Swelling under the eyes like. Puffiness under the eyes: how to find out the cause

The attractiveness of any woman is often determined by the expressiveness of the eyes, and when problems appear around the eyes, it causes disappointment and anxiety.

As a rule, swelling under the eyes occurs due to the accumulation of a large amount of fluid in the interstitial space. Moreover, either both eyelids or only one of them can swell.

Often the reasons for the appearance of swelling are very banal - you drank a lot of liquid at night or shed a lot of tears. However, in some cases, swelling can be a very telling sign of certain diseases. We will talk more about this symptom today.

Causes of swelling under the eyes

If you are concerned about puffiness under your eyes, the causes of the problem should be determined. The condition of a person's eyes is an important indicator of the health of internal organs. Sometimes, in cases of fatigue and severe overexertion, the causes of bags under the eyes are obvious. With some effort, you can easily get rid of them.

But it often happens that swelling under the eyes, the causes of which cannot be identified immediately, haunts a person for many years, preventing him from looking cheerful and healthy.

So, we list the main reasons for swelling under the eyes:

1. Fluid retention. If swelling appears only sometimes, in the morning, then, as a rule, the reason is that the body does not have time to get rid of water. And since the skin around the eyes is the most sensitive indicator of the presence of fluid, swelling is most noticeable in this area. Why is this fluid retained in the body? The reason for this may be excessive consumption of drinks, alcohol, salty and spicy foods during the day. Salt has the ability to retain water and, as a result, swelling appears. Therefore, try to avoid such foods at night. Coffee, which has a diuretic effect, should not be consumed in the evening.
2. Chronic fatigue, nervousness, constant lack of sleep. The state of the nervous system is also an indicator of appearance. A woman who sleeps 2-3 hours a day cannot look good. It is advisable to go to bed before midnight to get a good night's sleep.
3. Intense exposure to ultraviolet rays on the skin. In this case, a protective reaction is activated, which leads to the accumulation of additional fluid in the skin.
4. Severe eye strain. Most often it occurs as a result of prolonged work at the computer or watching TV for a long time.
5. Age . Over the years, tissues lose collagen and the ability to retain moisture. Often, fatty tissue in older people protrudes under the skin, which looks like puffiness or bags under the eyes;
6. Hormonal changes in the body in women. Often bags under the eyes appear at the end of the menstrual cycle and in late pregnancy.
7. Age or the natural process of thinning skin, loss of its elasticity.
8. Heredity. The tendency to edema is very often inherited.

Pathological causes of severe swelling under the eyes are:

1. Diseases of the kidneys and urinary system associated with the inability to remove all the necessary fluid from the tissues. In such conditions, fluid tends to be retained not only near the eyes, but also in the limbs.
2. Allergic reaction. Swelling can occur on only one side of the face and develop almost instantly, but also go away just as quickly. In some cases, no specific treatment is required; it will be enough to simply remove the allergen, and the condition will quickly return to normal. Such reactions may be accompanied by a strong feeling of itching or burning, or a feeling that sand has been poured into the eyes.
3. Diseases of the nervous system and skin. Often these areas of the body are interconnected. In particular, eczema or dermatitis often occurs against a background of deep nervous shock. In these pathologies, fluid accumulates in the cells of the epidermis, is poorly excreted and manifests itself as swelling, including in the eye area.
4. Problems with the heart and blood vessels, which inhibit the removal of fluid from the distal sections. This condition is accompanied by swelling of the lower half of the body.
5. Thyroid dysfunction. This leads to changes in hormonal levels in the body and is often accompanied by the appearance of sagging tissue under the eyes.
6. Blepharitis is a condition that causes inflammation of the eyelids. In addition to swelling, there may also be burning, itching, lacrimation and a feeling of a foreign body in the eye.
7. is a highly contagious infection of a viral or bacterial nature. It can be caused by allergens, contact lenses, and dust.
8. Inflammatory processes. They are very easy to distinguish by appearance - the skin becomes swollen, hotter and redder, and pain is felt upon palpation. Such symptoms may indicate furunculosis, a severe runny nose, as well as meningitis or. Sometimes swelling of the eyelid can even develop due to an inflamed tooth.

A woman who wants to get rid of puffiness under the eyes should understand that when puffiness around the eyes is caused by certain diseases, then cosmetic and symptomatic treatment gives only a temporary effect or does not give it at all. To eliminate such pathological swelling, the underlying cause of this condition must be found and treated.

Bags and swelling under the eyes: photo

We offer detailed before and after photos to see what bags and puffiness under the eyes look like in women.

Treatment and diagnosis

Before a specialist prescribes treatment for swelling under the eyes, the patient must take tests (urine, blood), undergo additional examination:

• blood pressure measurement.
• X-ray of the chest and skull.
• clinical and .
• , as well as urine according to Nechiporenko and Zimnitsky.
• Ultrasound examination of the heart and thyroid gland.
• Ultrasound of the kidneys and other organs of the abdominal cavity and pelvis.
• computed tomography of the brain and internal organs.
• Magnetic resonance imaging.
• electrocardiography.

Further in-depth studies are prescribed in accordance with the expected diagnosis.

How to quickly remove puffiness under the eyes at home

At home, the following 3 procedures in sequence will help quickly remove bags under the eyes and relieve swelling of the face:

1. Contrast wash. If you see swelling on your face in the morning, immediately start washing your face alternately with hot and cold water. This will increase blood circulation, lymph circulation, fill the face with energy, swelling and congestion in the facial tissues will disappear.
2. Cool compress on the eyes. How to prepare compresses for bags under the eyes is described below. If you don’t have enough time in the morning, then massage your eyelids with ice cubes.
3. Light massage of the face and eyelid area: tap your fingertips on the eye area, pat your face (cheeks, forehead, chin) with your palms.

Today there are many products that help topically relieve swelling and circles under the eyes. But they should be used only after it has been determined whether there is any disease that causes the swelling. Otherwise, the effect of cosmetics and folk remedies will be minimal, because the underlying disease will again form bags under the eyes.

Ointment for puffy eyes

When choosing an eye ointment that will help eliminate swelling, you need to pay attention to the composition. A high-quality cream will contain the following components:

1. To quickly achieve the effect they help ointments containing caffeine– Green Coffee, Bark, Garnier Caffeine Roller Gel for the skin around the eyes.
2. For periodic swelling, products with horse chestnut, hyaluronic acid, collagen and elastane– eye cream (against puffiness and bags under the eyes) Green Pharmacy, Delicate Soufflé, Belita-Vitex Lift Intense roller lifting gel for eyelids.
3. To eliminate dark circles under the eyes, you should choose products with vitamin K and special whitening pigments– JANSSEN, Eye Cream with Vit. K & Matrixyl by New Youth.

In addition to cosmetic ointments, there are many ways to quickly reduce or even get rid of puffiness under the eyes at home; we’ll look at the most effective ones below.

How to get rid of bags and puffiness under the eyes?

You can successfully fight bags and swelling, especially if they are not a symptom of any disease, at home. You don't need to spend too much time, energy or money to do this. And most of the methods are easy and accessible to use.

