Swelling Under The Eyes - Causes Of Occurrence, How To Remove Swelling Under The Eyes?

2023 Author: Philip Bishop | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-08-25 07:54

Causes, symptoms, how to remove puffiness under the eyes?

Content:

• Why do my eyes swell?
• What other causes of puffiness under the eyes can be?
• How to remove puffiness under the eyes?
• Prevention of edema under the eyes

The accumulation of excess fluid in the tissues of the body leads to such an unpleasant and unaesthetic phenomenon as edema. They can appear in various areas and parts of the human body: on the face, upper or lower extremities, trunk, internal organs and body cavities; differ in the causes of occurrence, the rate of development of the process, the composition of the edematous fluid.

There are few people who have not encountered the problem of puffiness under the eyes, at least in the morning, after a noisy and cheerful evening or after mental trauma and shock, accompanied by profuse tears. To distinguish the normal, physiological process of eye puffiness from pathology (when swelling is a symptom of a particular disease), it is necessary to carefully analyze this problem.

Why do my eyes swell?

The phrase "eyes swell" does not mean a literal increase in the size of the eyeball, but the processes in the upper or lower eyelid, in which an excess of interstitial fluid accumulates in the tissues of these anatomical structures. The human body is 60% water. Most of the fluid is in the cells of the body, less in the non-cellular space. With the help of water and electrolyte balance, certain functions of organs and systems, this ratio is maintained at a constant level, and when the balance is disturbed (as a rule, against the background of any pathological processes), edema appears. Why are they so clearly visible under the eyes? This is due to the anatomical features of the tissues around the eyes - the skin in these places is rather thin, the subcutaneous fat has a loose structure, there are no sebaceous glands,muscle activity is relatively weak, and there are many different blood vessels (both large and capillary). It is necessary to distinguish between concepts such as puffiness and bags under the eyes.

Bags under the eyes form when the skin loses its elasticity and firmness (usually with age) and can no longer support the fatty tissue that is located around the eyelid.

Edema is, first of all, an excess of interstitial fluid, which is retained due to metabolic disorders.

There are many reasons why the upper or lower eyelid swells:

• Inflammatory process. The main characteristic features of which are the following symptoms: the skin is hyperemic (there is a pronounced reddening of the eyelid skin), the temperature in the eyelid region is increased (local sensation of heat) and unpleasant, painful sensations arise when palpating the inflamed area. The causes of inflammation of the eyelid can be various diseases - erysipelas, furunculosis, barley, chalazion, the same common cold or runny nose. The upper eyelid is more often affected.

• Edema as a symptom of diseases of internal organs or systems. They are noted in diseases of the thyroid gland, pituitary gland, cardiovascular system, kidney pathologies, and venous outflow disorders. Such edema has a specific development and course. The processes, which are localized more often in the lower eyelid, are most clearly manifested in the morning, with a decrease in the intensity of swelling throughout the day, are a sign of renal pathology, but in the evening such swelling signals a violation of the cardiovascular system. With a disease of organs or systems, edema has, as a rule, symmetrical localization (appear under the right and left eyes at the same time). If there is a suspicion that edema is one of the symptoms of some more serious pathology, it is necessary to consult a specialist to clarify the nature of their appearance.
• Edema as a manifestation of an allergic reaction of the body. As a rule, the localization of such edema is the upper eyelid. Swelling often occurs on one side of the face, is characterized by lightning-fast development and the same quick end. Various substances can be provoking allergens in this form of edema: medicines, cosmetics, food products and plants. Local allergic reactions can also occur when an allergen comes into contact with the mucous membrane of the eye. Such reactions are accompanied by reddening of the mucous membrane, itching, a feeling of "sand in the eyes" and the desire to "wipe the eyes". They are joined by catarrhal symptoms: nasal congestion, sneezing, lacrimation.

• Hormonal changes and pregnancy. An increase in the level of a hormone (estrogen) in women before the menstrual cycle leads to fluid retention in the tissues of the body, which, in turn, causes the formation of edema under the eyes. Also, changes in the hormonal background in a woman during puberty, menopause, treatment with specific drugs (hormones) of various diseases can also lead to edema. Many women report the development of edema during pregnancy, especially in the third trimester. If edema appears throughout the entire period of pregnancy, against the background of atypical (even for a pregnant) weight gain, it is necessary to consult a doctor - in this case, edema can signal the pathology of internal organs and systems. First of all, about kidney disease or the possible development of dropsy in pregnant women.



