Swelling under the eyes

A well-rested person should look fresh and energetic after a good night's sleep. But it also happens that we have rested, slept well, and are not sick, but we look the opposite - puffiness under the eyes, bags make the face look tired and exhausted. Why does this happen and is it possible to restore the beauty and freshness of the face? Let's figure it out.

Causes of puffiness under the eyes

Before talking about the causes of puffiness under the eyes, let's note some anatomical features of the structure of the periorbital area, because this structure largely determines the chances of bags appearing.

The eyeball is located in the bony cranial cavity - the orbit. In addition to the eye itself, this cavity contains muscle and nerve fibers, vessels, ligaments and fatty tissue. The fatty layer creates a kind of "cushion" for the eye, which smooths out all movements of the eyeball. The fatty tissue looks like cells with a connective tissue membrane.

Not long ago, experts were inclined to believe that "bags" under the eyes begin to form when the connective tissue membrane becomes flabby, inelastic, and loses the ability to hold the fat layer inside it. Thus, a kind of protrusion is formed, externally manifested as a "bag." Because of this interpretation of the problem, doctors often resorted to surgical intervention, suturing and fixing the connective tissue membrane.

But a few years ago, scientists reconsidered the cause of the "bags." It turned out that this problem occurs due to an increase in the volume of the fat layer in the cells. This occurs due to swelling or an increase in the number of fat cells.

It is worth noting that the “bags” under the eyes, which are caused by tissue swelling, appear in the morning and gradually disappear throughout the day.

The “bags”, the appearance of which is associated with an increase in the number of fat cells, are permanent and do not disappear either in the morning or in the evening.

Let's describe the main reasons for the appearance of puffiness under the eyes:

1. Genetic predisposition. If your relatives have the same problem – eye swelling – then most likely you also have a tendency to excessive growth of fatty tissue. Pay attention to this, especially if swelling begins to appear in childhood.
2. A common cause of swelling these days is night parties and club life. It's simple: drinking alcoholic cocktails, or worse, drugs, against the background of lack of sleep provoke swelling of the tissues around the eyes. The effect, as they say, is obvious.
3. Excess salt. If you like salty food, be prepared for the fact that you may have puffiness under your eyes. Salt retains fluid in tissues, especially in fatty tissue, hence the swelling.
4. Swelling under the eyes can be caused by poor health. In principle, a person may not feel that he is sick, but there is still an internal pathology. These can be kidney diseases, colds, sinusitis, some allergic reactions (runny nose, conjunctivitis).
5. Most women notice the appearance of "bags", for example, during menstruation. Such swelling occurs due to changes in hormone levels. After the end of the "critical days" the swelling usually goes away.
6. Another reason for the appearance of edema may be excessive tanning - both natural and in a solarium. Ultraviolet rays contribute to the retention of fluid in the tissues.
7. Eye strain can also lead to fluid buildup. This can happen when working on a computer for long periods of time or spending a lot of time in front of a television screen.
8. Another reason is improper use of cosmetics. Firstly, it is no secret that daytime cosmetics should be washed off before going to bed. Secondly, night cream should be applied at least 2 hours before bedtime, otherwise the active components of the product (especially moisturizing) will contribute to the accumulation of fluid in the most delicate tissues on the face - around the eyes.
9. A logical reason for the "bags" under the eyes is age. Over time, the connective tissue membranes weaken, the skin becomes flabby, and the fat layer begins to "sag" at the lower eyelid.

Symptoms of swelling under the eyes may appear with most diseases of the cardiovascular system (heart failure, myocardial ischemia, thrombophlebitis, pericarditis, etc.), with pathologies of the genitourinary system (nephritis, toxic infections, nephrosis, amyloidosis), with diseases of the thyroid gland, stomach, nervous system. Swelling cannot appear without reasons, it is always formed as a result of improper functioning of the internal organ system.

Swelling under the eye from a blow

Very often, swelling under the eye from a blow appears after an injury to the nasal or forehead area. One or both sides of the face may be affected.

Blue puffiness under the eyes appears after direct trauma to the facial area or a strong blow to the head. It is the result of blood accumulation in a certain area near the eye: this is accompanied by the usual traumatic swelling and darkening of the skin.

A minor hematoma usually disappears on its own, but in some cases it can cause complications.

The majority of traumatic edemas may not be directly related to damage to the periorbital area - tissues near the eye can swell and change color without eye injury. This may be due to trauma to the head and skull itself (blunt blow to the head, fall, etc.).