1. Good for removing bags under the eyes compresses with tea (black or green), which contains tannins and caffeine. Tannins (tannins) reduce swelling, as they have an astringent effect on the skin, and caffeine, by constricting blood vessels, reduces swelling. Separately, it is worth saying a few words about chamomile tea. With its natural anti-inflammatory effect, it soothes skin and irritation around the eyes, thereby relieving redness and puffiness. You can treat bags under the eyes with tea by using cotton pads soaked in tea or tea bags themselves, and applying them to your eyes for 15–20 minutes.
2. Massage is an effective way to combat bags under the eyes. Every day for 4 minutes, massage the area around the eyes with light massive or point movements using your fingertips. Movements should be made in both directions, since the lymph located in the area of ​​edema has access to the temporal nodes and nodes near the bridge of the nose. This massage will help speed up the flow of lymph and relieve you of bags in the eye area.
3. Can be mixed parsley with sour cream, 2 tsp sour cream and 1 tsp. finely chopped parsley. The mixture is applied for half an hour, then washed off with warm water. Then the cream is applied.
4. Squeeze the juice out fresh herbs lemon balm(about 2 tablespoons needed). Moisten two pieces of bread crumb with juice and apply them to the area of ​​swelling under the eyes. Keep the mask on for up to 20 minutes, then rinse it off with cool water.
5. For a compress, take two tablespoons chopped parsley. Crush the greens with a fork to release the juice, then place them on two small damp gauze wipes and apply them to the area under the eyes (parsley to the skin). Keep the compress for 8-10 minutes.

After trying several options, you can choose the optimal solution for you, taking into account the individual characteristics of your body, lifestyle and availability of free time.

Prevention

Finally, to avoid swelling, you can simply follow simple rules:

1. Do not overeat salt in any form. This also includes other spices and seasonings.
2. Do not drink strong tea at night.
3. Don't overdo it with moisturizer.
4. Do not drink alcohol at all.

By following these simple rules, you will ensure not only a beautiful face, but also good health for many years.

The symptoms of any disease are unpleasant due to their presence, but when the signs of pathology negatively affect a person’s appearance, this is doubly sad. For example, having discovered puffiness under the eyes, any person will think about the question: is this a sign of a disease, and if so, what kind? If not, how can this aesthetic defect be eliminated?

What is edema

Edema is considered to be a local accumulation of fluid in a certain area of ​​the body. The reasons can be completely varied, since the human body consists of just over 60 percent fluid, but the vast majority of this fluid is located in the intracellular space. And the “free” fluid circulates throughout the body, evenly distributed in the lymphatic tissue.

When swelling appears under the influence of an external or internal factor, it means that the uniform distribution of fluid in the body is impaired. But the reason for this is not always somatic pathology. There are natural causes of edema that do not pose any danger to the human body, but require cosmetic treatment.

Non-pathological edema

As a rule, swelling under the eyes, the cause of which is not a somatic pathology, never accompanies a person for a long time. It occurs under the influence of a provoking factor, which will be discussed below, and quickly disappears after the “culprit” of the swelling is eliminated.

Genetic features

Pasty eyelids are often a feature of the human face. The muscles in the area under the eyes are not very elastic, soft fatty tissues are prone to ptosis, and the proximity of blood vessels affects the structure of the eyelid. Thus, a person develops genetic edema. It is important to note that genetic characteristics rarely translate into severe swelling; usually we are talking about the effect of “tear-stained eyes”, which may not look like a flaw, but like some kind of highlight of appearance.

Important! Genetic swelling under the eyes may also have a somatic cause.

For example, if one of the parents suffers from kidney disease, the child may also inherit this disease. In this case, although edema will be considered a genetic feature, it will primarily be a symptom of the disease, that is, it will not be classified as non-pathological.

Age

Considering the specific structure of the tissues under the eyes, it can be assumed that as a person ages and the tissues of his face become ptosis, the effect of puffiness will appear. In addition, it is important to slow down the metabolism in the tissues, so free fluid in the tissues needs mechanical action for uniform distribution - massage.

But, as is the case with the genetic structure of the face, it is important to distinguish the puffiness of the eyes associated with aging from the pastiness of the eyelids associated with diseases acquired with age.

Pregnancy

Swelling during pregnancy is not uncommon, and its location can change constantly. But it is important to note that swelling under the eyes during pregnancy is not a sign of pathology only if it does not last long, disappearing on its own after 1-3 days.

Swelling during pregnancy

Nutritional Features

Swelling under the eyes can appear after heavy consumption of sodium, that is, table salt, which tends to retain fluid in the body. Just like salt, alcohol can affect the body.

It is important to note that swelling in the eyelids, which occurs as a result of eating or drinking alcoholic beverages, can only appear in a healthy person after a very large amount of sodium or alcohol. If puffiness under the eyes appears after eating a pickled cucumber or a glass of wine, there is definitely a somatic pathology.

Tears

After watery eyes caused by emotional distress or exposure to an irritating substance on the mucous membrane of the eyelids, the eyelids often become swollen.

The chemical composition of tears has a slight irritant effect on the mucous membrane, so the tissues turn red and swell. The body reacts to the process as to inflammation, provoking an increase in the amount of free fluid around the affected area, and swelling is formed.

Puffiness under the eyes caused by watery eyes goes away within a few hours.

Thus, the non-pathological formation of swelling under the eyelids is characterized by the following factors:

• occurs under the influence of specific factors that are not diseases;
• go away quickly on their own.

Pathological edema

If swelling under the eyes occurs regularly, and not a single sign from the above-described list of factors of non-pathological origin of edema is detected, then there is a reason to check whether there is a physical pathology.

Inflammatory processes

Inflammation of the tissues located in the eye area leads to swelling. This is a normal process associated with the work of the immune system to remove the cause of inflammation. The swelling will persist until the inflammation is cured. Such diseases include conjunctivitis, uveitis, and keratitis.

Endocrine pathologies

Diseases of the thyroid gland, especially those associated with a decrease in its hormone production functions, are often accompanied by an increase in intercellular fluid and the volume of lymphatic tissue. With hypothyroidism, swelling is distributed over the entire surface of the body, but in some areas it is especially noticeable, for example, in the eyelid area.

Among endocrine pathologies, Cushing's syndrome can be distinguished, when swelling accumulates exclusively in the facial area, including under the eyes.

Cushing's syndrome and hypothyroidism

Kidney diseases

Kidney diseases, especially chronic ones, are the most common cause of swelling under the eyes. The kidneys are responsible for excreting “excess” fluid from the body, so if their function - the filtration ability of the blood - decreases, the fluid accumulates and manifests itself in the form of edema.

This often occurs in diseases such as pyelonephritis, glomerulonephritis, and renal failure of unspecified origin. Even at the latent stage of these diseases, the pastiness of the eyelids is one of the obvious symptoms of the disease, which makes it possible to diagnose the pathology at an early stage and, probably, cure it.

Glomerulonephritis is accompanied by the loss of protein in the urine, and most of this protein consists of albumin. Gradually, the decrease in albumin in the blood becomes chronic, and if a person does not replenish albumin from the outside, he develops edema, which is very difficult to eliminate, even with the help of diuretics or lymphatic massage.

Inflammation of the lacrimal gland

This pathology is less common than the other listed causes, but if it occurs, swelling in the lower eyelids will be very strong.

