Medical expert of the article
New publications
The causes of edema under the eyes
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
The attractiveness of a person is evaluated first of all by his face. But when there are swelling and blueness near the eyes, you can no longer talk about attractiveness. The causes of edema under the eyes can be different, from the most banal and easily solved factors to serious diseases requiring qualified treatment.
What do the swelling under the eyes mean?
Often this is a consequence of errors in nutrition, excessive dragging with alcohol and smoking, disruption of sleep and rest and other reasons. To overcome these factors is easy: for this it is necessary only to adhere to a healthy lifestyle and to revise one's diet. For example, if it's difficult for you to completely stop smoking, try to limit the number of smoked cigarettes to begin with on a daily basis. Do not abuse alcoholic beverages, including beer. To refuse to itself in everything and to adhere to a strict diet it is not necessary: it is possible to use simply less salt and spices (in particular chili peppers). Revise the diet should be and those who suffer from extra pounds: in addition to diet, these people need to increase physical activity.
Why do swelling appear under the eyes?
To understand the cause of puffiness, let's note some features of the structure of the zone near the eyes. After all, many are interested in the question, why does edema occur just under the eyes, and not on other areas of the face?
Near the cavity of the eye, anterior to the eye musculature are the fat layers. Their function is to protect the eyeball from damage to the bone of the skull. If a liquid is collected in adipose tissue (and fat has a good ability to retain moisture), then outwardly it manifests itself in the form of puffiness near the eyes.
If the puffiness occurs often or does not fall off at all, the fat layer under the weight of moisture can protrude into the eye cavity, which looks like all known bags under the eyes. In such cases, the skin can be irreversibly stretched, forming the non-continuous bags that exist on the person's face constantly, sometimes slightly decreasing, and in the morning increasing in size.
We list all possible causes of edema under the eyes:
- excessive use of alcohol, passion for smoking and drugs. These habits provoke fluid retention in all tissues of the body, including tissues on the face. Chronic abuse contributes to the appearance of permanent and non-persistent puffiness;
- too salty food intake. Salt retains moisture in the tissues, causing persistent edema, which is then difficult to eliminate with the help of cosmetics;
- exposure to ultraviolet light. Infatuation with sunburn, solarium leads to a conscious accumulation of liquid by the body: thus it tries to protect the tissues from dehydration caused by heat and scorching sun;
- change in the level of hormones. For example, in the female body, puffiness can be associated with the phase of the monthly cycle, with pregnancy, the use of hormonal drugs, including contraceptives;
- excessive fatigue of the body. Swelling often occurs due to fatigue in the eyes and the whole body. This occurs when an unnormal working day, with a long pastime in front of a monitor or TV, when reading books in low light conditions;
- age. Over the years, tissues lose collagen and the ability to retain moisture. Often fatty tissue in the elderly is exposed to the skin, which looks like puffiness or bags under the eyes;
- various pathological conditions, serious and not very, which are accompanied by excessive accumulation of fluid in the tissues.
The causes of swelling under the eyes in the morning
Undisputed influence on the formation of edema under the eyes in the morning has a disadvantage and poor quality of night rest. Constant lack of adequate sleep, increased fatigue at work and frequent stressful situations are one of the main factors of poor appearance in the mornings. Of course, in the modern world it is difficult to keep your psycho-emotional state in the normal state on a daily basis. However, combating depressive and stressful situations is one of the necessary measures to prevent puffiness on the face.
Schedule and regime of the day, sleep and rest will help you find time not only for work, but also for the necessary rest. And, if you, because of your professional activities, work all day at the computer, then your rest should not be in computer games and correspondence with friends in social networks. Distract from the monitor, engage in something abstract, take a walk or do a physical exercise: in this case, the best rest will be a change of occupation.
Many people, especially young people, do not go to bed before midnight. This fact also affects our appearance. Scientists have found that the most complete sleep for a person comes from 23-00, so go to bed about this time. The best duration of sleep for the body is about eight hours.
The cause of severe swelling under the eyes
Pathological causes of severe edema under the eyes are:
- kidney disease and urinary system associated with the inability to withdraw all the necessary fluid from the tissues. In such conditions, the liquid, as a rule, is delayed not only near the eyes, but also in the limbs;
- allergic manifestations (rhinitis or conjunctivitis caused by allergies);
- acute form of respiratory infections (flu, cold, SARS), provoking a moisture retention, not only on the face, but also in the nasal cavity, pharynx;
- sinusitis, inflammatory processes in the nasal sinuses;
- trauma of the frontal part of the skull or bridge of the nose;
- problems with the heart and vessels, which inhibit the withdrawal of fluid from the distal departments. This condition is accompanied by edema of the lower half of the body.
