What causes puffy eyelids? 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.
Puffy Eyelids
This is a condition that makes eyes look swollen and tired, and often depending on the severity of the problem, they can make it difficult to open or close one’s eyes completely. There are many causes for puffy eyelids; hence some are avoidable, while others are not. However, there are also numerous at-home treatments you can use to reduce the puffiness in your eyelids.
Symptoms of Puffy Swollen Eyes
Swelling of the eyelids is a symptom of an underlying cause, such as allergy or infection. Swollen eyes usually are accompanied by one or more of the following conditions:
- Eye irritation, such as an itchy or scratchy sensation
- Excess tear production, resulting in watering eyes
- Obstructed vision (depending on the extent of the swelling)
- Redness of the eyelid
- Red eyesand inflammation of the conjunctiva
- Eye discharge, or “mattering”
- Eyelid dryness or flaking
- Pain, particularly when swollen eyelids are caused by infection
Other Symptoms associated with Puffy Eyelids
- Swelling or swollen eyelids
- Bags or excessive skinunder eyes
- Itchy eyes
- Red, bloodshot eyes
- Irritated eyes
- Inability to open or close eyes completely
- Difficulty blinking
- Tenderness
- Pain
Generally, touching leads to rubbing and rubbing leads to puffiness. So if you are experiencing any of these symptoms, do your best to leave your eyes and eyelids alone until treatment can be obtained. If you are experiencing all of these symptoms, or if your puffy eyelids are severe, then you should contact your doctor immediately.
Unfortunately, most of us have had to deal with a swollen eyelid at some point in our lives. Puffy, swollen eyelids can cause discomfort, embarrassment, impaired vision, and difficulty applying cleanser or make-up. This problem can become serious if it’s not treated properly and quickly. In most cases, puffiness, tenderness, and red swelling of your upper and/or lower eyelid are indications of infection. And sometimes the swelling can be accompanied by discharge in the corner of your eye.
Depending on the severity of your swelling and the amount of pain you are in, you may want to seek medical attention immediately. You can try at-home remedies first, but if you’re unsure what caused it, it might be wise to ask a doctor.
Puffy Eyelids Causes
There are a number of things that can cause your eyelid to swell. Here are the most common causes:
Infections
Bacterial or viral infections can often cause swollen eyelids. These kinds of infections can be caused by improperly stored or misused cosmetics, by rubbing your eyes when your hands are dirty, or by any number of other practices.
Conjunctivitis
This condition, also known as pink eye, causes the white of your eye to become swollen, itchy, and red. Pink eye can also cause your eyelids to swell. This condition has a variety of causes, ranging from bacterial infection to allergies. Sometimes pink eye can be contagious, so double check with your doctor.
Orbital cellulitis
This is a rare condition involving an infection of the tissues surrounding the eyes. If orbital cellulitis is left untreated, it can spread to the sinuses and even further. Cellulitis infection requires immediate medical intervention. It’s more common in children, too.
Blepharitis
This is usually caused by a bacterial infection or a skin disorder. In either case, the eyelash follicles become inflamed and painful, and the affected person may notice discharge from the eye, pain, swelling, blurred vision, and a gritty sensation when blinking.
Styes
Also called a hordeolum, this is a kind of cyst on eyelid caused by a bacterial infection in the sweat- or oil-producing glands at the base of the eyelashes. It may be accompanied by pus, puffy eyelids, and redness. Styes usually go away on their own within a few weeks, and the healing process can be speeded along by applying a warm, wet compress to the affected eye each day for fifteen minutes.
Chalazion
It usually resembles a stye. It appears as a small, firm, round nodule the eyelid and it is caused by eye-duct blockage in the eye’s lubricating glands. Chronic blepharitis sufferers are somewhat prone to chalazia. Like a stye, a chalazion will often go away on its own, although in some cases surgery will be necessary to remove it.