The pathology is that the lacrimal gland becomes inflamed under the influence of a bacterial or viral pathogen, and fluid begins to accumulate in it. In addition to swelling under the eyes, inflammation is also accompanied by severe discomfort and pain.

Allergic reactions

If pastiness appears and disappears suddenly, you can track whether there are certain factors that cause its appearance. Very often an allergic reaction can occur, for example, to face cream or decorative cosmetics, dust, or animal hair. In order to check your guess, you can temporarily change the brand of cosmetics and refuse close contact with animals.

Important! Usually, swelling in the eyes due to allergies is accompanied by tearfulness, sneezing, and a sore throat.

Is swelling dangerous?

Puffiness under the eyes does not pose any danger to a person and his vision, but it can signal serious somatic pathologies, which, in turn, can be dangerous.

Edema is also a serious aesthetic defect that does not benefit a person’s attractiveness.

Diagnostic methods

If swelling occurs frequently, you need to consult a doctor for diagnosis and identification of the causes of swelling. To do this, you need to go to the clinic to see a therapist and get referrals for examinations from him.

1. A general (clinical) blood test is carried out to identify the presence of inflammation in the body. They will be indicated by an increase in ESR above 10 mm for men and 15 mm for women, as well as an increase in the number of leukocytes - cells with which the immune system fights the culprit of inflammation.

Also in the clinical analysis, the leukocyte formula is considered, which can be used to determine the activity of the immune system directed against the allergen, and not the virus or bacteria. In this case, it will be clear that swelling under the eyes has formed due to an allergic reaction.

1. Biochemical blood test - if edema is present, the doctor will consider the results of this analysis of kidney function indicators - the level of urea, uric acid, creatinine. Great importance is given to the amount of total protein in the blood serum; if this indicator is low, it is necessary to conduct a clarifying analysis of the amount of albumin, a low level of which is the cause of edema.
2. A complete urinalysis is also performed to evaluate kidney function. The presence of protein in the urine, changes in urine density, or traces of blood cells in the urine indicate problems in the urinary system that can cause swelling of the eyelids. If deviations were detected in the analysis, the doctor prescribes additional ones: Zimnitsky test, Rehberg test.
3. Test to determine the amount of thyroid hormones to detect hypothyroidism.
4. Ultrasound examination of the kidneys and thyroid gland for visualization of organs. Thus, pyelonephritis, diffuse thyroiditis, changes in kidney tissue, for example, replacement of glomeruli with replacement tissue during autoimmune processes or injuries, urolithiasis, hydronephrosis, can be diagnosed.

How to quickly get rid of swelling?

There are methods that give quick but short-lived results. They can be used if necessary, while the main treatment method has not yet given a lasting therapeutic result.

All these methods are united by one principle: applying cold objects to the orbital region, which can be:

• metal spoons, which must first be kept in the freezer for 10-15 minutes;
• cooled tea bags after brewing;
• slices of cucumber or raw potatoes;
• cotton pads soaked in kefir or milk.

And finally, if swelling under the eyes cannot be cured by eliminating the root cause, or get rid of them with the help of modern cosmetology, you can try to learn how to mask the deficiency with the help of decorative cosmetics. Modern cosmetics, coupled with special skills, can hide any, even the most pronounced, flaw in a minute.

Traditional treatment

Treatment of swelling under the eyes is carried out by treating the underlying disease. Usually, with successful therapy, swelling disappears on its own. In addition, while drawing up a basic treatment plan, the doctor usually adds drugs for symptomatic therapy. In this case, these will be diuretics that will help remove excess intercellular fluid from the body.

For any disease accompanied by swelling, the patient is prescribed a special diet, in which the amount of salt is reduced to a dose of no more than 5 grams per day. Depending on diuresis, limiting fluid intake to one and a half liters may be indicated, which will include consumed fruits, vegetables, and soups.

Universal remedies to combat swelling

Swelling is always a consequence of an excess amount of subcutaneous fluid, so any treatment methods are based on ensuring that this fluid does not accumulate there, or quickly disappears due to the activity of the lymphatic system.

To fulfill the first condition, it is important to control the amount of liquid consumed (including fruits, vegetables, soups) and salt.

For the second condition, it is necessary to help the body get rid of excess moisture accumulation in the eye area using methods such as massage, cooling masks, hardware or injection cosmetology.

True, such measures produce a temporary effect. A permanent result is possible only if the cause of the swelling is identified and eliminated.

Therapy of edema during inflammatory processes

Inflammatory processes in the eye area always cause swelling - thus the human immune system tries to eliminate the culprit of inflammation and has a healing effect on the tissue.

Swelling of the eyes due to inflammation can be considered using the example of the most common pathology - conjunctivitis. Although, of course, there are several dozen more diseases, the symptoms of which affect the mucous membrane of the eyes and provoke an inflammatory process.

The mechanism for the appearance of eye conjunctivitis looks something like this: against the background of a decrease in general or local immunity, pathogenic microorganisms penetrate the body, which become provocateurs of inflammation.

Therefore, proper treatment should look like this:

• eliminating the severity of symptoms;
• direct treatment;
• increasing local and general immunity.

Symptoms of inflammation of eye tissue usually include swelling, redness, and mild itching. With a long course of the pathology, an increase in temperature is possible. Therefore, symptomatic treatment includes taking anti-inflammatory and antipyretic drugs (acetylsalicylic acid, Paracetamol), and the use of cooling compresses.

The use of eye drops with moisturizing properties is also recommended: they relieve redness and reduce itching, eliminate swelling of the eyelids:

• "Vizin";
• "Ophtolic";
• "Oxycal".

Important! One of the main techniques for reducing the severity of unwanted symptoms is to avoid using decorative cosmetics during eyelid swelling and wearing high-filter sunglasses.

Even an ordinary heating pad with ice, wrapped in a towel, can act as a compress; it must be applied to the eyelids for 3-4 minutes with a break of 10 minutes. Breaks are necessary in order not to chill the facial nerve.

Direct treatment is the use of medications that relieve inflammation. In order to select a drug, you need to know exactly what is causing the pathology: infection, bacteria, microtrauma.

All groups of drugs that relieve inflammation from the eyes, and, accordingly, relieve swelling, can be divided into several categories:

• antibiotics - used only for proven bacterial infection after appropriate prescription by a doctor (“Levomycetin”, “Gentamicin”).
• eye drops with an antibacterial synthetic composition (sulfonamides);
• antiseptics for treating eyelids (“Okomistin”);
• antiviral ophthalmic agents (Ophthalmoferon, Aktipol).

The duration and order of use of drugs is determined by the doctor, based on what caused the swelling under the eyes and how the patient responds to treatment. On average, swelling due to inflammatory processes in the tissues of the eyelids becomes less pronounced within a couple of days after the start of properly selected treatment, and completely disappears after 7-10 days.

The final stage of treatment of inflammatory processes in the orbital region is to increase local and general immunity. In order to strengthen general immunity, you need to get rid of sources of chronic infection (caries, tonsillitis, sinusitis), eat a balanced diet, and maintain a sleep-wake schedule. On the street it is better to wear sunglasses, and replace decorative cosmetics with new ones, preferably hypoallergenic, and also change brushes and sponges for eye makeup.

