What is the root cause of puffy eyes?

Puffy eyes are a common symptom of allergy, infection, inflammation, and physical irritation. Puffy eyes result from excess fluid (edema) in the soft tissues surrounding the eyes. The medical term for swollen eyes is chemosis.


How do I stop my eyes from being puffy?

Cold compresses: Cooling the area lessens inflammation and swelling by reducing blood flow. You can place anything cold, such as an ice pack, frozen bag of vegetables, chilled cucumber slices or refrigerated spoons, over closed eyes for a few minutes.

What causes puffy eyes as you get older?

As you age, muscles and tissues weaken, and the fat that naturally supports the eyes can sink to the area beneath your eyes, making them appear swollen. Fluids can also collect in the area.


When should I be worried about puffy eyes?

Signs of a more serious problem

Call your eye doctor right away if swelling lasts longer than 24 to 48 hours and you notice any of the following: Pain in your eye(s). Blurry vision. Decreased vision.

What health conditions cause puffy eyes?

Causes
  • Aging.
  • Fluid retention, especially upon waking or after a salty meal.
  • Lack of sleep.
  • Allergies.
  • Smoking.
  • Genetics — under-eye bags can run in families.
  • Medical conditions, such as dermatitis, dermatomyositis, renal disease and thyroid eye disease.


Causes of Puffy Eye Bags Aside from Aging, and Stress Factors than can Make Them Worse



What illness causes swollen eyes?

Causes of Eye Swelling on Both Sides
  • Allergic Conjunctivitis. Itchy pink eyes from pollen or pet dander.
  • Viral Conjunctivitis. The main symptom is red eyes with a cold.
  • Bacterial Conjunctivitis. The main symptom is yellow pus in the eye or eyes. ...
  • Edema (serious). ...
  • Anaphylaxis (very serious).


What do puffy under eyes mean?

Swollen eyes are caused by an inflammatory response to an allergen, infection or injury, while puffy eyes are soft and swollen eyelids that are due to water retention, lack of sleep, or genetic traits like age-related sagging or puffiness of the eyelids.

Can puffy eyes be cured?

You can reduce eye puffiness by resting a cool washcloth on your eyelids for about 10 minutes. This can help drain excess fluid from under your eyes. A compress of green or black tea bags may also do the trick. The tea contains antioxidants and caffeine that can reduce inflammation and constrict blood vessels.


Can thyroid issues cause bags under your eyes?

Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) isn't usually associated with eye disease. In severe cases, however, hypothyroidism may cause swelling around the eyes and a loss of the hairs in the outer part of the eyebrows.

Can puffy eyes go back to normal?

The medical term for the skin around the eyes looking swollen or puffy is “periorbital puffiness.” The cause is commonly edema, swelling caused by the retention of fluid, which can occur due to crying or during sleep. This puffiness usually goes away on its own, though a person can take steps to reduce the swelling.

Can liver problems cause puffy eyes?

Edema (serious).

Edema fluid first appears as swelling of the feet due to gravity. Edema fluid also occurs around both eyes after lying down. It's caused by kidney, heart or liver failure.


What do hypothyroid eyes look like?

Thyroid eye disease is a condition in which the eye muscles, eyelids, tear glands and fatty tissues behind the eye become inflamed. This can cause the eyes and eyelids to become red, swollen and uncomfortable and the eyes can be pushed forward ('staring' or 'bulging' eyes).

What are the thyroid eye signs?

The patient complains of gritty sensations, photophobia, lacrimation, dry eye, discomfort, and forward protrusion of the eye. In more advanced cases, patient may complain eye socket (orbital) pain, double vision, or blurred vision.

What deficiency causes under eye bags?

Dark circles under the eyes may be a sign of iron deficiency anemia . In those cases, an iron supplement may be helpful to normalize blood levels.


Does Preparation H work on puffy eyes?

"Preparation H is a vasoconstrictor," explained Dr. Sejal Shah, founder of Smarter Skin Dermatology in New York City. "By narrowing the vessels, it helps reduce puffiness. It can also make any bluish discoloration less noticeable."

Should I go to the doctor for puffy eyes?

Eyelid swelling usually goes away on its own within a day or so. If it doesn't get better in 24 to 48 hours, you should call your primary care physician or see your eye doctor. Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and examine your eye and eyelid.

How do you drain fluid from under your eyes?

Use your fingers or a cold metal facial roller to massage your face. Gently massage or tap around your eyes and sinuses to help drain away extra fluid.


Can swollen eyes be serious?

A swollen eyelid can happen for many reasons, ranging from tiredness to an infection. If symptoms are severe, persistent, or could indicate an infection, the person should seek medical help. Some eye conditions can lead to severe complications, including vision loss.

How do you get rid of puffy eyes with hypothyroidism?

Keeping the head elevated in bed at night can help reduce swelling from the thyroid eye to a certain extent. Selenium supplements can help if eye swelling is mild. Medications such as steroids and immunosuppressants that treat inflammation also bring down the swelling.

Can Hashimoto's cause eye swelling?

Hashimoto's/TED takes it several steps further by adding on blurry vision, puffy eyes (also known as periorbital swelling), and loss of eyelash and eyebrow hairs to the list of symptoms.


What are the symptoms of underactive thyroid in females?

Symptoms of an underactive thyroid
  • tiredness.
  • being sensitive to cold.
  • weight gain.
  • constipation.
  • depression.
  • slow movements and thoughts.
  • muscle aches and weakness.
  • muscle cramps.


What are the 4 warning signs of a damaged liver?

If signs and symptoms of liver disease do occur, they may include:
  • Skin and eyes that appear yellowish (jaundice)
  • Abdominal pain and swelling.
  • Swelling in the legs and ankles.
  • Itchy skin.
  • Dark urine color.
  • Pale stool color.
  • Chronic fatigue.
  • Nausea or vomiting.


Does a fatty liver cause puffy eyes?

Kidney or Liver – Puffy eyes may be the first sign of fluid retention due to Condition – a medical problem, such as kidney or liver disease.


What do liver failure eyes look like?

Yellow Skin or Eyes (Jaundice)

Your skin may look yellow along with the whites of your eyes. Doctors call this jaundice. This happens when too much of a yellow substance from your red blood cells called bilirubin builds up.