Severe swelling under the eye may not form immediately: at first after the injury, the swelling is insignificant, and the color is practically unchanged (there may be slight redness). After some time, the damaged area retains fluid and darkens. Depending on the nature of the injury, a simultaneous deterioration in visual abilities and difficulty blinking may be observed. As the process subsides, the hematoma will lose color and saturation, and the swelling will gradually disappear.

Symptoms of serious injury include double vision, difficulty moving the eyes, and inability to see. If a person loses consciousness, has bleeding from the nose or ears, or complains of a headache, the injury can be quite severe.

Watery puffiness under the eyes can also be caused by other reasons:

• medical procedures such as facelifts, otolaryngological procedures, and maxillofacial surgery;
• allergies;
• infection;
• dental disease;
• insect bites.

Allergic swelling under the eyes

One of the first signs of the body's reaction to an allergen is swelling of the eyelids and the area around the lips. This symptom is often combined with reddening of the skin, itching in the swollen area, and skin rashes.

Itching and swelling under the eyes occur due to the filling of the soft tissues of the face with fluid. This condition can increase over 5-35 minutes. With severe allergies and continuous exposure to the allergen, the swelling can spread further to the limbs and even the entire body.

An allergic reaction can develop in response to contact with certain foods (exotic fruits, products with dyes, etc.), chemicals (paints and varnishes, cosmetics, detergents), as well as household dust, pet hair, and plant pollen. There are also neurological forms of allergy that develop as a result of stress.

Red puffiness under the eyes can be a sign of allergic conjunctivitis – an inflammatory process in the conjunctiva of the eye. This disease can be accompanied by lacrimation and itching in the swollen areas. As a rule, allergies appear almost immediately after contact with an allergen. Often, the cause can be new cosmetics applied to the face or eyelids, or a cleanser. Sometimes, after using such a product, a person goes to bed, and in the morning sees a disappointing picture in the mirror: red eyes, puffiness, itching and burning in the eyes.

The food component of allergic conjunctivitis is rarely considered.

Allergic eye damage is usually bilateral.

Swelling under the right eye can occur if the allergen was brought directly into the eye with dirty hands. In this case, the right eye will experience itching, lacrimation, redness of the sclera, and swelling. Complex forms of allergy can be accompanied by photophobia.

If there is swelling under the left eye, then this, as a rule, indicates that the left side is affected by an allergy. Although this situation is not considered quite typical.

Sometimes a bacterial infection may join allergic conjunctivitis: with this complication, purulent discharge from the eye is added to swelling and redness.

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Puffiness under the eyes after biorevitalization

Rehabilitation after biorevitalization may not be as fast as you would like. Everything depends on the qualifications of the doctor who performs the procedure, the drug used, your individual reaction to the drug and the procedure as a whole. If you are allergic to the drug being administered, you are unlikely to look stunning the next day after the procedure. For this reason, before agreeing to biorevitalization, you should perform a test injection of the drug into the back of your hand. If there is no swelling, redness, pigmentation or itching, the drug is suitable for you and can be used on your face.

Of course, before the procedure, make sure that the specialist who will perform the injections is qualified. In order not to harm your own health, it is recommended to perform biorevitalization not in beauty salons, but in specialized clinics that have the appropriate accreditation.

If the procedure is performed correctly, the swelling should disappear the next day. In more unfortunate cases, swelling can last up to 10 days.

True, sometimes swelling occurs due to the patient's failure to follow certain rules intended for rapid rehabilitation and bringing facial skin back to normal. Such rules should be taken seriously:

• After the session, touching the skin surface with your hands is not allowed;
• you cannot use makeup for 24 hours;
• It is not recommended to use antiseptics on the face for two days;
• For 14 days you cannot sunbathe, including in a solarium, or spend time in baths, saunas, or swimming pools.

The procedure is recommended to be performed 2 weeks before a trip to the sea, or two weeks after it. Experts also do not recommend biorevitalization during menstruation, the best option is on the 7-9th day.

Cardiac puffiness under the eyes

Cardiac swelling under the eyes is a serious symptom that requires a thorough, complete examination and qualified treatment.

As a rule, cardiac edema begins in the lower extremities and lower abdomen, only in severe cases spreading to the eyelids and face. The swelling is not sharp, it increases very slowly, over a period of one month to six months. This is the main difference between cardiac edema and renal edema. Edema in kidney diseases appears quite quickly, from one to several days, and usually begins with swelling around the eyes.

