Puffy eyes are a common everyday problem that can have a variety of causes. Not every one has disease value. You can also have puffy eyes because of natural causes – for example, age or heredity.
What are puffy eyes?
The definition of puffy eyes is that edema or swelling has formed around the eyes. The definition of puffy eyes is that edema or swelling has formed around the eyes. The swelling may affect only one lid of the eye or the general area around the entire eye. Puffy eyes can be acute and chronic. Whether the swelling is normal or due to allergies or disease must be checked by a doctor. However, puffy eyes can also be caused by bags under the eyes or advanced age, in which case they have no medical value. The same applies to morning puffy eyes.
Causes
The causes of puffy eyes can be varied. Sometimes the predisposition to bags under the eyes is inherited in the family. Allergies to cosmetics more often cause puffy eyes. These are usually accompanied by redness and itching. Under certain circumstances, even the whole face can swell. It is common knowledge that people have swollen eyes after a blow to the eye. Usually the eye then turns blue and one speaks of a black eye. Morning puffy eyes can occur due to disturbed lymph flow. This has to do with lying flat in bed. However, it is also possible that certain foods eaten the night before result in puffy eyes. Alcohol, salt snacks, or a meal too high in protein can also cause puffy eyes. In women, puffy eyes can occur during menstruation or before ovulation. In addition, a house dust allergy can trigger puffy eyes. Dry heating air, pollen or comforters with feathers can also trigger puffy eyes, as can high blood pressure, kidney or thyroid disorders. Puffy eyes can often occur with a cold – especially if the sinuses are affected. In addition, puffy eyes can occur after palladium fillings or other dental problems. Computer workstations also often result in dry and puffy eyes. If you notice puffy eyes after wearing contact lenses, the eye is too dry or you can’t tolerate the lenses. Conjunctivitis, styes, eyelid rim inflammation and bacterial infections of the eye also result in puffy eyes.
Diseases with this symptom
- House dust allergy
- Common cold
- Conjunctivitis
- Eyelid rim inflammation
- Hypertension
- Stye
Diagnosis and course
Although puffy eyes initially do not have to have any disease value, in certain cases you should have them diagnostically clarified. This is especially true if one notices puffy eyes in conjunction with redness, itching or feelings of pain. If puffy eyes occur in old age, this is usually due to declining organ functions or chronic diseases. Some lead to more water in the tissues, hence edema, thick legs and puffy eyes. In case of acute swelling of the eye, the course of the disease can be easily alleviated. In case of chronic symptoms, the course depends on the underlying disease. The diagnosis of “puffy eyes” may require a visit to an ophthalmologist, internist or allergist, depending on the situation.
Complications
The term “medical complication” names a concomitant condition that occurs in the course of an aggravation of the original disease or due to another disease of another organ. Such complications may further come from preparations used because of the original disease. Puffy eyes are a symptom that occurs due to various eye diseases such as eye flu. If puffy eyes are not treated soon, a possible infection can permanently damage the eye. Puffy eyes sometimes also occur after all-nighters of drinking. Ergo, the cause of puffy eyes should definitely be pinpointed, as they can be harmless, but also dangerous. Complications of eye diseases Eye diseases should be diagnosed by a doctor as well as eye diseases themselves.Drugs can cause diseases of the eyes. Therefore, various eye diseases can also be caused by drugs. Then these are omitted or changed. Otherwise, medicines must be taken again against the side effects of the medicine. From there, the treatment of eye diseases must be conscientiously picked out, and preferably involve only one medicine. Puffy eyes can also occur in the form of allergies to a particular drug. A healthy diet and not smoking can prevent many eye diseases and their complications. Quite a few eye diseases flare up particularly in chronically ill as well as aging clients.
When to go to the doctor?
