How to get rid of puffy eyes instantly

Inherited facial features, sensitivity, stress, tired eyes, and skin texture can cause puffy eyes and dark circles.

A more permanent solution will require determining the underlying reason, even though some home treatments, such as cucumber slices or anti-hemorrhoidal creams, can help relieve puffiness.

Puffy eyes causes

The skin around your eyes is thin, so when you have too much fluid accumulation in the tissue around your eyeballs, it can cause swelling and discoloration.

So why does fluid build up and cause the eyes to swell? Several factors can lead to puffy eyes, including:

• Allergies, which can cause swelling and puffiness
• Excessive salt intake (it causes fluid retention.)
• Sinus problems
• Fatigue and lack of sleep
• Dehydration
• Stress
• Aging
• Crying
• Inherited facial features

While this answer may be unpleasant, many people indeed have puffy eyes because it is a trait that they inherited.

As people age, they may start to see puffiness around their eyes. That might be because the fatty tissue generally protects the eye and begins to move forward and fill the spaces under the eyes.

The membrane or septum often retains fat in both the upper and lower eyelids. However, as people age, this membrane thins, and the fat pushes forward. That is when people often start to see bags or bulges form under their eyes.

Do you have puffy eyes in the morning?

While we sleep, we don't blink, which is part of the reason for puffy eyes.

Blinking is to the eyes what walking is to the legs. When inactive, some people get swelling in their lower extremities, which disappears as soon as they start walking, and the leg muscles begin to drain trapped fluids (edema) as they are released back into circulation.

A similar action takes place in the eyes. Closed, unblinking eyes during sleep can swell, especially in those prone to this condition. So in the morning, when you wake up, you may have unusually puffy eyes, but as soon as you open and start blinking, some puffiness will subside in about an hour.

When this problem is a medical condition

Swollen eyelids can, at times, be an indicator of a hidden medical condition, especially when the swelling is sudden.

For example, some people with thyroid eye disease develop swelling of the tissues and muscles around the eyes. In addition, bulging (protruding) eyes may be a sign of a thyroid disease known as Graves' disease.

Eye allergies to conditions such as hay fever can also cause eye inflammation. Other types of allergies, such as reactions to certain foods or chemicals, also cause swelling of the eyelids.

During an allergic reaction, specific cells in the body release a chemical called histamine that has many adverse effects on body tissues, including the leakage of fluids from blood vessels. These fluids become trapped in the surrounding tissues and cause edema.

If you have an eye infection, like conjunctivitis, your eyelids may swell, and you may get dark circles under your eyes. In this case, the swelling of the eyelids is caused by an eye infection. It directly affects the area around the eyelids. Dry eye syndrome can also cause generalized swelling and inflammation.

Systemic diseases like kidney failure can cause swelling throughout the entire body, including around the eyes.

How to get rid of puffy eyes

If you want to find the best solution for puffy eyes and dark circles under the eyes, it is essential to identify the cause of the problem.

If you have the same puffy eyes as one of your parents, you likely inherited the trait. You will either need to get used to living with that appearance or consider cosmetic options that may help reduce the puffiness.

Due to the aging process, puffy eyes will probably also require a cosmetic solution.

If you are unhappy with how your eyelids look, a few options are available. You can discuss these with your eye specialist or cosmetic surgeon. These options include:

• Chemical peels.
• Laser skin resurfacing procedures.
• Some cosmeceuticals (prescription medical skin care products)
• Eyelid surgery (known as blepharoplasty.)

Blepharoplasty involves removing extra fatty tissue and excess skin from the upper and lower eyelids and tightening the skin and muscles to reduce puffiness and wrinkles.

There are some temporary things you can do to help reduce the appearance of puffiness around your eyes. These include:

• Applying ice packs to your eyes for a few minutes at a time.
• Apply cucumber slices or cold tea bags to closed eyes.
• Use creams and other skin products specially formulated for use around the eyes.
• Reduce salt intake in your diet.
• Eating foods rich in potassium, such as bananas, removes excess fluids from the body.
• Spraying cold water on the face and eyes.
• Using artificial tears or lubricating eye drops to help keep your eyes moist.
• Using over-the-counter eye creams or gels specifically designed to reduce puffiness.
• Elevating your head when you sleep by using an extra pillow or two.
• Using eye drops for irritation caused by allergies.
• Drinking plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.
• Getting enough sleep and rest

As mentioned above, one of the most common home remedies is the temporary use of anti hemorrhoidal creams and ointments to reduce eye swelling. A typical active ingredient in these preparations is phenylephrine, a drug that constricts blood vessels and reduces their diameter.

These creams can have a dual effect on puffy eyes. First, if dark circles under the eyes have been caused by a visible network of blood vessels under the thin skin of the eyelid, making the blood vessels smaller may reduce the dark circles.

Secondly, narrowing the blood vessels could reduce possible leakage of fluid into the blood vessels, and this could reduce puffiness.

However, be aware of the risks associated with using anti hemorrhoidal creams for this specific purpose. If you accidentally get any of these products in your eyes, you could experience a severe inflammatory response known as chemical conjunctivitis.

Before using them, you should consult your eye care professional about whether it is appropriate to use anti hemorrhoidal creams or other home remedies for swollen eyelids.

Final words

So, if you are looking for a quick and easy way to get rid of puffy eyes, try one of these methods. Which one works best for you?

DISCLAIMER: buildyourbody.org does not provide medical advice, examination, or diagnosis.

Medically reviewed and approved by Nataniel Josue M D.