Swollen eyelids often occur with lack of sleep or grief-induced crying, but can also be caused by allergies. Prevention and treatment must be tailored to the reasons for the occurrence.
What are puffy eyelids?
Puffy eyelids often occur with lack of sleep or grief-induced crying, but can also be caused by allergies. Swollen eyelids are noticeable by reddened, slightly painful eyelids. Often, in addition to the eyelids, the bags under the eyes and the areas next to the eyes are also swollen. When touched, the affected areas often begin to burn and the swelling becomes more pronounced, depending on the amount of pressure applied. In addition, swollen eyelids can severely limit vision.
Causes
There are many causes of swollen eyelids. Triggers are usually allergies to pollen, house dust or fine dust. Cat and dog hair allergies can also be the cause of red and watery eyes. Another reason for swollen eyelids is lack of sleep. After a night with little sleep, the eye areas are not rested and accordingly irritated. Prolonged crying also causes the eyelids to swell. In addition, swelling can also occur due to isolated diseases of the eye. For example, due to a stye, a hailstone or orbital naphlegmon. In the case of the latter, it is an infection that must be treated immediately, otherwise there is a risk of blindness. Other causes of swollen eyelids can be kidney failure, heart failure, cluster headaches, thyroid disease, a tumor on the eye or a simple cold. Lastly, puffy or irritated eyelids can also be hereditary. With corresponding predispositions, large bags under the eyes and thick eyelids are inevitable.
Diseases with this symptom
- Allergy
- Hay fever
- Cluster headache
- House dust allergy
- Stye
- Heart failure
- Hail
- Orbitaphlegmone
- Kidney weakness
Diagnosis and course
Due to the variety of causes that can have swollen eyelids, the diagnosis is based primarily on the previous medical history. Usually, the diagnosis is made by the ophthalmologist, who examines the eyes and gradually rules out the diseases mentioned until the cause is found. This process is accompanied by comprehensive discussions with the patient, in which other possible causes are worked out. In addition, it must be determined whether both eyelids or only one is affected. Despite the many possible reasons, the diagnosis can usually be made relatively quickly, since most diseases can be identified directly on the eye and eyelids. For example, it is possible for an ophthalmologist to determine high blood pressure or diabetes based on the respective eye swelling as part of the diagnosis. In addition, smears of the eye secretion and, under certain circumstances, tissue samples are taken and examined microscopically. This allows malignant changes to be detected, bacterial pathogens to be determined or simple irritations to be identified. Only then is it possible to initiate the appropriate form of therapy.
Complications
Swollen eyelids or eyes can occur as a result of a wide variety of complaints, and the possible complications are correspondingly diverse. Initially, the swelling limits vision and causes pain and itching in the area of the swollen eyelids. Those affected are also extremely sensitive to light and often have the feeling of having a foreign body in their eye. Accordingly, there may be increased lacrimation and severe itching. The itching causes sufferers to rub their eyelids, thus intensifying the swelling, often accompanied by transfer of the allergens or pathogens to other organs. If the swollen eyelids are caused by a lymphatic congestion, the symptoms also intensify in the course of the disease: there is a feeling of pressure in the eye and, in some cases, the formation of a stye, i.e. a bacterial infection of the glands on the eyelid. Sleep deprivation as a cause is accompanied by fatigue and the typical symptoms, but is otherwise harmless. There are complications, on the other hand, if the swollen eyes are accompanied by inflammation of the conjunctiva.The inflammation initially causes the eyelids to swell, along with the typical feeling of having sand in the eye. In the further course, the swelling then transfers to the cornea itself, resulting in, for example, a clouding of the lens and limited vision.
When should you go to the doctor?