• Mechanical damage. This should include, of course, traumatic injuries (bruises, fractures of the skull bones, burns, insect bites), which are accompanied by tissue edema and hematomas. Edema can be caused not only by damage to the lower or upper eyelid, but also by trauma to the overlying parts of the head: the scalp or facial bones of the skull, for example, the frontal. This is because in the event of mechanical damage, blood vessels are affected and the blood, together with the intercellular fluid, under the influence of gravity tends to "go down" - to the region of the upper and lower eyelids. A distinctive feature of such edema is their independent, without additional treatment, disappearance in a fairly short time.

• Violation of venous and lymphatic outflow. Various surgical manipulations in the head area, and especially the face, including cosmetic (for example, rejuvenating) procedures in the area around the eyes, can lead to a violation of the outflow of lymph and venous blood. Which, in turn, leads to the accumulation of intercellular fluid and the development of edema under the eyes.
• Genetic predisposition to edema. If swelling around the eyes began to appear in childhood or adolescence against the background of general satisfactory health and the absence of external factors, and the parents also have pronounced puffiness under the eyes, we can talk about a genetic predisposition to edema. This is due to the excess development of fatty tissue around the eyes.

• Eye strain and general fatigue of the body. These two factors quite often lead to the development of puffiness under the eyes. During prolonged work at a computer, driving a car (especially in bad, unfavorable weather conditions and at night), reading books under artificial lighting and watching TV, the eye muscles are constantly strained, which leads to a violation of the blood supply to the upper and lower eyelids. With such a violation, extracellular fluid enters the interstitial space and causes edema. And he, in turn, interferes with the establishment of normal blood circulation in the tissues and everything happens again, "in a circle". General overwork leads to a violation of the normal daily routine: a person cannot fall asleep for a long time, and in the morning he is unable to wake up. Lack of good rest - "on the face". More precisely, under the eyes, in the form of edema.
• Age. The skin under the eyes is rather thin and weak, and with age it becomes even more thinner, its turgor decreases, muscle weakness and degradation of the ligamentous apparatus increase, and the bone tissue (orbit) becomes more fragile and does not support the surrounding tissues, as at a younger age. Naturally, it becomes harder for the body to maintain adipose tissue and fiber around the eyes, and it (the tissue) begins to "fall out" from its usual boundaries. With age, the kidneys work worse, the processes of water-electrolyte metabolism slow down, the water accumulated in the tissues is excreted more slowly. All this leads to the fact that in old age, edema becomes chronic.

• Excess salt in the body. It has long been known that salt retains water in body tissues. Especially if it enters the body in the evening, before bedtime. With the systematic use of salted dishes, various canned delicacies (in which salt is also used for sterilization), water in the fatty tissue around the eyes will constantly accumulate, which will lead to the development of edema. After eating spicy and salty foods, there is also a feeling of thirst, which forces you to consume even more liquid, which, thanks to salt, is already much worse excreted from the body. It turns out a vicious circle: salty food - thirst - poor water excretion - edema.

What other causes of puffiness under the eyes can be?

In addition to physiological and pathological processes in the body, the appearance of edema can provoke various individual characteristics of a particular person. First of all, this is due to nutrition, the presence of bad habits, and lifestyle.

Life style

Fans of fun and stormy parties from dusk to dawn are at risk of getting puffy under the eyes the next day. There is a whole "bunch" of reasons that cause swelling and redness under the eyes: alcohol (or possibly drugs); large amounts of sweet and carbonated drinks; bright artificial lighting; a short sleep without a sense of rest. All these factors lead to the formation of edema under the eyes in the morning.

The appearance or absence of swelling in the eye area directly depends on the person's lifestyle. First of all, take completely simple preventive measures - airing the room, especially before bedtime (lack of oxygen also leads to the appearance of edema), a reasonable tan (excess ultraviolet light ages the skin faster), gymnastics, or simply an increase in physical activity and movement.

It is necessary to exclude from your diet, and even more so in the evening, alcoholic beverages, strong coffee and fatty, spicy and salty foods. It is advisable to exclude smoking and alcohol not only at night, but in general - some disadvantages from such habits. And no matter how paradoxical it sounds, you need to drink more liquid throughout the day: up to 2 liters, preferably most of the volume - up to 14 hours. With an insufficient amount of fluid, the body turns on its "hidden" reserves and begins to store water for future use, of course, under the eyes, in bags.

Tears. Especially at night

Many have noticed that after crying, abundantly and generously shed tears, swelling appears under the eyes. They are most pronounced the next day, when the person cried the night before, before going to bed. This is due to the fact that the composition of the lacrimal fluid contains salt, which delays the excretion of interstitial fluid.

Tears act as a "double agent" - salt traps fluid and irritates the skin under the eyes, causing local inflammation and local swelling. And if we consider that tears are usually accompanied by emotional experiences on the verge of stress, followed by insomnia, and even with a glass of brandy (to calm down), then it’s no wonder that in the morning there will be swelling under the eyes with blue circles “on the load”.