If the puffiness near the eyes is caused by diseases, then the cosmetological and symptomatic treatment gives only a temporary effect, or does not give it at all. To eliminate such pathological puffiness, the main cause of this condition should be found and cured.
Causes of edema under the left eye
- Lack of oxygen. Maybe you do not spend much time in the fresh air, do not leave the apartment for a long time and rarely open the windows. Such causes not only cause swelling of the face, but also worsen the condition of the whole organism due to oxygen starvation. Correct the situation: go out, take a walk before going to bed, or at least open the window and let in the apartment with more fresh air (especially in the evening, before going to bed).
- Perhaps you like to sleep exclusively or mainly on the left side, so the fluid in the tissues accumulates in the left half of the face. Often change the pose during sleep. Experts recommend sleeping on your back: in this position, the chances of seeing morning swelling on the face are minimal.
- Heart diseases. Make an appointment with a cardiologist, take the necessary examinations. Perhaps the puffiness of the left side of the face is only the first sign of a serious heart disease.
- Diseases of the digestive system. Often, poor digestion associated with insufficient function of the stomach or intestines can provoke swelling of the eye.
Causes of edema under the right eye
- Conjunctivitis. Usually, the disease is caused by ingestion of a viral or bacterial infection in the eye. Swelling of the eye with conjunctivitis is usually accompanied by cutting, lacrimation, photophobia, the appearance of secretions from the affected eye. In addition to bacterial etiology, conjunctivitis can be caused by an allergic reaction, but in this case both eyes are more often affected.
- Injury. Edema near the eye may appear, even if the injury has not affected the area of the face. So, puffiness on the face can be formed due to trauma of the skull, frontal region.
- A bite of an insect. Edema near the eye may appear after the bite of small insects, and this symptom does not always appear immediately after the bite. A person can forget about a bite and go to bed, and next morning wake up with swelling. Often insects bite at night, when the victim is sleeping and does not feel anything.
- Impaired current of lymph. Disorder of lymph drainage on the face is often secondary and is associated with an increase in venous pressure in patients with a deficiency of the right side of the heart or pericardial disease.
- Hypothyroidism. Edema in hypothyroidism - a small edema near the eyes, or extensive swelling throughout the body, which is associated with a breakdown of protein metabolism in the body.
Causes of red swelling under the eyes
Red swelling under the eyes is associated with increased blood flow to the capillary network on the face, on the background of swelling of the tissues. In what cases is the appearance of such a symptom:
- abuse of alcohol or drugs, especially when combined with a lack of sleep. Often such a symptom is observed in people who lead a "club" lifestyle: an abundance of nightly entertainment with a mass of alcoholic drinks drunk;
- Smoke in the eyes. If you went to nature, where you spent a long time at the fire preparing a shish kebab, and immediately went to bed on arrival, it is possible that the next morning you will be "pleased" with a red swelling near the eyes, associated with irritation of eyes with acrid smoke;
- attacks of nausea and vomiting caused by severe poisoning or indigestion. Prolonged and debilitating vomiting provokes excessive and, most importantly, a sharp rush of blood to the soft tissues of the face, which contributes to the appearance of red and swollen eyes;
- crying before bed. Crying in the pillow is one of the proven ways to "earn" red eyes and swelling the next morning. So cry only when you are sure that it will do you good;
- conjunctivitis. Inflammatory eye disease can provoke not only the appearance of edema, but also the redness of the eyes and eyelids. In such cases, you should consult an ophthalmologist.
Swelling under the eyes after botox
Swelling under the eyes after Botox does not always occur. This is possible if there is a predisposition of tissues to swelling, or there is lymphostasis of the periorbital zone.
Sometimes, swelling may be associated with an incorrect dosage of the drug administered.
With the correct procedure, the puffiness after Botox should be performed for several days. If this does not happen, it is possible that this is due to the peculiarities of the body: sometimes wrinkles are located too low near the eyes, and to eliminate them and avoid edema becomes almost impossible.
To prevent the occurrence of swelling after the procedure Botox, you must adhere to several rules:
- after the administration of the drug should be taken upright and do not change it for at least 4 hours;
- for an hour after the procedure, do not twist or wrinkle;
- for several days it is not recommended to take sunbathing, use the solarium;
- at least for 7 days you need to forget about physiotherapy, acupuncture and facial massage;
- At least a week should avoid drinking alcohol and going to a sauna or a sauna;
- it is advisable not to smoke.