To consolidate the results of treatment, to prevent inflammation, and, consequently, swelling, the following drops can be used after the symptoms disappear:

• "Zorro";
• "Vizomax";
• "Ophthalmologist."

They have an immunomodulatory effect on the eyes, protecting against relapse of somatic pathology.

Therapy of edema in nephrological diseases

Diseased kidneys are a catalyst for swelling throughout the body, but pastiness of the face, and mainly the eyelids, is often the first symptom of problems in the urinary system.

In this case, it is important to consider two reasons for fluid retention in the body: decreased kidney function or the appearance of hypoproteinemic edema.

A decrease in renal function is a decrease in the glomerular filtration rate below 80 ml/min. That is, it is difficult for the organs to cope with the usual volume of blood, so some of the liquid is not excreted along with the urine, but enters back into the bloodstream, forming edema.

Treatment should be carried out only by a doctor: a nephrologist or urologist, depending on what pathology is diagnosed. In case of end-stage renal failure, treatment is no longer carried out, but hemodialysis is performed: filtering a person’s blood through a special device, which is popularly called an “artificial kidney”.

In the event that the kidneys are working, but are not functioning well, in order to reduce swelling, it is recommended to adhere to the recommendations described below:

Careful control over diuresis, that is, recording the fluid consumed and excreted. At the same time, the total amount of liquid drunk, including soups, fresh vegetables and fruits, droppers, should not exceed 1.5, and sometimes 1.2 liters.

Diuretics can be used to increase urination. If the problem is not severe, it is better to resort to herbal remedies, for example, Brusniver. But for noticeable swelling on the eyelids, it is better to use medications:

• "Veroshpiron";
• "Indap";
• "Trigrim";
• "Lasix";
• "Arifon".

Also, to facilitate kidney function, the use of vasodilators and antihypertensive drugs is recommended. It is better to use drugs to lower blood pressure (Zakardis, Lorista) constantly, choosing a comfortable dosage together with your doctor, and drugs to dilate blood vessels are best administered by drip, in a course, in a hospital setting.

If difficulty urinating due to narrowing of the ureters or blockage of the urinary tract, surgical treatment is necessary. After diuresis is restored, swelling in the eyelids will disappear.

Hypoproteinemic edema appears when the level of albumin in the blood decreases. This occurs against the background of damage to the kidney membrane when protein enters the urine. With prolonged and persistent proteinuria, the resulting edema is difficult to treat and requires regular administration of an albumin solution intravenously.

Therapy of edema in endocrine pathologies

A decrease in thyroid function is very often accompanied by swelling localized in the facial area. In some cases, swelling is invisible due to the specific structure of the face and eye shape, in other cases it immediately indicates pathology and requires correction.

The best way to get rid of edema caused by low thyroid function is to use the method of replacement therapy, when thyroid hormone is taken every day in the form of a tablet (L-thyroxine, Eutirox).

Therapy for swelling due to allergies

Swelling during allergic reactions is one of the first markers of pathology. In order for the eyes to become open again, it is necessary to use products for both internal and external use.

Antihistamines in the form of tablets and capsules can be selected from the following list:

• "Suprastin";
• "Tavegil";
• "Loratadine";
• "Claritin";
• "Rupafin."

Eye drops can be used to reduce the severity of an allergic reaction, and, as a result, swelling:

• "Vizin";
• "Okumetil";
• "Cromohexal";
• "Allergodil."

These medications should only be taken after consulting a doctor. The effectiveness of medications will be higher if the allergist identifies the reason why the activity of the immune system increases above normal and advises what measures to take to avoid contact with the culprits of the disease.

Other treatments

If the pastiness of the eyelids is not a consequence of any disease, you can turn to the services of cosmetologists who eliminate excess fluid in the lower eyelids using hardware or injection cosmetology.

Relevant! As a last resort, you can resort to the help of a plastic surgeon who will perform an operation - blepharoplasty, eliminating the pathological structure of the lower eyelid.

Traditional medicine against swelling of the eyelids recommends using eye lotions made from chilled decoctions of herbs with anti-inflammatory effects - chamomile, oak bark, even regular black tea. The product should be used regularly before bed, and you should sleep on a high pillow.

Swelling under the eyes (“bags”)– swelling of the skin of the lower eyelid on the right or left eye (usually both). Regardless of the cause of its appearance, swelling under the eyes requires timely diagnosis and treatment because in some cases they are a symptom of diseases in the body.

Cosmetic causes of puffy eyes

Puffiness under the eyes can be cosmetic or medical in nature. Let's look at the most common reasons first.

• Fluid retention in the skin of the eyelids. For this reason, swelling most often appears in the morning and disappears after a few hours or in the evening.
  • Irritation of the mucous membrane of the eye by caustic substances (smoke or saline solution, for example), entry of a foreign body.
  • Improper skin care in the eye area (creams, foundation and makeup cause irritation).
  • Heavy eye strain (computer, driving).
• Injuries to the forehead and bridge of the nose. For example, during impacts, as a result of which blood begins to accumulate in the skin of the eyelids. Often accompanied by a red swelling.
  • Insect bites such as wasps and bees. Redness and swelling appear, which goes away on its own after some time.
  • Overstretching of the skin of the eyelids and loss of its elasticity (frequent rubbing of the eyes, improper application of cosmetics)
• Enlargement (edema) of adipose tissue in the eyelid area.
  • Swelling of fatty tissue occurs due to consumption of salty or spicy foods at night, as well as large amounts of water, coffee, alcohol or other drinks before bed.
  • Heredity. Puffiness under the eyes in early childhood or adolescence indicates a genetic predisposition to the growth of fatty tissue.
  • Chronic lack of sleep, sleepless nights.
  • Tears, hysterics before bed, which will lead to large swelling in the morning.
  • Increase in periorbital fat with age.
  • Natural aging processes. With age, the skin of the eyes becomes thinner and loses elasticity.

Other causes of bags under the eyes

When puffiness under the eyes is a disease

Swelling under the eyes may indicate the presence of serious diseases and require appropriate diagnosis and medical treatment:

