Introduction
Swelling under the eye usually describes an accumulation of fluid in soft tissue. The swelling becomes visible either in the form of a lachrymal sac or as edema. Inflammations, injuries or allergic reactions alter the permeability of the small blood and lymph vessels under the eye. As a result, more water from the vessel enters the tissue, this accumulation of fluid is known medically as oedema.
Causes
Various causes for swollen eyes are possible. In many cases, swollen eyes are completely harmless, for example after long crying or a short night. Also an unhealthy lifestyle with excessive alcohol consumption, smoking and the consumption of highly salted food leads to waking up the next morning with swollen eyes.
Apart from this, there are also pathological causes for swollen eyes. These include allergic reactions or external irritations, for example from cigarette smoke, fine dust or chemicals. Infections caused by viruses or bacteria can also lead to swelling around the eyes.
Of course, the eye can also swell if injuries occur in the facial area (e.g. bruises or fractures). Apart from this, there are also pathological causes for swollen eyes. These include allergic reactions or external irritation, for example, from cigarette smoke, fine dust or chemicals.
Infections caused by viruses or bacteria can also lead to swelling around the eyes. Of course, the eye can also swell if injuries occur in the facial area (e.g. bruises or fractures). In very many people, swollen eyes are caused by allergies.
Triggers are in most cases pollen, dust mites or animal hair. Typically, the swollen eyes are accompanied by other symptoms such as reddened and watery eyes, itching in the eyes and nose and frequent sneezing. To find out whether an allergy is present and to what, the doctor will perform a series of different tests.
It is then best for the person concerned to try to avoid the allergen (i.e. the substance causing the allergy) as much as possible. If this is not possible, the allergy can usually be treated with medication such as cortisone-based preparations or antihistamines. Very often insect bites around the eye cause severe swelling at the bite site.
The insect venom released during the bite triggers an inflammatory reaction in the body, which makes the vessels permeable and causes fluid to accumulate in the surrounding tissue. Accompanying symptoms are redness and itching. The body reacts differently depending on which insect has stung: Mosquito bites tend to cause smaller swellings, whereas bee bites usually lead to strong reactions.
Normally an insect bite is harmless and the swelling on the eye disappears by itself after a few days. Caution is advised with allergies, however! If you have a very well known allergy, severe swelling or shortness of breath after an insect bite, you should consult a doctor immediately.
A strong allergic reaction is an absolute emergency, as there is danger to the life of the person concerned. Injuries in the area of the face can lead to swelling of the eye. Blows, falls or collisions often result in zygomatic bruises or even zygomatic fractures.
The zygomatic bone (also called cheekbone) forms the bony boundary of the lateral eye socket in the direction of the temple. External force can very quickly cause a bruise or fracture of this structure. Injuries to the zygomatic bone cause severe pain all over the face.
In addition, a bruise forms around the eye and the tissue swells strongly. Whether the zygomatic bone is only bruised or actually broken can only be determined with an X-ray examination. In case of an injury in the face and strong pain, a doctor should always be consulted.
The treatment of a bruise consists mainly of sufficient cooling to reduce the swelling. A fracture can be treated either conservatively or surgically, depending on the type of fracture. The patient is given painkillers for the pain.