Puffy eyes can run in the family or be due to advanced age. In particular, the areas of the eyelids and the under-eye areas, which are also commonly known as bags under the eyes, tend to have water retention in the tissues due to congenital conditions or disease. Occasionally, puffy eyes can occur as a result of unfavorable habits, for example after eating certain foods or a short night’s sleep. Those who attribute their puffy eyes to such causes can probably do without a visit to the doctor. Nevertheless, to be on the safe side, it is advisable to at least ask the family doctor for his opinion on the puffy eyes at the next visit to the doctor. Causes for swollen eyes can lie directly in the eye environment. The conjunctivitis, the stye, the hailstone and a tumor are to be mentioned here. Various allergies, especially those to house dust, mites and pollen, also have a significant influence on the development of puffy eyes. Puffy eyes are also not uncommon as a side effect of colds. It is particularly important to have swollen eyes checked by a doctor for possible life-threatening diseases of the heart and kidneys. Thyroid disorders and disturbed lymph flow are also possible triggers for puffy eyes.
Treatment and therapy
Puffy eyes as a result of a cold are treated with cold remedies, a light diet, and bed rest. If puffy eyes occur with high blood pressure or as a result of kidney or thyroid disorders, causative treatment must be sought from a specialist. In the case of acute allergies, the triggering allergen must be identified. The therapy against puffy eyes then consists of omitting the trigger, and if necessary treatment with antihistamines or cortisone. Various eye drops and ointments are available from the ophthalmologist to treat puffy eyes. Cold compresses help against morning puffiness or puffy eyes after a night of drinking. Puffy eyes can also be treated with cucumber slices or tea bags that have become cold. However, this should not be done if the puffy eyes are irritated or inflamed. Anti-allergic bedding and air filters help against puffy eyes caused by bed mites, pollen or down allergies.
Outlook and prognosis
At first glance, puffy eyes are not a worrying clinical picture in which an unexpected course of the disease can occur. Many affected individuals suffer from puffy eyes especially in the morning hours. However, these disappear after several hours, when the fluid flows back again. However, if the puffy eyes are caused by an underlying disease, no prompt improvement can be expected if they are not treated. For example, if an allergy to pollen or dust mites is present, the eyes will remain permanently swollen. However, with appropriate treatment and the right medications, puffy eyes can be treated very effectively. Under certain circumstances, puffy eyes can also cause other cold symptoms. These include, for example, a severe cough, a runny nose, or even an elevated temperature. Without any treatment, the individual symptoms can also worsen significantly. For this reason, appropriate treatment by a doctor is highly advisable. A significant improvement can be expected after just a few days. Complete recovery is the rule with swollen eyes. No permanent consequential damage occurs and the permanent intake of medication can be dispensed with.
Prevention
As a preventive measure against puffy eyes, you should drink enough water so that the lymph flow is good. Salt should be used sparingly, alcohol as well. In general, a healthy lifestyle is the proven remedy for puffy eyes.
This is what you can do yourself
Various measures alleviate puffy eyes. It is important to drink enough fluids. It helps to get the lymphatic transport going and thus prevent puffy eyes. Cooling glasses or a spoon that has been stored in the freezer at night should be placed on the eye for about ten minutes early in the morning to relieve morning swelling of the eye. Freshly cut cucumber slices on the eyes have proven to be effective. They cool the eyes and moisturize the skin. Helpful against puffy eyes is often a gentle massage of the eyelids. This involves massaging the skin around the eyes with gentle circular motions and/or gently tapping from the root of the nose along the lower eyelid. Hemorrhoidal ointment can help with puffy eyes. A thin layer of the ointment is applied to the eyelids. Attention should be paid to the ingredients. Cortisone and local anesthetics are not recommended, as they numb and weaken the skin. Extracts of horse chestnut, for example, are recommended. They have a natural decongestant effect. Direct eye contact should be avoided at all costs. Eye care products with ingredients such as caffeine or green tea often help to relieve eye swelling. If a bacterial infection is the cause of the swollen eyes, contact lenses should be changed to avoid re-infection. In addition, your own hands should be kept clean.