Eyelid Dermatitis
This condition produces wrinkled, swollen, red, itchy, sometimes scaly eyelids. It is caused by an allergic reaction.
Blepharochalasis
This is an eye disorder, usually affecting children, that causes inflammation and puffy eyelids.
Shingles
This condition is caused by the Herpes Zoster (chickenpox) Virus. It manifests itself as a painful, itchy rash, sometimes accompanied by fluid-filled blisters. Other symptoms include fever, photophobia (sensitivity to light), and fatigue.
Contact lenses or solutions
Dirty lenses or certain types of cleaning solutions can contribute to swollen eyelids. Dirt on the lens can irritate the eye and the skin underneath the eyelid. Cleaning solutions can also cause irritation. Talk with your doc if you’re having trouble with either of these things.
Additional causes of swollen eyelids include:
- Lack of sleep
- Too much sodium in the diet
- Too much alcohol
- Crying
- Too much artificial sweetener in diet
- Genetics: many people are simply born with a predisposition to swollen eyelids.
- High blood pressure
- Hormonal imbalances of the sort that accompany pregnancy
- Certain medications can cause tissue swelling all over the body. Often water retention is the culprit.
- Dehydration
Anyone experiencing a single, sudden, unexplained puffy eyelid should seek medical attention from an eye specialist. If you are experiencing eyelid swelling on a regular basis it could be due to an allergic reaction to your face wash, fragrances, make-up, or laundry detergent. If you have no known allergies, there could be a more serious problem.
Puffy Upper Eyelids
Puffy eyelids are those eyes that have suffered enlargement. This can be either on the upper or lower eyelid. The swelling usually results from inflammation or a buildup of fluids in the tissues surrounding your eyes. The causes for this condition range from mild infections and inflammation to more serious cases.
There also are some more specific causes for puffy upper eyelids. Eyelid cysts are one of them. These develop over time and are rarely painful. However, in case they become infected, it is possible for them to become red and inflamed. Another condition frequently confused with cysts is formation of styes. These tend to occur at the end of eyelashes of the upper or lower eyelid and only become visible with time. How long the swelling lasts is determined by the cause and severity.
Causes such as allergic reactions last a short while and will go away when there is not more exposure to allergen. There always will be tell-tale signs of when an eyelid swelling should be of concern. In case the swelling is accompanied by symptoms such as a double vision, abnormal bulging, fever or vision loss, a physician should be contacted. In case of any of these danger signs, you should see the doctor immediately. Do the same if there is excessive pain or if the swelling does not get better or go away with time even after you have tried using home remedies for swollen eyes.
Puffy Eyelids in the Morning
As you continue to grow in age the tissues around your eyes become weak hence, waking up with swollen eyes in the morning may become more common. Although swollen eyes are not typically a medical concern, they can cause you more problems and many people look for ways to reduce the puffiness. A number of home remedies treatments can help control puffy eyelids in the morning under normal circumstances, but you should always consult a doctor if your eye swelling is particularly severe or persistent.
If you woke up in the morning and realize that your eyes are swollen, there are a few steps that you may have to follow and some of them involve the following:
Step 1
Apply a cool compress or cold, wet washcloth to the eyes for roughly 15 to 20 minutes. Do this while you remain sitting upright as you do this and use mild pressure, as MayoClinic.com explains. This will help bring down the puffiness.
Step 2
Take allergy medication if your swollen eyes are as a result of allergies. Try an over-the-counter antihistamine medication first, but if that doesn’t work, ask your medical provider if a prescription allergy medication would prove useful.
Step 3
As said earlier, remain upright, as keeping your head up may help the fluid pooling under your eyes to dissipate, which then may reduce the puffiness.
Step 4
Avoid excessively rubbing or touching the area around the puffy eyelids. Rubbing and touching the eyelids may contribute to the swelling and create dark circles, as the Dr. Gary Goldfaden in the March 2005 issue of “Life Extension Magazine” explains.
