What can be done about swollen eyes? | The causes and treatment of swollen eyes

What can be done about swollen eyes?

If you have swollen eyes and want to be active, there are several tricks. For one thing, it is important that you drink enough. Best is to drink 2 – 3 liters a day.

This will compensate for any fluid deficiency in the body and stimulate the lymph flow. Another helpful measure can be cooling the eyes. Even a wet towel, which is placed over the eyes, can help here.

Otherwise, you can also find cooling goggles in stores that contain cool packs that can be placed in the freezer or refrigerator. To help the swelling subside, a gentle and careful massage of the eyes can also help. For example, you can massage your eyes in a circular motion with your index fingers.

It is important to note that these instructions are valid if the swelling is not dangerous for a short time. If there are illnesses, inflammations or other injuries, under no circumstances should these tips be used for symptomatic treatment. In these cases a doctor must be consulted to treat the underlying cause.

If you are unsure whether a swollen eye is harmless, then a doctor should also be consulted. As home remedies are available for the treatment of swollen eyes for example tea bags. These are poured over with hot water and then placed in the refrigerator.

After about half an hour, they can then be carefully placed on the closed eyes. Depending on the type of tea, they have an anti-inflammatory effect (black tea) and reduce swelling (eyebright). Other household remedies that are used in the context of beauty measures are cucumber slices and curd wraps. These have a cooling, anti-inflammatory and decongestant effect.

How long does it take?

How long swollen eyes last can vary greatly. If the swelling occurs due to lack of sleep, alcohol consumption or lymph congestion in the morning, the problem disappears in the course of the morning. If the swelling is caused by an allergy (e.g. pollen), then the swelling can last for weeks in the worst case.

Since one is not exposed to the allergen all the time and is usually treated with medication, the swelling ideally only occurs when one comes into contact with the allergen. If an inflammation of the eye is present, the swelling can last for several weeks if not treated properly and in the worst case cause long-term damage to the eye. If treated with medication, the swelling subsides within a few days. If kidney disease or a metabolic disorder is the cause, the swollen eye usually remains until an adequate therapy takes place.