• Inflammatory kidney diseases. The disease is also indicated by lower back pain, fever, general weakness and lethargy, and change in the color of urine. Kidney diseases are most often complications of cystitis, sore throat and other colds. The development of edema is also affected by the release of albumin (a protein) in the urine, which retains water in the human blood and is not excreted in the urine during normal kidney function. For diagnosis, it is necessary to take a general blood test, conduct an ultrasound examination of the kidneys, and monitor blood pressure.
• Conjunctivitis(allergic, infectious or chemical). The main symptoms are also: severe itching in the eye area, redness. The disease is provoked by allergens (plant pollen, animal dander), chemicals (contained in the air, in cosmetics), bacteria (they get into the eyes through contact with dirty hands or other objects). To make a diagnosis, it is necessary to undergo an examination by an ophthalmologist.
• Quincke's edema. This is a reaction to an allergen (for example, a wasp or bee sting) that develops quickly and threatens human life. Signs include swelling in the face, neck, breathing problems, and dry cough. In this case, it is necessary to urgently call an ambulance, because the swelling can block the access of air to the lungs and the person will suffocate.
• ARVI, flu. The patient also develops a sore throat, cough, fever, runny nose, and conjunctivitis. For diagnosis, you need to see a therapist.
• Inflammatory diseases of the paranasal sinuses(for example, sinusitis or frontal sinusitis). In this case, unilateral swelling develops under the right or left eye. The disease is indicated by severe pain in the paranasal sinuses, runny nose, fever and headaches. To make a diagnosis, you need to take a clinical blood test, take an x-ray, and undergo an examination by an ENT doctor.
• Hypothyroidism(insufficient production of thyroid hormones). Swelling can be not only under the eyes, but also on the arms, legs, face, metabolism slows down, which leads to obesity, decreased heart rate, dry skin, baldness, and slow speech. The diagnosis can be made through laboratory testing, which establishes the level of hormones in the blood; consultation with an endocrinologist is also required.
• Heart diseases. A person feels pain in the left side of the chest, shortness of breath during physical exertion. Swelling of internal organs and subcutaneous tissue can be fatal. For diagnosis, you need to conduct an ultrasound examination of the heart, do an electrocardiogram, monitor blood pressure and the amount of lipids in the blood.
• Constipation.
• Allergic reactions. Allergies can be triggered by food, feather pillows, cosmetics with harmful ingredients, and household dust. Typically, an allergic reaction is accompanied by itching and pain in the eyes, sneezing, watery eyes, and mucous discharge from the nose.

Other Features

• Puffiness under the eyes in the evening may indicate heart disease (cardiac edema). Often combined with swelling in the legs
• Swelling under the eyes in the morning indicates kidney disease, which does not have time to remove water and salts.
• Swelling under the left eye can be a symptom of a herniated disc and a pinched nerve on the left. If the pinching is on the right, then there is swelling in the right eye.
• The administration of Botox can disrupt the outflow of venous blood and lymph.

For diagnosis, first contact therapist, which will determine whether there are diseases of the internal organs. Get tested in advance:

• blood chemistry,
• general urine analysis,
• cardiogram,
• general blood analysis,
• fluorographic examination.

After the therapist, you can go to an allergist, ophthalmologist, dentist, ENT doctor and neurologist.

Treatment of puffiness under the eyes

Depending on the cause, treatment tactics are chosen. It is important to understand that if swelling is associated with diseases, then it is necessary to eliminate the problem, otherwise all efforts will be in vain. We recommend visiting a doctor and not treating yourself.

To treat edema that is not a symptom of the disease, you just need to change your habits and behavior:

• Your workplace and room should be well lit.
• Take breaks when working at the computer, drawing, or handicrafts every 1-2 hours. Do the following exercises:
  • Close your eyes for 5 seconds and then open them wide (5 times).
  • Look at the tip of your nose (5 seconds), and then blink quickly for 10 seconds (5 times).
  • Rotate your eyes clockwise and counterclockwise at a slow pace for 15 seconds (3-5 times).
  • Close your eyes and slowly look left, right, down, up (30-40 seconds).
• Always wash off decorative cosmetics with special cosmetics before going to bed.
• Never rub your eyes. This does not mean that you should not touch your eyelids at all. Everything (including removing makeup) must be done carefully, trying not to stretch the skin.
• Normalize your diet
  • Drink at least 1.5-2 liters of clean water per day until 18.00.
  • Do not abuse alcoholic beverages, coffee, tea, especially at night.
  • Minimize the consumption of salty, fatty, fried, high-calorie, spicy foods, especially after 20.00.
  • Eat more fresh vegetables and fruits.
  • In spring and autumn, take vitamin and mineral complexes.
• In the evenings, do not drink a lot of water and alcoholic beverages, do not eat salty foods (salt retains water in the body),
• Join a gym. To maintain good shape, it is enough to train 2-3 times a week.
• You can try hyaluronic acid injections to help eliminate stubborn eyelid swelling.
• You need to sleep at least 8 hours a day, preferably going to bed at 10-11 pm. Choose a good pillow for sleeping.

The best advice on how to remove puffiness under the eyes is to have a good rest, get enough sleep, choose the right cosmetics and improve your drinking regime. Give up alcohol and play sports. Finally, visit a cosmetologist.

How to choose creams and masks

When choosing an eye cream that will help eliminate swelling, you need to pay attention to the composition. A high-quality cream will contain the following components:

• Vitamin C. Keeps the skin soft and elastic, protects against free radicals.
• Vitamin K. Improves blood circulation.
• Hyaluronic acid. Deeply moisturizes the skin.
• Eyeliss. A complex of peptides that strengthens small blood vessels and eliminates inflammation.
• Haloxyl. Accelerates local bilirubin metabolism. Removes puffiness and dark circles under the eyes.
• Coenzyme Q10. Improves metabolism, gives the skin a healthy appearance.
• Ester-C. Stimulates collagen production, improves skin color.
• Resveratrol. Strong antioxidant.
• Essential Fatty Acids. Fatty acids: primrose oil, hemp oil, borage oil.

But these components should not be in a good eye cream:

• Caffeine. Dehydrates the skin.
• Octyl Stearate. Clogs pores.
• Isopropyl Myristate. Causes allergies.
• Sodium Chloride. Leads to inflammation and irritation.
• Propylene Glycol. May cause toxic reactions.
• Parabens. They disrupt hormonal levels and increase the production of estrogen.

The following folk masks will help relieve swelling under the eyes:

• Cucumber (put gruel or whole halves on your eyes for 20 minutes).
• Sour cream (mix 2 teaspoons of sour cream with 1 teaspoon of grated parsley, place under the eyes for 20 minutes).
• Cottage cheese (put cottage cheese in gauze bags, apply on eyelids for 10 minutes).

How to remove swelling with folk remedies

You can do cryomassage with an ice cube from a decoction of parsley (or roots) or tea leaves, after lubricating the delicate skin with a rich cream or oil. Masks with lemon balm and mint are also suitable for relieving swelling. It is worth paying attention to chamomile, horsetail, linden flowers, sage, string and arnica.

Massage to prevent swelling

Daily massage improves blood and lymph circulation in tissues and metabolism. Self-massage should be carried out for 5-15 minutes with stroking movements along the massage lines:

• From the bridge of the nose to the temples.
• From the nose along the cheek to the ears.
• Along the jaw line to the ears.
• From the corners of the lips to the ears.
• From the center of the forehead to the temples.
• Along the neck to the chin.

Ideally 3-5 times a week in courses of 10 sessions 3-4 times a year.

Acupressure is good for toning the skin under the eyes. With your ring fingers you need to lightly press on the skin around the eyes, from the outer corners of the eyes to the nose, along the upper eyelid from the bridge of the nose to the temple area (10-15 times). At the end, light patting movements with the pads of your fingers under the eyes from the outer corners of the eyes to the nose and back will do.