Step 5
Get some more sleep. If you had less than seven to eight hours of sleep, sleeping may help reduce the swelling eyelids. Keep your head slightly elevated while sleeping to prevent fluid from pooling under your eyes.
Puffy Upper Eyelids inner Corner
Swelling of the eyes can cause a lot of discomfort and pain. Swollen eyelids in the inner corner are painful or hurt when blinking, or generally feel sore. The cause of puffy eyelids on your lower eyelid can as well be the same cause of the puffiness on the upper eyelid. However, there are some causes that are more specific to the either eyelids. The inner corner of the upper eyelid on the other hand can be caused by allergy or blockage of some fluid tissues.
According to EyeHealthWeb, build-up of fluid is a common cause of the swelling of upper and lower eyelids. All About Vision on the other hand list inflammation or allergies as a cause of swollen eyelids. However, this condition can be treated with home remedies or naturally.
Puffy Eyelids from Crying
Whether you’re tough or the more sensitive type, everyone needs a good cry from time to time. Crying every once in a while can be good for you, but once the waterworks are over, you still have to deal with your tell-tale cry face. Cue the puffy, bloodshot eyes, red nose and everyone asking if you’re okay. But not to worry with a few quick tricks to counteract the redness and swelling, you’ll be back to normal in no time.
Run your fingers under icy-cold water, then, starting at the inner corners of your eyes, press down on the skin until you reach the outer corners of your eyes. Repeat several times to help drain the fluid that has accumulated underneath your eyes. If you can, follow up with an eye serum formulated with yeast extracts to flatten the area further.
To combat redness in the whites, use over-the-counter drops. “One to two drops per eye is sufficient and should wash away the redness upon contact,” says dermatologist Debra Jaliman, the author of Skin Rules. Finally, cover up your red nose, plus any other areas that have become flushed, with a yellow-tinted concealer.
Puffy Eyelids Home Remedies – Swollen Eyelid
Avoid rubbing the eyes as this could worsen the condition. Keep the eyes clean as well to avoid getting infections. Where the swelling is severe, persistent or when the use of home remedies does not yield any relief, medical treatment should be sought immediately.
Where the swelling is minor, the use of home remedies for swollen eyelid will help ease the swelling, soothe irritation and relief pain. We look at some of these home treatments and how to make use of them for fast relief.
Drink a lot of water
Sometimes the cause of swollen eyes is dehydration. When the body is dehydrated, it tends to build water reserves within the body and one of the results could be swollen eyelids. Where this is the case, drinking plenty of water can help treat puffy eyelids. It is also recommended that you avoid alcohol as this can aggravate the dehydration. When your body stays well hydrated, this helps to prevent it from going into survival mode and thus avoid getting puffed up in the wrong places.
Cold Water
This is a great and simple cure for eyelids that have swollen up. This is more so where they are caused by sleepless nights. The coolness from the water will constrict the blood vessels thus lessen swelling as well as inflammation. For a number of times each day, splash your face with ice-cold water. Also, the same effect could also be achieved by using ice compresses on the eyes.
Salt Water
A solution of warm water and salt helps to draw out water retained in the eyes in a process similar to osmosis. With less water retained, the swelling is minimized. Place wool soaked in salt water solution on the eyes for a few minutes before doing the same for the other eye using a clean set of eye pads.
Chilled Tea Bags
Both green and black teas have soothing effects for swollen and irritating eyes. Caffeinated tea helps to constrict blood vessels and thus cure the swelling. While lying down, shut your eyes and place warm tea bags over each eye.
Cold Spoons
When spoons are cooled, they help to tighten up the skin around the eyelids as well as relax the blood vessels. When this happens, the eyes are relieved off the swellings. Place the reverse side of each spoon on each eye.
Light Eye Massage
When done in the right way, a massage around the eyes is a great treatment method that can help eliminate swelling. Move the finger from the inside heading outside in an arc shape. Keep repeating this for about ten minutes and then switch to the other eye.