Edema associated with heart disease tends to spread downwards. This means that people who suffer from heart disease on their feet often experience swelling only in their lower extremities, while patients who are in a supine position experience swelling in their lower back.

If there is no treatment and the disease progresses, the swelling begins to spread higher. At first, it occupies cavities (ascites, hydropericarditis), gradually worsening liver function, overflowing the blood-draining system and making breathing difficult. At this point, the swelling can already spread to the upper body and face.

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Constant puffiness under the eyes

The presence of constant swelling under the eyes may indicate the presence of a disease of the genitourinary, cardiovascular system, thyroid gland and some other organs and systems.

1. Glomerulonephritis is an inflammatory process in the vascular system of the kidneys, which is characterized by swelling around the eyes, pain in the lower back, high blood pressure, changes in the daily volume of urine, and high temperatures.
2. Pyelonephritis is an inflammatory process in the renal pelvis, calyces and parenchyma of the kidney. The main signs of the disease can be considered high temperature, pain in the lower back (often on one side), the appearance of turbidity in the urine. Swelling around the eyes is especially noticeable in the chronic course of the disease, both during remission and in the acute stage.
3. Sinusitis is an inflammation of the sinuses, which is characterized by high fever, headache, nasal discharge or difficulty breathing through the nose, and swelling around the eyes on one or both sides.
4. Increased activity of the thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism, diffuse toxic goiter) - accompanied by bulging eyeballs, swelling around the eyes, bags under the eyes and swelling of the eyelids.
5. Hypothyroidism (low thyroid function) is accompanied by weakness, drowsiness, slow metabolism, as a result of which fluid is retained by the tissues, which causes swelling of the face, especially in the morning.

If the swelling is constant and does not go away on its own, you may suspect the presence of some disease. It is best to see a doctor and undergo a series of examinations to determine the cause of the symptom.

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Swelling under the eyes of a child

Swelling under a child's eyes does not always indicate problems in the body.

Puffiness under the eyes of a baby can appear as a result of prolonged crying or screaming of the baby, after excessive fluid intake, or after the baby fell asleep and slept for a long time in a position in which the head was below the level of the body.

If swelling around the child's eyes is not caused by any disease, it will disappear on its own without any additional effort.

If the swelling does not go away, then you can suspect that the baby has certain diseases. In such cases, you will need to consult a doctor:

• if the swelling of the eyes is accompanied by redness, tearing, a runny nose, and the child becomes capricious - all these are possible signs of an allergic reaction. You should immediately consult a doctor;
• If eye swelling is detected against the background of hyperthermia, problems with urination, back pain, a disease of the urinary system can be suspected;
• Swelling of the eyes against the background of a bulging fontanelle and constant crying of the baby may indicate increased intracranial pressure.

Puffiness under the eyes during pregnancy

Puffiness under the eyes during pregnancy can be considered normal if it is caused by excess salt or liquid in the pregnant woman's diet. Excess liquid accumulates in the fat layer, causing puffiness under the eyes, weight gain, pastosity of the skin and other symptoms.

But often swelling around the eyes can be regarded as a sign of kidney pathology, gestosis or other diseases. How to distinguish between the norm and pathology?

• If swelling occurs in the third trimester of pregnancy, this symptom is most likely due to natural causes. In the first trimester, swelling may be a complication of pyelonephritis or dropsy.
• If swelling is accompanied by sudden and large weight gain (more than 15 kg), you should definitely consult a doctor.
• If the day before the swelling appeared, the woman drank a lot of liquid, or, for example, ate a large amount of watermelon, this is normal. If the diet did not differ from the usual, and the daily amount of liquid did not exceed one and a half to two liters, it is necessary to consult a doctor.
• Natural swelling usually goes away after you eliminate salty foods from your diet. If the swelling doesn't go away after changing your diet, tell your doctor.
• In women suffering from chronic inflammation in the kidneys, the appearance of edema may indicate an exacerbation of the pathology.

A pregnant woman should very carefully monitor her condition and, at the slightest suspicion, contact her doctor.

Puffiness under the eyes in men

Puffiness under the eyes can also bother men, especially in the morning after waking up. There can be many reasons for this, and the main one is a disorder of the natural lymph and blood flow from the eye area. To prevent such a disorder, it is necessary to avoid eating a lot of salt and drink less liquid a few hours before bed.

Some of the reasons that contribute to the appearance of swelling include bad habits, lack of physical activity and oxygen, lack of rest and chronic fatigue.