Cosmetology and medical procedures

To eliminate swelling, medical centers or beauty salons often resort to the following procedures:

• It will help eliminate swelling caused by hereditary or age-related increase in fiber. During the operation, fragments of adipose tissue are excised through a small incision in the eyelid, followed by plastic surgery of the ocular septum. In rare cases, excision of the skin of the eyelid is performed. Blepharoplasty happens:
  • Seamless. Suitable for young patients with elastic skin.
  • Suture (classic). During surgery, an incision is made along the edge of the lower eyelid, near the border with the eyelashes. The sutures after surgery are removed on the 4th day.
• Mesotherapy. A special mixture of drugs (“cocktails”) is injected under the skin of the eyes to increase the firmness and elasticity of the skin. Often in therapy, drugs from the Dermaheal Eyebag Solution series are used, which contain a complex of peptides that eliminates swelling, reduces periorbital hernia, and relieves inflammation. Also popular are “cocktails” containing hyaluronic acid, which deeply nourishes and moisturizes the skin of the eyelids.
• Plasmolifting of the face. The patient is injected with platelet-rich plasma isolated from his blood. Injections stimulate metabolic processes, the production of collagen, hyaluronic acid, elastin, fibroblasts and stem cells in problem areas. Plasmolifting of the face helps restore youth, firmness, elasticity to the skin under the eyes, eliminates puffiness and dark circles.

Morning puffiness of the eyes is not always just a harmless cosmetic defect. Loose bags and dark circles under the eyes can be the result of a serious illness. You can remove temporary swelling yourself at home using available means. Painful swelling requires seeing a doctor, diagnosis and treatment along with the disease.

The appearance of bags under the eyes that do not decorate the face after waking up in the morning irritates not only the fair half of humanity, but also men. Swelling of the periocular area is associated with the accumulation of fluid in the periorbital area and is often accompanied by dark or bluish circles around the eyes.

The skin in the eye area is the thinnest, most sensitive and prone to dryness due to the lack of sebaceous glands. The thin layer of the epidermis does not hide the small blood vessels that penetrate the periorbital region. Tissues swollen from edema compress blood vessels, disrupting normal blood flow. This leads to the appearance of dark circles around the eyes.

Long-term recurring swelling excessively stretches the skin of the eyelids, making it saggy. As a result, bags form under the eyes.

Puffiness around the eyes, as a temporary cosmetic defect that disappears during the day and is not associated with diseases, occurs for several reasons.

• Fatigue, overwork and overstrain of the body, including sitting for a long time at the computer, affect, first of all, the condition of the eyes and facial skin. The skin loses its healthy appearance, becomes dull and pale, and the tissues around the eyes darken and swell.

• Stressful situations in which people lose a lot of tears. The salt in tears irritates the delicate, sensitive skin of the eyelids and causes swelling.

• Chronic lack of sleep. Every person needs just enough sleep every day to feel well-rested and well-rested. For most, eight or nine hours is enough. With a lack of sleep, metabolic processes in the body are disrupted and water accumulates in the tissues.

• Lack of oxygen resulting from stuffy indoor conditions and rare exposure to fresh air.

• Lack of fluid in the body. If a person consumes less than two liters of drinking water per day, the body protectively begins to make reserves of fluid, accumulating it in the cells.

• Hereditary factor. The genetically determined thin intradermal membrane that separates the skin of the eyelids from the subcutaneous fat is not able to act as an elastic wall of fat deposits. It bends, forming bags.

• Features of the physiological structure of representatives of some races, which are characterized by swelling around the eyes.

• Excessive drinks before bed. During sleep, excess fluid is poorly removed from the body by the kidneys and accumulates in the form of edema.

• Excess weight. Overweight people are accompanied by excessive swelling of all tissues. Eyes are no exception.

• Smoking promotes stagnation of blood in the vessels, resulting in edema.

• Using low-quality cosmetics or not removing makeup before bed. Swelling occurs as a local skin reaction to masks and creams that are expired or simply unsuitable for a person. Some cosmetic oils clog skin pores, blocking the passage of oxygen. The tissues become heavier, and bags around the eyes appear.

• Uncomfortable position of the head and neck during sleep. The head should rest on the pillow slightly higher than the body, but there should not be a sharp bend in the neck.

• Staying outside for a long time in clear weather without sunglasses. The tissues around the eyes react to sun exposure with swelling.

• Heatwave. In such a situation, the body suffers from a lack of fluid and begins to protectively create its intracellular reserves, provoking edema. To avoid this phenomenon, during the hot season you need to drink more water than usual.

• Fluctuations in women's hormone levels in the body, including during pregnancy. When hormonal levels fail, metabolism is disrupted, which is why swelling occurs.

• Past trauma. Swelling of tissues appears due to blows or bruises.

• Elderly age. The aging skin of the eyelids loses its former elasticity, and its wall does not retain the accumulations in the periorbital space, resulting in loose bags.

When is puffiness under the eyes in the morning a sign of illness?

The unpleasant phenomenon of puffiness under the eyes can be a consequence of a number of serious diseases.

• Renal pathology

Renal edema is uniform in nature; they are called “free-floating” because they move when the body position changes.

• Cardiovascular failure

Cardiac swelling of the eyes is associated with poor circulation, and usually occurs in the late afternoon, when general fatigue accumulates in the body.

• Liver disease

In addition to the eyes, liver diseases also cause swelling in the fingers.

• Eye pathologies

These include scleritis, blepharitis, oncological neoplasms, eversion of the eyelids, ulcers on the eye in the form of barley and other anomalies.

• Thyroid dysfunction

This leads to changes in hormonal levels in the body and is often accompanied by the appearance of sagging tissue under the eyes.

In this case, the swelling does not last long, passes quickly, but reappears upon contact with the allergen. To get rid of puffy eyes, you need to find out which allergen provokes the painful reaction.

• Diseases of the nervous system and skin

Often these areas of the body are interconnected. In particular, eczema or dermatitis often occurs against a background of deep nervous shock. In these pathologies, fluid accumulates in the cells of the epidermis, is poorly excreted and manifests itself as swelling, including in the eye area.

• Viral infection

Often, a viral disease is complicated by sinusitis, sinusitis, or inflammation of the lacrimal glands. The listed inflammatory processes are accompanied by swelling of the face and periocular area.

Swelling with this diagnosis is more pronounced in one eye.

When swelling of the periorbital area is a consequence of a disease, it is not the swelling of the eyes that needs to be treated, but the disease that caused it! Once the disease is cured, the swelling will also go away!

The cause of bags under the eyes can also be hypovitaminosis, or more precisely, a lack of vitamin B5 in the body.

Taking special medications or introducing foods rich in this vitamin into your diet will help compensate for the deficiency of pantothenic acid.

These products include milk and fermented milk drinks, eggs, liver, hazelnuts, fish dishes, buckwheat and oatmeal, green vegetables and fruits.

Diagnosis of diseases that cause swelling

Certain methods will help identify the disease that causes swelling around the eyes. diagnostic examinations

• Clinical and biochemical blood tests.
• General urine analysis, as well as Zimnitsky.
• Blood pressure measurement.
• Ultrasound examination of the heart and thyroid gland.
• Ultrasound of the kidneys and other organs of the abdominal cavity and pelvis.
• Electrocardiography.
• X-ray of the chest and skull.
• Computed tomography of the brain and internal organs.
• Magnetic resonance imaging.

If any disease is detected, additional testing is prescribed to clarify the diagnosis!

Swelling under a child's eyes - which specialist should I contact?