Puffy eyelids can be congenital or a symptom of aging. Puffy eyelids are characterized by water retention in the tissues around the eyes. Puffiness located under the eyes is also known as bags under the eyes. In most cases, puffy eyelids that run in families are not a reason to see a doctor. If you want to be on the safe side, you can of course do so or, on occasion, ask your family doctor about it as part of another examination. The situation is different, however, if someone wakes up every morning with particularly thick swollen eyelids. In this case it is absolutely necessary to see a doctor in one’s own interest. The first point of contact for clarifying swollen eyelids is the family doctor. After taking a medical history and performing a few examinations, he decides whether to continue treatment or refer the patient to a specialist: an internist, allergist or ophthalmologist. Less dangerous causes of swollen eyelids include conjunctivitis, eyelid rim inflammation, allergies to pollen, bed feathers, house dust or mites, colds or menstruation. But also certain foods consumed in the evening, such as salty snacks, protein-rich meals or alcoholic beverages, can lead to swollen eyelids the next morning. However, the cause of puffiness around the eyes can also be disturbed lymph flow, high blood pressure, kidney damage and thyroid dysfunction.
Treatment and therapy
Depending on the diagnosed cause, puffy eyes need to be treated differently. If the swelling is due to lack of sleep or crying, cooling the affected areas is usually sufficient. For this purpose, for example, a cold spoon is placed on the eye for a few minutes or cooling glasses are used. In addition, the eyes should be able to relax and should not be subjected to additional strain. Insofar as the swollen eyelids occur due to a bacterial infection, medication must be resorted to in any case. In addition, contact lenses must be changed to avoid re-infection. In general, it is important to pay attention to clean hands when there is an infection on the eyes. If a stye is the cause, antibiotic drops as well as various home remedies are used for treatment. For example, apple cider vinegar, eyebright or fennel tea. In addition, it can help to irradiate the affected areas with a red light lamp. This dries out the bacterial focus and reduces the pain. However, the above-mentioned treatment methods should always be used only after consultation with the doctor. If the swelling of the eyelids occurs due to a tumor on the eye or a thyroid disease, usually only a surgical intervention will help.
Outlook and prognosis
In most cases, the swollen eyelids occur due to stress, overwork and fatigue of the eyes. In this case, the patient should rest and especially sleep, after which the symptom usually disappears by itself. Often, flu, colds and infections are also accompanied by swollen eyelids. This is a common symptom, which also disappears with the end of the illness and does not cause any further problems. If the eyes hurt or visual disturbances occur, a doctor must be consulted. In this case, it may be an inflammation in the eye, which must be treated by a doctor in any case. The treatment is carried out with antibiotics and leads to success without complications. If the swollen eyelids appear after eating, it may be an intolerance or an allergy. The eyelids will decongest by themselves when the particular ingredient has been digested and no further problems will occur.
Prevention
Often, swollen eyelids can be prevented quite easily. Thus, it can help to drink enough, as this gets the lymphatic transport going, which prevents puffiness and red eyes. The method of placing cucumbers on the eyelids is also proven. The cooling effect and moisture prevent swelling.Furthermore, it can help to gently massage the eyelids regularly and thus stimulate blood circulation. Various care products and ointments are also suitable for prevention, as are the home remedies mentioned. However, the best means of prevention is to eliminate the causes. For example, if you suffer from a lack of sleep or often cry, you should start there. Working at the PC for long periods also dries out the eyes and sooner or later leads to swelling. Here, it can already be sufficient to relax the eyes regularly. So the options for prevention always depend on what causes puffy eyelids.
This is what you can do yourself
Whether after waking up or due to allergies, swollen eyelids are unsightly and disturb your vision. Some home remedies are suitable to alleviate the swelling. Decongestant ointments are not absolutely necessary for this. The most effective method is cooling. Gel pads or cooling pads are ideal, often a cold, damp washcloth applied for a few minutes is enough. If you don’t have any pads on hand, you can put a teaspoon briefly in the freezer and place the curved side on the eyes. Another successful variant is cold cucumber slices. Drinking plenty of fluids is generally advisable, as it promotes blood circulation, boosts metabolism and ensures the removal of stagnant lymph fluid, which causes the swelling. Gentle massages with fingertips can speed up the process. Another home remedy is black tea. For this, sufferers need to apply cotton balls soaked in cold tea and let them act for a few minutes. Coffee pods are similarly successful. Here it is the tannins contained that accelerate the metabolism and speed up the removal of lymph fluid. If an allergy such as hay fever is the trigger, the cause must be eliminated. House dust mites can also cause eye problems. It is helpful to use anti-allergic bedding and to wash it as often as possible. Sometimes hormonal changes are the reason for swollen eyelids. In that case, a visit to the doctor is necessary.