Swelling under the eyes after the dysport
The first few weeks after the dysportation, there is a possibility of edema on the injection sites. In particular, it can be noticeable in the area near the eyes, where the skin is the most delicate and sensitive. What to do to resist the appearance of edema under the eyes after the disport?
Unlike botox, after the procedure it is recommended to activate face mimicry: this allows the drug to penetrate deep into the tissues of the facial area. So smile, be surprised, get angry, that is, emotions should be present (that is, on the face). True, the tension of facial muscles at first can be given with difficulty: there will be a feeling that the muscles do not obey you. Do not pay too much attention and do not worry: this will pass with time.
Do not touch unnecessarily to the injection site. It is allowed to apply ice cubes wrapped in a clean cloth: this will ease the condition after the procedure and will protect against the appearance of puffiness.
It is necessary to monitor the amount of liquid used, limiting it as much as possible.
You do not have to sit on a diet, it is true, it is advisable to ensure that food is not too salty.
Use of peeling procedures and scrubs for 2 weeks after the transfer is prohibited. You can use anti-edema and sedatives.
Under the ban thermal procedures: sauna, solarium, sauna, compresses and even washing with hot water. High temperature can not only contribute to the appearance of edema, but also speeds up the elimination of the drug, which reduces the effect of the disport to "no."
It is not advisable to visit the dentist for two weeks after the injections.
For 2-3 months, it is better to forget about sessions of muscle stimulation, massage and manual therapy. After 2 months, you can gently proceed (if necessary) to the epilator procedures.
Swelling under the eyes after mesotherapy
Mesotherapy has a lot of positive effects on the appearance of the face and other parts of the body. The procedure smooths the skin, rejuvenates it, eliminates dilated capillaries, relieves acne, etc. True, sometimes after mesotherapy there are unaesthetic swelling and bruises on the jabs.
Most often such consequences can be caused by a weak specialist qualification, incorrect choice and dose of the drug, undefined depth of injections. But still, more often, puffiness appears when the patient roughly violates the doctor's postprocedural recommendations.
After the procedure, it is advisable to apply ice cubes to the injection sites for a short time. You can drink a diuretic collection or tea (not pills).
It is recommended to lubricate the face with troxevasin, wipe with chlorhexidine.
After the procedure, you should use only proven cosmetics that have a soothing and anti-edematous effect.
At the time you need to forget about visiting the bath and pool, solarium, intensive sports and massage procedures.
Do not use make-up on the day of mesotherapy.
By the way, in order to avoid the appearance of edema after mesotherapy, the specialists recently developed a procedure for non-injection mesotherapy: the procedure is based on the effect of alternating current, which allows you to open channels for a short time to penetrate the required volume of medicinal or vitamin substances. At the next impulse, the channels are closed, and the drug remains in the cell space. Often such a procedure is carried out immediately before an important meeting or event. The effect occurs immediately and practically does not cause complications.
Swelling under the eyes for colds
Edema under the eye with colds occurs often enough and is accompanied by difficulty in nasal breathing or redness of the eyes. Catarrhal edema is nothing but a satellite of the usual inflammatory process: the common cold, sinusitis, pharyngitis.
With genyantritis, often there is edema under the eye only from the side of the lesion: in left sided sinusitis - on the left, and with right-side - on the right, respectively. Sometimes, however, there is also bilateral sinusitis: in this case, puffiness can affect both eyes.
With flu or ARVI, the development of cold conjunctivitis may occur, which is also manifested by redness and swelling of the eyes.
If a common cold is present, edema near the eyes may appear from lack of nasal breathing, as well as from insomnia and restless sleep caused by cold discomfort or nighttime fever.
To eliminate such edema, it is necessary to influence their main cause: the catarrhal and inflammatory disease should be cured. A common cold can be cured and yourself, and with flu and sinusitis you should consult an otolaryngologist.
The causes of edema under the eyes are a vast topic, as there can be many reasons. And to eliminate edema is very important to identify the cause of this condition. Carefully analyze your lifestyle, nutrition, drinking regimen, the characteristics of professional activity. Eliminate the possibility of any disease: for this it is better to go to the doctor and conduct the necessary examinations. If the body is healthy, and your habits of life, principles and nutrition are normal, edema will not become in the way of your beauty and attractiveness.