By: Richard Bleuze
Puffy eyes are a condition where the eyes begin swelling due to different factors. Usually puffy eyes will go away after a little bit of time or some treatments done at home. However, puffy eyes can also be symptoms of other eye conditions that may require examination by an eye care professional. Puffy eyes can be caused by many factors such as the following:
1) Dehydration. When the body gets dehydrated it begins storing up water, which can cause puffy eyes.
2) Diet. Drinking alcohol or eating salty foods before going to sleep. Alcohol can cause puffy eyes because it lowers anti-diuretic hormones (ADH) in the body, but the levels will normalize and the puffiness will usually subside at about the same time your hangover subsides.
3) Insufficient sleep.
4) Allergies. If your puffy eyes are accompanied by redness and itching, the cause may be associated with an allergy. Possible contributing factors include feather pillows, linen fabric, face-creams, dust, pollen, or food.
5) Aging. As you get older the skin begins to loose elasticity, causing swollen eyes.
6) Hormonal changes. The days just before and during menstruation cause hormone levels to fluctuate, this can result in water retention around the eyelids.
7) High blood pressure, which pushes fluids into the tissue around the eyes, can result in swelling.
8) Eyelid dermatitis, a rash on the skin which just affects the eyelids, that is usually caused by an allergic reaction to make-up or skin-care products.
9) Drugs. Drugs such as lithium that cause the thyroid to become less productive can also result in swollen eyes.
10) Heredity.
How can you prevent puffy eyes:
- Stay hydrated!!! If you are thirsty, you are dehydrated. When properly hydrated, your urine will be nearly clear.
- Lower your salt intake. The body can only store salt in fluid suspension - which will gather in the skin around your eyes.
- Never sleep wearing eye make-up. .
- Beware of bacteria. Speaking of eye make-up…Do not use mascara or any other eye product that is older than a few months.
- Be sure you get enough quality, regular sleep.
- Sleep with your head elevated to allow better circulation and prevent fluid from collecting around your eyes.
- Sleep on your back so that gravity does not route fluid directly to your eyes.
For normal puffy eyes that is not caused by other eye conditions, there are many ways to get rid of puffy eyes. The following list is only a few of the home remedies that I might suggest:
- Wash face with ice cold water
- Limit sodium intake
- Drink plenty of water to clean out your system
- Wear a mask that is filled with cold water or gel for a few minutes when you wake up in the morning.
- Wrap pieces of ice in paper towels and place them on your eyelids for a few minutes. The cold will reduce the swelling.
- Keep your eye creams in the refrigerator. The cool cream will help reduce your puffy eyes. When applying the cream, gently tap it onto your eyelid with your ring finger, so as to stimulate fluid drainage.
- Keep two teaspoons in the refrigerator and when you have an attack of the swollen eyelids; rest them on your eyelids for a minimum of one minute or until they warm up.
- Soak cotton-wool pads in a bowl of ice-cold milk and then squeeze most of the liquid out. Place the pads on your eyes and repeat as they warm up for about 15 minutes. This will also brighten the white in your eye.
- Dip cotton balls in ice water, and then squeeze the water out. Apply the cotton balls to your eyes for 5-10 minutes.
- Give your eyes a salt bath by soaking cotton pads in a saline solution or a solution of one teaspoon of salt in one pint of hot water. Place the pads on your puffy eyelids for a few minutes.
- For swollen puffy eyes, try mixing Witch-Hazel 5 drops, along with 1 drop of Fennel, 1 drop Cypress & 5 drops Jojoba oil. Apply gently to puffy area UNDER the eyes NOT on the eyelid
- 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
- Cram for puffy eyes - Try a soothing eye cream with aloe and Vitamin E, which can be applied to the eyes
