Bags under the eyes are a cosmetic problem, the cause of which can often be found in familial predisposition. Depending on whether the appearance is permanent or temporary, there are several treatment options to minimize the bags under the eyes.
What are bags under the eyes?
Eye bags are a visible swelling or drooping of the lower eyelid area of both eyes. Tear sacs are defined as a visible swelling or drooping of the lower eyelid area of both eyes. Often, bags extend to the base of the cheekbone and are also accompanied by sagging of the upper eyelid area. In severe cases, a skin fold develops at the lower edge of the tear sac and the entire lower eyelid is pulled downward. As a result, the reddish inner lid margin becomes visible. The actor Horst Tappert † (“Derrick”), who made them his trademark, is still considered a prime example of severely pronounced bags under the eyes. The popular explanation that the bags under the eyes are where all the unshed tears collect is definitely wrong. Even if the skin bulges give the face a sad expression: Not only depressed people develop bags under their eyes.
Causes
Bags under the eyes are caused by several factors. The strongest influence is the genetic predisposition, which is responsible for the nature of the connective tissue. In second place comes age: with increasing years, almost everyone develops the tendency to bags under the eyes. If the connective tissue is naturally stable, it remains at a slight expression, which is perceived as little disturbing. Lifestyle also has an influence: Those who frequently suffer from dark circles due to alcohol consumption or excessive smoking in their younger years thus increase the likelihood that the connective tissue will have nothing to oppose the accumulated toxins as they age:
There is a deterioration of the skin, the lacrimal sac is there. Less common causes of bags under the eyes are disorders of water balance (kidney or heart disease).
Diseases with this symptom
- Quincke’s edema
- Alcoholism
- Renal insufficiency
Diagnosis and course
To diagnose bags under the eyes is not difficult, because they are clearly visible. On the other hand, finding out the individual cause is more difficult. If bags under the eyes appear suddenly and feel like bulging water, it is worth going to the doctor if there are no obvious causes (eye dryness, conjunctivitis, lack of sleep or excessive crying). Especially if the swellings do not disappear quickly on their own or are accompanied by swellings in other parts of the body, the affected person should take notice: Only a doctor can reliably detect previously undetected heart or kidney weakness. If the bags under the eyes have developed over a longer period of time and feel flabby rather than bulging, the doctor will diagnose a connective tissue weakness and make the prognosis that the bags under the eyes will not recede on their own.
Complications
When the lymph flow loses its normal rhythm, fluid accumulates under the eyes. The swelling thus caused usually recedes within a few hours after getting up in the morning. Complications are not to be expected in these cases. If the bags under the eyes are caused by an allergy, the swelling may cover the entire eye. In rare cases, the eyes can even become completely swollen shut. However, this complication is only to be expected if the patient has severe allergic reactions and the allergen cannot be found and avoided or the patient does not respond to the usual treatment methods. If dry and inflamed eyes are the reason for the bags under the eyes, complications usually affect the eyeball. Dryness and inflammation that are not treated, for example, can result in damage to the cornea. However, puffiness under the eyes can also be due to age or hereditary predisposition. In these cases, the connective tissue loses its firmness and the fatty tissue under the eyes sags. Under this premise, extremely pronounced bags under the eyes often develop and do not disappear on their own. The swellings themselves are harmless, but those affected often suffer psychologically from the associated disfigurement. The sagging lower limbs must then be surgically removed.
When should you go to the doctor?