Use of cosmetics

The use of cosmetics by itself does not lead to the appearance of edema. In this aspect, the “culture” of using additional accessories and beauty tools is rather important. Rule number one: it is necessary to wash off the cosmetics applied in the morning every evening and do it not just before going to bed, but in a few hours - so the skin can rest and breathe a little.

To remove decorative cosmetics, you must use only special makeup removers, and not dry your skin by washing with ordinary toilet soap. After washing, you should lightly blot your face with a soft towel, in no case rub it, stretching and loosening the skin.

It is worth carefully reading and studying the composition of the night cream (if used) - it should not contain components due to which a film forms on the skin, this can also lead to facial swelling the next morning. And, of course, you need to know when to stop in everything. It is not recommended to use a large amount of decorative cosmetics, applying it abundantly to the skin in the eye area. This will lead to clogged pores, local irritation and, as a result, to the appearance of puffiness under the eyes.

Swelling under the eyes in the morning

By the appearance of edema, one can judge the health of a person, what he eats, what kind of life he leads. First of all, it is necessary to make a clear differentiation of the causes of bags under the eyes. Edema can be the most common physiological process, when fluid in the interstitial space has accumulated overnight: a person is asleep, physical activity is reduced, the processes in the body have slightly slowed down. Usually, such morning edema goes away on its own. Good physical well-being, an active and energetic rhythm of life (as a result of this - excellent blood circulation), the absence of complaints and a little action of the forces of gravity - thanks to all these factors, the edema goes away rather quickly.

But often morning swelling can signal a not entirely healthy and correct lifestyle, the need to change something - to reconsider your diet and diet, give up bad habits and go in for sports. But all the same, such edema is more of a physiological nature and the solution to the problem is in the hands of the owner of the "bags" under the eyes.

However, do not forget that swelling in the morning can be a signal of the development or presence of a number of diseases. First of all, kidney and liver diseases.

If the edema develops gradually, especially against the background of other complaints, it is possible that these are diseases of the cardiovascular system.

In any case, if edema appears too often, their appearance is not associated with any external factors, mechanical damage and the presence of already diagnosed diseases, it is better to consult a general practitioner.

How to remove puffiness under the eyes?

It is possible to successfully deal with edema, especially if they are not a symptom of some 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 to use and easy to use. Having tried several, you can choose the optimal solution for you, taking into account the individual characteristics of your body, lifestyle and availability of free time: you can fight such an unattractive and unpleasant phenomenon as edema with the help of compresses, massages, baths and masks.

Massage

Alternative medicine recommends treating bags under the eyes with massage. With light, circular movements rubbing the edema towards the ears, you also massage the bioactive points that are located on the cheekbones and are responsible for the health and condition of the eyes. To make the massage softer and less traumatic for sensitive skin in this area, moisten your fingertips with natural essential oil. But do not use it neat, undiluted, but add a few drops of cosmetic oil to olive oil and start the procedure. But this method is contraindicated for people who have problems with blood pressure. In this case, you can massage with ice cubes (the effect will increase even more if instead of water you freeze a decoction of chamomile, parsley or green tea). Move ice gently from eyes to cheeks,as if squeezing the edema downwards. But do not overdo it, you will achieve a cosmetic effect by cooling the skin and improving blood circulation, rather than freezing it. Do not overcool your face, otherwise such procedures may end up with, at least, a banal runny nose, and in the worst case, sinusitis. If in doubt, proceed easier: to get rid of circles under the eyes, it is enough to wipe the skin with ice cubes with decoctions of chamomile, string or sage every morning.to get rid of under-eye circles, it is enough to wipe the skin with ice cubes with decoctions of chamomile, string or sage every morning.to get rid of circles under the eyes, it is enough to wipe the skin with ice cubes with decoctions of chamomile, string or sage every morning.

Contrasting baths have a beneficial effect on the skin condition in the eye area. Pour warm and cold salted water into two bowls. Take 2 towels. While alternately wetting towels in water, apply them to your eyes for a few minutes without applying too much pressure. Then wash yourself with warm water.

Compresses

Compresses with tea (black or green), which contain tannins and caffeine, remove bags under the eyes well. Tannins (tannins) reduce swelling, as they have an astringent effect on the skin, and caffeine, by constricting blood vessels, reduces its swelling. We should also say a few words about chamomile tea. With its natural anti-inflammatory effect, it soothes the skin and irritations around the eyes, thereby relieving redness and puffiness. To treat bags under the eyes with tea, you can use cotton pads soaked in tea or the infusion bags themselves, and apply them to the eyes for 15–20 minutes.

