunglasses good for night driving? Puffy eyes generally result from a variety of factors, including: Overconsumption of salt, which causes fluid retention Sinus problems Dehydration Fatigue and … Having swollen eyes is a fairly common occurrence among many people. Eye allergies sometimes cause significant discomfort, often interrupting daily activities with annoying symptoms such as eyelid irritation and swelling. Dominant eye test: How to find your dominant eye. Nine causes of under-eye bags (and how to get rid of them) After a late night or a good cry, anyone can experience bags under their eyes. Bags under eyes are usually a cosmetic concern and don't require specific treatment. This number changes based on exercise level and general health. But sometimes, swollen eyelids are mistaken for puffy eyes. Light sensitivity 4. While certain home remedies such as soothing cucumber slices — or even anti-hemorrhoid creams such as Preparation H — may temporarily relieve puffy eyes, a more long-lasting solution depends on the underlying cause. But why does fluid accumulate to form puffy eyes in the first place? As the membrane thins, the fat herniates and pushes forward, causing puffy eyes and dark circles and bags under the eyes. Unfortunately, aging is a cause of puffy eyes. Some eye infections will irritate your eye, and cause swelling in one or both eyes. Perfumes and scented products can also contribute to puffiness—because a … What Causes Puffy Eyes in the Morning? According to Allawh, common allergies that can cause puffy eyes include: "Eyelid infections may be caused by certain bacteria that overgrow on the skin," says Allawh. You're aging. Crying is often accompanied by swollen eyes because the tiny glands in the eyelids that produce tears become inflamed from overactivity. Puffy eyes can be caused by a variety of factors like lack of sleep, allergies, nasal congestion, and dehydration. Because the skin around the eyes is very thin, swelling and discoloration can be quite prominent. Home and lifestyle treatments may help reduce or eliminate puffy eyes.Medical and surgical treatments are available if you're concerned about the appearance of under-eye swelling. The space under your eyes is small -- an inch across, maybe. 7 common causes of puffy eyes and how to get rid of your under-eye bags. Associated symptoms and signs may include itching, watering eyes, discharge, dryness, and redness. Did you overdo it at happy hour? In a small 2013 study, researchers found sleep-deprived women were more likely to have swollen eyes and hanging eyelids. Although rare, swollen eyes and/or puffy eyelids can also be a symptom of more serious health conditions, including cancer of the eye and Grave’s disease. Eyelid sunburn. To reduce this, treat the congestion with over the counter medicine, nasal sprays, and home remedies, such as hot showers and tea. Swelling of the eyelids also can be a sign of serious, potentially sight-threatening problems, such as orbital cellulitis, Graves' disease and ocular herpes These include chemical peels and laser skin resurfacing. Times Syndication Service. Irritated eyes 5. But for some of us, the bags last long after the tears have dried. Some of the cause can be as mild as simply crying the night before, but it swollen eyes can also be a sign of a serious illness, as with having a tumor or a bacterial infection. Eating too much salt. The reasons can vary from stress to allergies and from your inherent facial characteristics to your skin’s texture and features. Constricting dilated blood vessels under the skin below your eyes may reduce the appearance of dark circles. If the swelling is focused around your eye area, then you might be dealing with conjunctivitis (a.k.a., good ol' pink eye), a nasty infection or inflammation of … 7. Crying. When it’s smooth and flat, no one notices it. The most common cause of eyelid swelling is eye allergies. Puffy eyes and dark circles under the eyes occur for many reasons, including inherited facial features, aging, stress, eye fatigue and individual skin characteristics such as texture. What happens to FSA dollars at the end of the year? Eye cancer, or an eye lymphoma, is also accompanied by blurred vision or loss of vision. Puffy or swollen eyes can be caused by fluid retention, stress, allergies, hormone changes, and other factors. However, it is a symptom. Swollen eyelids cause a puffy appearance to the eyes. Some of the signs of puffiness include: 1. You might also have some accompanying dark circles or eye redness, too. When exposed to the allergen, cells in the eyes release histamines and other chemicals in an effort to protect the eyes, causing blood vessels inside the eyes to swell, and the eyes to become itchy, red and watery. Puffy eyes are not an emergency, but (as already mentioned) they can be mistaken for swollen eyelids, which may have a serious underlying medical cause. The closed, non-blinking eyelids during sleep potentially can swell in certain people prone to this problem. Puffy eyes are generally going to be caused by anatomical factors, along with environmental factors, such as allergies, or extra fluid retention from … In a small 2013 study, researchers found sleep-deprived women were more likely to have swollen eyes... 2. How older drivers can improve their driving at night, Improve your driving at night: With tips on glasses and lenses. While not a dangerous condition, puffy eyes are common and can appear due to a variety of factors like crying or dehydration. Eyeglass temples: How do you know if they're the right length? A swollen eyelids is a very annoying condition to have. 7 common causes of puffy eyes and how to get rid of your under-eye bags 1. A swollen eyelid happens when fluid collects in the tissues around your eyes. You drink tons of water, you don’t salt your food, but when you wake up in the morning, your eyes don’t just have bags…they have 50-pound luggage. When idle, some people develop swelling in their lower extremities that goes away as soon as they start walking and muscles in the legs begin "milking" the trapped fluids (edema), which are absorbed back into circulation. SEE RELATED: Blurry vision in the morning. Before trying hemorrhoid cream or other home remedies for puffy eyes, ask your eye doctor for advice about other treatment options that are safe and more effective. Be aware that there are risks associated with using hemorrhoid creams for puffy eyes and dark circles. 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