The appearance of puffy eyes in babies causes parents understandable concern. In young children, bags under the eyes can occur for the same reasons as in adults.

But there are also special factors that are specific to infants.

In some cases, parents are able to independently find out and eliminate the cause of dark circles or bags under the eyes of their children. For example, a child developed circles after playing computer games for many hours.

By reducing the time the baby spends sitting at the computer and organizing healthy walks in the fresh air, parents will soon see the results - swelling will go away, dark circles will disappear, and the baby’s body will get stronger.

When swelling of the eyes in children appears against the background of any other symptoms, you should definitely seek advice from a pediatrician!

After conducting a full examination, the pediatrician, if necessary, will refer the baby to a specialist.

How to treat?

Exist medications to help relieve swelling or blueness around the eyes.

• Foods that remove excess fluid, such as parsley and dill, natural black coffee, fresh cucumbers and watermelons.

• Diuretic medications. These include furosemide, triampur, indapamide, veroshpiron and other types of tablets. It is recommended to coordinate the use of any medications with your doctor.

• Special patches containing red algae, green tea, aloe, ginseng root, and other plant adaptogens. The action of anti-edematous patches is based on creating a greenhouse effect in the periocular area, moisturizing the skin and enriching it with vitamins. The patches are very convenient to use, but to prevent the delicate skin around the eyes from stretching too much, they should not be used more than twice a week.

• Vitamin eye drops or ointments, as well as anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and soothing effects. An experienced ophthalmologist will help the patient select the appropriate medication.

How to remove swelling quickly and at home?

Temporary eye swelling can be removed completely independently using simple and affordable home remedies.

Cosmetical tools

Today, a large number of various cosmetic products are produced in the form of oils, gels, creams and masks designed to remove swelling from the eyes.

Here are some of them.

For ease of application, these cosmetics are equipped with rollers and mini-massagers with a vibration effect, and may well be beneficial for someone.

However, it should be remembered that such products themselves can provoke swelling, since the plants included in their composition can cause allergies in humans!

Massage

Massage around the eyes should be done with light movements of the fingertips for two or three minutes. It stimulates the timely outflow of lymphatic fluid, activates blood flow and perfectly tones the eye muscles.

• Light tapping of the upper and lower eyelids in a circle in both directions.
• Light pressure on the points of the inner corner of the eye.
• Soft circular massage of the outer extreme points of the eye orbit.
• Massage the brow ridges with stronger movements from the inner to the outer corner of the eye.
• Gently tap the area under the lower eyelid with your fingertips, alternately in both directions.
• Pressing the middle and index fingers on closed eyes.

Gymnastic exercises for the eyes in the form of a series of tightly closed eyes, as well as frequent and rapid blinking, are also useful!

Folk remedies

Puffiness of the eyes not associated with illness can be relieved using very simple remedies made from natural ingredients.

The compress, mask and lotion are applied to the skin of the eyelids, cleansed of makeup and cream, for about 15-20 minutes!

During the procedure, closed eyes are given the opportunity for additional rest. After this, the mask is washed off with clean, warm water, and a nourishing cream is applied to the eyes.

Diet

To prevent swelling and darkening of the skin around the eyes, you do not need to follow any special diet; it is enough to qualitatively change your nutritional diet.

1. Strong alcohol, wine and beer, as well as spicy, salty, pickled, canned, fried and smoked foods should be excluded from the menu.
2. You should not overuse seasonings and spices and have dinner later than seven o’clock in the evening.
3. You need to drink about two liters of water every day, in addition to the liquid consumed in the form of various drinks and soups.

To understand how to remove puffiness under the eyes, you need to find out the reason for their appearance. Establishing the provoking factor will help you choose the most effective remedy to get rid of puffiness and bags under the eyes.

What causes puffiness under the eyes?

The delicate skin around the eyes is highly susceptible to external and internal negative effects. Under the influence of various factors, it becomes thinner, stretches, and swells. One of the manifestations of the negative impact on the skin is swelling. They arise due to impaired circulation of lymphatic fluid in the tissues of the upper or lower eyelid. Also, swelling around the eyes may be a consequence of obstructed blood flow in the vessels and capillaries.

Swelling becomes very noticeable due to the structure of the skin around the eyes. The anatomical structure of the skin of the lower and upper eyelids has features that make any changes in this area more pronounced. Since the epidermis of the eyelids is thin, with poorly developed subcutaneous fat and low muscle activity, bags under the eyes appear even in cases of minor functional disorders or pathological changes.

Causes of swelling

Tissue swelling that causes puffiness under the eyes can be caused by both physiological and pathological factors.

Physiological reasons

Swelling that occurs due to natural causes is commonly called bags. They appear in both young women and men, as well as in the older generation. Physiological causes of edema are usually not associated with any disease, but have a serious impact on the condition of the skin. They are divided into several categories, depending on their origin.

Congenital swelling of the skin

In this case, swelling is not a consequence of external or internal influences. This manifestation is an individual feature in the structure of the eyelids. It is characterized by an excessive size of subcutaneous fatty tissue, as well as a branched vascular capillary system. The tight fit and increased elasticity of the skin impede the circulation of lymph and blood, which also contributes to the formation of constant swelling.

Age-related changes

In adulthood, skin renewal processes slow down, and gradual deformation of the epidermis begins. After 30 years, the skin around the eyes is subject to the following changes:

• the amount of collagen and elastin in the skin is noticeably reduced;
• subcutaneous fat tissue becomes thinner or hypertrophied, depending on weight fluctuations;
• tissues become looser under the influence of constant blinking and other movements.

This leads to sagging of the eyelids and expansion of the interstitial space, which begins to fill with fluid.

Poor nutrition

Swelling, especially in the morning, is characteristic of those women who violate the correct diet. Edema can be caused by an imbalance of water balance in the following cases:

1. Excessive consumption of liquids (especially sweets) before bedtime and at night. This creates a load on the kidneys, which cannot cope with the processing and disposal of fluids at night.
2. Insufficient amount of water. The body starts the process of retaining fluid in the tissues to avoid severe dehydration.
3. Alcohol consumption. Alcoholic drinks cause general intoxication, as well as water retention in the intercellular space.
4. Salty and spicy foods retain water, and the process of its removal is uneven.

The risk group includes lovers of strong coffee and tea, spicy, fatty, spicy and pickled foods.

Reaction to external stimuli

Physiological reasons related to lifestyle can also provoke the appearance of swelling under the eyes:

• incorrect body position during sleep or rest;
• stressful situations (with crying);
• work associated with eye strain (driving a car, operating machinery, working on a computer);
• smoking.

Reasons unique to women

There are several factors that are unique to the fairer sex. They also give a reaction in the form of swelling of the tissues around the eyes:

• pregnancy;
• menopause;
• hormonal effects of estrogen;
• improper use of decorative and caring cosmetics;
• Botox injections (temporary appearance of edema).

Such swelling disappears after the irritant that caused it ends. If the influence of the provoking factor is rare enough, they do not pose a danger.

NOTE! The physiological changes that cause the bags to appear become more intense every year. To remove physiological swelling, you need to carefully monitor your skin using comprehensive care products.