Vitamin E has a soothing and irritating effect. Add a few drops of this vitamin to cool water and stir. Soak cotton balls in the mixture and hold them in front of your eyes for about 20 minutes. Such a compress is not only a wonderful morning prevention of puffiness and circles under the eyes, but also has an excellent cosmetic effect on the sensitive skin around the eyes, softening, nourishing and smoothing it.

Drug treatment

One of the most radical means of dealing with edema can be called "beauty injections" with the addition of Pinoxide. Recently, this remedy has been used to reduce bags under the eyes, since it has been experimentally proven that Pinoxide improves blood circulation, thereby promoting the resorption of swellings.

To remove edema, it is necessary to remove excess fluid from the body. If external, local methods did not help, you can try to drink diuretics. But remember that together with the liquid, diuretics "wash out" useful substances (the same calcium) from the body, so use them only in combination with vitamin preparations. And be sure to consult with your doctor: are there any contraindications and how appropriate in your case is the treatment of edema with medication.

Masks for healthy skin around the eyes

With regularly appearing edema, it is necessary to begin a systematic fight with them. Masks for redness and puffiness under the eyes are made with the same frequency as regular face masks, and the same duration (applied for 15-25 minutes, then washed off with water at room temperature).

One of the most popular are masks with egg white, which, having a lifting effect, helps to significantly improve the condition of the skin around the eyes. A mask made from strawberries has a similar effect, which, in addition to a lifting effect, will smooth and refresh the skin. Chilled berries are cut into small slices and applied to the area under the eyes.

Parsley masks are also quite effective. Finely chopped greens can be stored in the refrigerator, and if they become dryish, just sprinkle with water before applying. To prepare a mask for sensitive and dry skin, it is recommended to mix parsley with sour cream.

In the evening, to prevent edema, use buckwheat cakes for applications on the skin around the eyes. They are prepared quite simply: grind buckwheat calcined in a frying pan into flour in a coffee grinder, then dilute with water to the consistency of a thick dough, from which you can easily make circles of the required size.

Grated apples will also reduce swelling of the skin. And if you are in a hurry, just hold the peeled apple slice on the inflamed skin.

Gel masks are very convenient, effective and inexpensive. You can buy them in almost every pharmacy, and use them at any time and in any place when you do not have the necessary products at hand. Before use, the mask must be cooled for 15 minutes (in cool water or refrigerator) and can be applied to the face.

In beauty salons, to eliminate the problem, you will be offered treatment procedures using cooling creams, masks or gels, but be prepared for a very tangible burden on your family budget. No revolutionary procedures will be done to you, and you can reduce swelling and relieve irritation at home with no less success.

Quick methods of dealing with under eye circles

If you do not have time to diet, drink pills that remove accumulated fluid in the body or take a course of massage, then use the blitz methods to combat edema, which will remove swelling or relieve skin inflammation for a while, but do not completely eliminate the problem, especially when it is associated with disturbances in the work of your body. Here are the fastest and most effective ways to combat puffiness and redness in the skin around your eyes:

• cut the pre-chilled raw potatoes into slices and place them over the eyes, capturing the skin area under the lower eyelid, and leave for twenty minutes. This is one of the most effective methods of dealing with edema;
• redness and swelling quickly and effectively remove fermented milk products. Soak a cotton ball in chilled milk and hold it like a compress on your eyelids for half an hour. Thus, you get rid of excess fluid accumulated in the body after the holidays or prolonged parties;
• many people really like compresses with cucumber, which relieve irritation, swelling and itching on the inflamed skin area. No lengthy preparations are required - just apply cucumber slices to the skin around the eyes and leave for 10-15 minutes;
• puffiness under the eyes is also removed using a rather unusual method of applying metal spoons. Its effectiveness is explained quite simply: cold metal constricts the blood vessels, thereby reducing swelling. Spoons for the "compress" must be changed as it heats up, the result is exactly the cold, which holds the metal for the longest time.

On the subject: The best products for edema

Prevention of edema under the eyes

A healthy lifestyle, the necessary amount of healthy foods in the diet, low in salt and plenty of fluids are the main preventive measures in the fight against puffiness under the eyes.

But there are a few more secrets that I would like to reveal for a successful and effective fight against puffiness around the eyes.

The appearance of morning edema largely depends on the position of the person during sleep. It is best to sleep on your back than on your stomach or side. You can use an extra pillow to keep your head a little higher. In this position, the accumulated fluid will not collect under the eyes.

People suffering from allergies should prevent its seasonal manifestations, stay away from sources and substances provoking allergic reactions.

And do not forget about sunscreens not only in summer, but also in winter. The sun's rays weaken and cause premature aging of the thin and sensitive skin around the eyes.

Author of the article: Lebedev Andrey Sergeevich | Urologist