Swelling of the cheekbones under the eyes may be associated with kidney disease, which is accompanied by proteinuria. With kidney disease, a large number of sodium ions accumulate in the body, which retain fluid.

Edema in kidney diseases has a number of special characteristics. Initially, edema appears on the feet, eyelids, then spreading to the face and the whole body. Edema is accompanied by a pale complexion and dry skin. Often, edema occurs against the background of a decrease in the daily amount of urine.

The appearance of puffiness under the eyes in men requires a specialist consultation if the problem does not go away after revising the principles of nutrition and lifestyle: this is the rejection of salty foods, alcohol, smoking, adherence to a sleep and rest regime.

Types of puffiness under the eyes

The skin around the eyes is thinner and more sensitive than other areas of the skin on the face. It can instantly react to even minor changes in the regime or changes inside the body, and this is immediately marked by unattractive swelling around the eyes. We have already discussed the possible and most common causes. Now let's look at what types of swelling there are.

Puffiness under the eyes in the morning most often bothers those women who forget to remove makeup from their face before going to bed. It's trivial, but such a reason can provoke not only the appearance of puffiness, but also conjunctivitis and irritation of the mucous membrane. Don't be lazy and spend literally 5 minutes before going to bed to remove the remains of cosmetics with a special milk or hypoallergenic lotion.

Swelling under the eyes after sleep may indicate excessive fluid intake in the second half of the day. This is especially true for those who like to "drink tea" in the evening. Men who watch evening football with a few bottles of beer and salty crackers also risk waking up in the morning with swelling around the eyes. Alcoholic drinks disrupt metabolic processes in the body, and salt retains fluid. The result is fluid accumulation in the most sensitive area of the face.

Dark circles and puffiness under the eyes can occur in people who have a bad habit of rubbing and often touching the eye area. This often happens to people who do mental work, especially students and postgraduates who have to sit at the computer for a long time, even at night. The appearance of dark circles is also facilitated by prolonged reading, usually in poor lighting.

Puffiness under the eyes and dark circles can be a consequence of unstable hormone levels in the body. For example, women often develop dark circles just before their period or during their period. By the way, not only the face, but also the limbs and the whole body can swell at this time. Pregnant women may experience swelling for weeks.

Under-eye swelling and bags under the eyes can appear not only from excess, but also from lack of fluid in the body, especially in people who are actively involved in sports. The body needs to receive a certain amount of clean water every day. If there is little fluid, the body has to make reserves of water, accumulating it in tissues, and in particular, in fatty tissue. As a result, swelling appears in the form of bags under the eyes. In addition, due to lack of fluid, it becomes difficult for the body to remove toxic and harmful substances, which affects the appearance of dark circles around the eyes. To avoid all this, it is recommended to drink 1.5 to 2.5 liters of clean water daily (if there are no contraindications).

Swelling of the eyelids and under the eyes can occur due to lack of sleep or uncomfortable sleep: for example, an uncomfortable position, a room that is too hot or cold, anything that can interfere with a comfortable and full sleep. Swelling can be caused by a pillow that is too low or too hard, preventing the body from relaxing. In order to avoid swelling under the eyes, you should set aside about seven to eight hours of sleep. The bed should be comfortable, and the environment should be comfortable.

Diagnosis of swelling under the eyes

For successful treatment of puffiness under the eyes, it is first necessary to determine the cause of this condition. For this purpose, a comprehensive diagnosis is carried out using the following methods:

• monitoring blood pressure, especially during pregnancy or in cases where renal pathology is suspected. High blood pressure in a pregnant woman may indicate the development of dropsy of pregnant women or toxicosis. If high blood pressure is observed against the background of pain in the lower back, then it is possible to assume the development of an inflammatory process in the kidneys;
• taking a general blood test – carried out in order to track signs of an inflammatory process in the body;
• General urine analysis is a common diagnostic method for pathologies of the urinary system;
• ultrasound examination of the kidneys – the use of this method will allow us to determine the presence of kidney stones, as well as other changes and disorders in the renal system;
• electrocardiography and echocardiography – used when cardiovascular diseases and heart failure are suspected;
• Taking blood for thyroid hormone levels – allows you to determine thyroid dysfunction. The analysis can be done along with an ultrasound examination, which will help determine the presence of nodes and dense formations in the gland;
• X-ray - used in cases where the doctor suspects compression and blockage of the blood flow system by a tumor.