In addition to the home remedies discussed earlier on, you can make use of natural remedies to alleviate swellings on eyelids. These natural remedies for swollen eyelids are easy to use, affordable and readily available. Pick the one you feel comfortable and try it on your eyes for fast relief.
Cucumbers
This great vegetable is a great remedy for swollen eyes. Cucumbers contain astringent properties and are not only cooling but soothing as well. They help in constricting blood vessels around the eyelids and thus help in getting rid of the swelling. In case there is any skin irritation with the swelling, cucumbers contain caffeic acid and vitamin C which will be nourishing to the eyes and which help to reduce it. While leaning back, place a slice on each eye for 10-15 minutes.
Aloe Vera
This natural remedy for puffy eyelids contains vitamin E and antioxidants which are vital for eye health. When used on swollen eyes, it helps to improve circulation of blood. It also flashes out any unnecessary fluids found under the eye. This helps to treat any swelling around the eyes. With clean hands, apply this gel around the eyes and allow it to dry up after which you will use some water to wash it off.
Potatoes
These work in the same way as cucumbers. They are effective in clearing swelling on eyelids. They contain starch and have anti-inflammatory qualities. These help in reducing swelling. When used around the eyes, they will also help to get rid of dark circles.
- Wash a dry medium sized potato and peel it.
- Grate the potato to obtain fine shavings.
- Wrap up these shavings in a clean piece of cloth and use it to cover the eyelids.
- Allow it rest for a few minutes before taking it off.
Egg Whites
These contain ingredients that help in tightening the skin. These will help in getting rid of the swelling.
- Get two egg whites and whip them in a bowl until they attain a stiff consistency.
- Add some drops of witch hazel and use a soft cloth to treat the eyelids with it.
- Leave to dry and repeat procedure daily.
In addition to employing the above treatments, it is possible to avoid getting swollen eyelids. This you can do by following the tips listed below.
Puffy Eyelids Treatment
There are many things that can help your puffy eyes. These include treatments and putting into place preventive measures to avert further swelling. Whatever you do should be determined by what the cause of the swelling is as well as the extent of damage done.
In case the cause of the swelling is allergies, you should use antihistamines and decongestants to ease the swelling. These can be in the form of eye drops or oral medication. Also ensure that you eliminate the allergens. Where the swelling is not as a result of allergies, the use of natural and home remedies can help eliminate mild and moderate swellings. If your eyelids are painful or tender to the touch, the cause is likely an infection, cyst, or stye. It’s important to determine the cause of your puffy eyelids, as treatment options depend on what caused it.
Treatment for cysts: For relief, hold a wet heated cloth over your eye. The warmth can help with oil secretion and blockage. You can do this four to five times a day. If the cyst continues to linger, see your doctor. They can help drain it for you.
Treatment for stye: You can use a warm compress to bring relief and promote healing. It usually takes a few weeks before it clears up. Avoid using makeup while you have a stye, as this can cause reinfection.
Treatment for pink eye: You can clean the sticky and crusty eyelids with warm water and cotton. The eye may get better on its own without treatment. During this time, avoid touching your eyes and keep your pillowcases clean. You’ll also want to stop using eye cosmetics and contact lenses.
What to do if it’s an infection
An infection in the skin is called cellulitis. The skin around your eye will become red and may hurt. You will need antibiotics to relieve this swelling. Cellulitis usually affects the legs but can occur anywhere.
More references
- Puffy eyelids: http://www.eyehealthweb.com/puffy-eyelids/
- puffy upper eyelids: https://www.realself.com/question/heavy-puffy-upper-eyelids-surgical-alternatives-fix
- how to treat swollen eyes in the morning: http://www.livestrong.com/article/268333-how-to-cure-swollen-eyes-in-the-morning/
- eyelid inflammation: http://www.healthline.com/health/blepharitis#overview1