Bags under the eyes are not an independent clinical picture, but only a symptom. Nevertheless, bags under the eyes can be caused by various reasons, so that not infrequently a visit to the doctor is inevitable. In most cases, bags under the eyes are caused by bad lifestyle habits. Medical or drug treatment is not necessary in such a case, because the bags under the eyes will disappear completely by themselves within several hours. However, if the bags under the eyes persist for several days, then this appearance should definitely be examined by a doctor. This may be due to a serious disease that requires medical treatment. It is not uncommon for conjunctivitis to be responsible for severely pronounced bags under the eyes. Conjunctivitis can be treated in advance by the affected person himself. Anti-inflammatory agents, such as chamomile, can effectively treat and contain the existing inflammation. However, if there is no significant improvement after a few days, then a visit to the doctor should not be put on the back burner. Otherwise, the existing inflammation can worsen considerably, so that it can even lead to the formation of pus fluid. However, conjunctivitis can be treated effectively and within a short time by appropriate treatment with medication. Thus, a significant improvement should already occur after a few days.
Treatment and therapy
How to treat bags under the eyes depends on their nature and cause. If a serious underlying disease has been ruled out, the doctor will first ask about lifestyle in the case of puffiness-related bags under the eyes, especially if the bags are accompanied by dark circles under the eyes. Sufficient sleep, plenty of mineral water, a healthy diet with little salt and abstaining from alcohol and nicotine are often enough to eliminate the evil. Applying cool packs is also helpful. An old household remedy is the application of hemorrhoid ointment, which contains decongestant substances. However, cortisone-containing hemorrhoid ointments should be avoided, as they weaken the skin and damage the connective tissue. Drainage tablets should only be taken on medical advice. If sagging skin is the cause of bags under the eyes, cosmetic treatment with firming agents can be considered in the initial stages. However, their effect is only temporary, so the applications must be repeated regularly to achieve a lasting effect. In severe cases, only surgical removal of the bags under the eyes as part of an eyelid lift will help.
Outlook and prognosis
Eye bags are caused by a wide variety of factors, so a prognosis or outlook in this context is very difficult. Since bags under the eyes are a swelling of the lower eyelids, a quick cooling of the affected area can be an effective treatment option. Already after several hours in such a case, a significant improvement should be noticeable. But even without cooling the affected area, a quick disappearance of the bags under the eyes is not uncommon. However, only if the bags under the eyes are not associated with any underlying disease. Poor lifestyle habits such as little sleep or excessive alcohol consumption also cause bags under the eyes. In such a case, even cooling the affected areas does not help. Another cause can be an inflammation in this area. A stye or conjunctivitis can also cause bags under the eyes. Without any medical treatment, such an inflammation can worsen immensely, so that it can even lead to the formation of pus. However, if you consult a doctor promptly in such a case, you will notice a significant improvement and relief of the respective inflammation within a few days.
Prevention
Those who want to prevent bags under the eyes should refrain from excessive consumption of alcohol and cigarettes. Hereditary factors cannot be influenced in this way, but the development of bags under the eyes can be delayed. Those who have a particularly fine skin in the eye area, can achieve through the regular application of care creams that the skin remains elastic longer and bags under the eyes do not appear so quickly.
What you can do yourself
Bags under the eyes can be reliably relieved with simple home remedies and natural active ingredients.Acutely, cooling applications such as a cold teaspoon under the eye or an ice pack after getting up help. Chamomile cream and similar preparations provide the skin with important moisture and have a decongestant effect. Quick help is also promised by used tea bags or coffee pads, which are cooled for a few minutes and then applied to the bags under the eyes. A quark mask stimulates blood circulation in the sensitive skin under the eyes and reduces swelling. Bags under the eyes can also be relieved by regular massages with sesame oil or a vitamin E ointment. Alternatively, lymphatic drainage in the evening or a detailed skin massage can help. In the long term, bags under the eyes can be remedied by a healthy lifestyle. A restful night’s sleep helps to relax the entire region around the eyes and also reduces stress and anxiety, which can lead to the formation of bags under the eyes. Sports such as jumping rope or jogging reduce water retention in the tissues. Harmful substances such as alcohol and nicotine, on the other hand, should be avoided. In particular, foods with a high salt content or fatty foods should be avoided until the bags under the eyes have receded due to their pro-inflammatory effect. If there is no improvement, a visit to the family doctor is recommended.