Pathological causes

Swelling under the eyes can appear in response to diseases or external irritants that trigger the development of a pathological process in the body. These include:

• eye diseases;
• irritation of the mucous membrane of the eyes and swelling of the eyelids as a result of smoke or exposure to toxic substances;
• diseases of the kidneys, liver, cardiovascular system;
• metabolic disease;
• allergic reactions;
• local inflammatory processes localized in the facial part;
• hernia or osteochondrosis of the cervical spine;
• traumatic injuries to the face;
• lack of vitamin B5.

Edema, which is pathogenetic in nature, does not go away on its own or after cosmetic procedures. To remove swelling under the eyes, it is necessary to treat the root cause that caused their appearance.

How to remove puffiness under the eyes

There are several techniques that will help get rid of swelling around the eyes. Their use depends on the cause that provoked the swelling and swelling of the tissues.

Drug treatment

Treatment of edema with the help of medications is used as part of a complex treatment of pathologies that provoked their appearance. Drug therapy is aimed at:

• elimination of the root cause (treatment of the underlying disease);
• taking diuretics to remove excess fluid from the body;
• complex therapy to restore metabolism, water and vitamin-mineral balance.

One of the drugs that helps reduce swelling around the eyes is Pinoxide. It is used only in salons, injected directly into the swollen area. The drug helps restore blood circulation and microcirculation in the affected area, and helps to quickly get rid of physiological swelling.

A radical method to get rid of swelling around the eyes is surgical blepharoplasty. It should be noted that the operation allows you to get rid of swelling, but does not exclude its reappearance.

IMPORTANT! Medicines to relieve swelling should be recommended by a doctor and used in accordance with the prescribed dosage.

Effective creams and ointments

Cosmetic products designed to help women combat facial swelling are widely represented on the market. Anti-edema creams or ointments contain natural ingredients that help reduce swelling and create a slight lifting effect. A quick effect is provided by creams, gels, ointments based on coffee, horse chestnut, hyaluronic acid, vitamin K. The most popular are the following:

• caffeine gel (Garnier), seaweed-based gel Stimul Eye Active (Natura Bisse), caffeine gel SOS with panthenol (Eldan), herbal-mineral gel Vita Activa;
• ointments Blefarogel (with hyaluronic acid and aloe vera), Curiosin (containing zinc hyaluronate), Foretal (with urea), Solcoseryl (extract from the blood of calves), Troxevasin (with active venotonic components), Heparin ointment (with active heparin).

For ease of application, manufacturers of decongestants offer their products in different designs. These are applicator rollers or vibrating mini-massagers that create a light massage effect when applying the product to the skin.

Folk remedies in the fight against edema

There are many simple remedies that help relieve swelling. Their use does not require special skills, so you can use them at home, at any convenient time. Masks made from herbal ingredients, compresses and massage treatments help effectively remove swelling at home.

Use of essential oils

The beneficial effects of essential oils on the skin have long been known. Their beneficial properties are used to correct swelling of the skin around the eyes, smooth it out and relieve puffiness. Essential oils have a relaxing and tonic effect, with a lifting effect, so they should be used in the morning or evening:

1. For morning procedures, coffee, myrrh, sandalwood, and rose oil are used. They have a tightening and smoothing effect, reducing swelling.
2. Neroli oil has a relaxing effect on the skin of the eyelids, so it is recommended for use before bed.

Do not use concentrated essential oils as they may burn your skin or cause an allergic reaction. For safe use, it is recommended to add 5-10 g of oil to 10 g of tonic or cream.

ADVICE! Before using essential oil, be sure to conduct a trial test for an allergic reaction.

Lotions and compresses

Decoctions based on herbal ingredients can be used for compresses and lotions. Such procedures help relieve fatigue, tone the skin and restore microcirculation in the skin of the eyelids, helping to eliminate swelling.

To prepare the decoction, use parsley, herbs and dill seeds, peppermint, green tea, calamus root, horse chestnut, chamomile, calendula, rose hips, sageweed, birch leaves or decongestant herbal infusions, which can be purchased at the pharmacy.

The decoction is prepared as follows: 1 tbsp. l of crushed raw materials, pour 200 ml of water and cook for 10 minutes in a water bath, at a low boil. The broth is filtered and cooled.

As a compress, you can use filter bags in which herbal teas are sold. They are brewed in hot water, cooled and applied to the swollen area. It is also recommended to pour the broth into molds and freeze it so that you can use the ice to wipe the skin.

Lotions or compresses are made on clean skin, without decorative cosmetics or care products. The compress is left for 5-10 minutes, after which a cosmetic or medicinal decongestant is applied to the eyelids.

INTERESTING! Herbal decoctions based on diuretic herbs can also be drunk instead of water or tea. They help remove excess fluid from the body and relieve swelling.

Masks

Masks are an effective way to combat swelling around the eyes. They can be prepared using essential oils or plant components. The most recommended mask for reducing swelling around the eyes is a mask made from parsley. To prepare it, grind a small bunch of parsley into a paste and add 1 tbsp. l thick sour cream. To enhance the effect, you can add 1 teaspoon of ground coffee to the mask.

Masks based on black bread, egg whites, buckwheat or rice flour, apples, and strawberries are also popular.

Anti-swelling massage

Various massage procedures help reduce puffiness under the eyes. The use of this method helps restore blood circulation and intercellular fluid in the tissues of the eyelids. Complex facial massage can be performed independently, or in a massage room, 2-3 times a week. A small self-massage is recommended daily.

To achieve an anti-edematous effect, during facial massage, it is necessary to carefully work out all areas where microcirculation may be impaired. The intensity of movements increases gradually to avoid injury to tissues and blood vessels.

ADVICE! The most effective massage techniques are considered to be lymphatic drainage massage and Moroccan lifting massage.

Express methods for getting rid of edema

If you don’t have time for long procedures and you need to quickly remove puffiness under the eyes, use one of the following remedies:

1. Apply raw, sliced ​​potatoes to your swollen eyes. Leave for 15-20 minutes, then wash with cool water and apply a cream or ointment with a decongestant effect to your eyelids.
2. Make lotions from chilled kefir or milk, with the addition of essential coffee oil or regular ground coffee.
3. There is an interesting way to relieve swelling using massage with silver or regular spoons. Apply them to your eyes and massage for 5 minutes. Cold metal has a vasoconstrictor effect, so swelling goes away very quickly.

Such methods will help reduce the severity of swelling and also tone the skin. To consolidate the effect, after washing it is recommended to treat your eyelids with ice cubes.

Preventing the appearance of edema

You can prevent swelling of the tissues around the eyes with the help of some preventive measures. To avoid swelling, you must follow these simple recommendations:

• promptly remove decorative cosmetics from the face;
• use only high-quality and proven cosmetics;
• undergo an annual preventive examination to identify possible diseases and pathologies at an early stage;
• Regular rest, proper nutrition, and avoidance of alcohol and smoking are necessary;
• maintaining correct body position while sleeping;
• Avoid contact with causative agents of allergic reactions.

Experts also recommend performing a set of gymnastic exercises, which are designed to improve the condition of the skin of the eyelids. Compliance with all requirements, as well as preventive facial skin care, will help avoid the appearance of edema and reduce its severity.