In addition to various diagnostic methods, the doctor may prescribe a consultation with other specialists: an otolaryngologist, endocrinologist, nutritionist, urologist, etc.

Based on the results obtained, further treatment tactics can be determined.

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Treatment of puffiness under the eyes

Treatment procedures for eye swelling include treatment of the disease that caused the swelling: this is therapy of the urinary system, colds, infectious and inflammatory diseases, allergic reactions, as well as normalization of nutrition and lifestyle. Such treatment will be prescribed only by a medical specialist based on the results of diagnostics.

Read also: How to remove puffiness under the eyes?

However, there are a number of general recommendations that, if followed, can help you get rid of swelling faster:

• You should avoid salt in your diet or limit its consumption to one and a half grams per day. Exclude foods that contain a lot of hidden salt (sausages, snacks, chips, croutons, smoked foods, marinades).
• Monitor the amount of liquid you drink (about 1.5 liters). It is necessary to limit drinking in the second half of the day.
• Monitor your diuresis (how often you go to the toilet, proportionate to the amount of liquid you drink).
• Diuretics (water pills) should only be used on the advice of a doctor, as they have many side effects (can cause increased fatigue, arrhythmia, convulsions and decreased blood pressure).
• Stop smoking and drinking alcohol.
• Get enough rest, sleep about 8 hours at night. Remember that swelling is caused not only by lack of sleep, but also by too much sleep.
• In the morning, after waking up, wash your face with cool water or take a contrast shower: this will speed up blood circulation, and the swelling will quickly disappear.

How to reduce puffiness under the eyes using folk methods? As a folk medicine, it is recommended to drink tea from chamomile flowers, mint, linden. To prepare such tea, take one tablespoon of raw materials per cup of hot water.

The same infusion is recommended for freezing in the form of ice cubes. It is effective to wipe the skin of the face with such a cube after sleep, it perfectly eliminates swelling.

For swollen and tired eyes, you can apply compresses of brewed black or green tea. For convenience, many people brew tea in bags, after which they apply the cooled bags to their eyes. At this time, it is better to lie down for a few minutes and relax.

Fresh cucumber can be used in a similar way: freshly cut cucumber slices are applied to swollen eyelids for 10 minutes.

If the swelling does not go away, see a doctor: the reason for the appearance of "bags" may be much more serious. With the treatment of the underlying disease, the symptoms of swelling will also disappear.

Prevention of puffiness under the eyes

What can be done to prevent swelling of the face and eyelids?

Be sure to review your nutritional principles: both your appearance and health may depend on how much and what foods you eat. Limit fatty, spicy and salty foods in your daily menu. Replace them with vegetable and fruit dishes, berries, and greens.

It is no coincidence that we pay close attention to our diet: in addition to salty foods, the appearance of swelling around the eyes is also affected by the instability of our digestion. Constipation, indigestion, eating disorders - all this is reflected in our appearance. The skin on the eyelids and around the eyes is very delicate, and therefore it reacts to any changes, including in the gastrointestinal tract. To prevent this from happening, stabilize your food intake, improve your stool, for which you should consume more natural fiber and vitamins.

Be responsible when choosing cosmetics: they should not cause allergies and should match the characteristics of your skin. Before going to bed, daytime cosmetics should be removed with cosmetic milk or makeup remover lotion. If you use a night cream, it should be applied at least 2 hours before bed, avoiding the eye area.

Rest, normalize your sleep, do not spend much time at the computer and in front of the TV. Walk more in the fresh air and do sports.

Under Eye Puffiness Prognosis

As a rule, swelling goes away quickly once the underlying disease is cured. Of course, if the necessary treatment is not provided and if the recommendations of specialists are not followed, swelling can persist for quite a long time.

If puffiness under the eyes is age-related, doctors recommend consulting a cosmetologist: relatively long-lasting results can be achieved using professional masks and drainage massage of the facial area.

A longer lasting effect in case of hereditary or age-related edema can be achieved with the help of blepharoplasty – plastic surgery to remove excess fat tissue around the eyes. Such an operation can be a real salvation for persistent bags under the eyes: the result of blepharoplasty can last for decades.

Puffiness under the eyes cannot be masked with makeup or covered with clothes. This problem can truly cause many unpleasant moments. Puffiness can ruin even a perfectly beautiful face with flawless clean skin. Pay attention to your health, because all our mistakes in nutrition and lifestyle can be reflected on our face, if not now, then in the future.