Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAt-Home TreatmentsMedical TreatmentsWhen to Seek Care
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
At-Home Treatments
Medical Treatments
When to Seek Care
Although puffy eyes are common, they can feel uncomfortable and make you self-conscious. Allergies are a common cause of temporary eye swelling. Lifestyle factors like smoking, salt intake, and sleep habits can also contribute to eye swelling or puffiness.
There are many ways toeliminate under-eye bagsand puffiness at home. In cases where the puffiness is lasting or very noticeable, a treatment option like surgery can often successfully reduce the appearance of puffy eyes.
This article discusses medical and home remedies and medical treatments to reduce puffy eyes.
Verywell / Laura Porter
At-Home Treatments for Swollen Eyes
Depending on the cause, you can sometimes treat swollen, puffy eyes at home with the following remedies.
Allergy Medicine
How Long Does It Take Swollen Eyes From Allergies To Go Down?Swelling from allergies can take from several hours to several days to subside.The length of time it takes depends on whether the person is continuously exposed to the allergen.
How Long Does It Take Swollen Eyes From Allergies To Go Down?
Swelling from allergies can take from several hours to several days to subside.The length of time it takes depends on whether the person is continuously exposed to the allergen.
Allergies can cause inflammation that leads to swelling under the eyes. Taking antihistamines can help reduce your allergy symptoms, including eye puffiness. Oral antihistamines can help with all allergies, including eye allergies that might cause swelling and puffiness. Topical antihistamines in the form of eye drops can also help reduce symptoms of eye allergies.
Over-the-Counter (OTC) Creams
Some OTC creams, like those used to treat hemorrhoids, can help reduce the appearance of puffy eyes. Be sure to patch-test any creams before applying them to the sensitive skin around your eyes. Don’t place creams in your eyes, and ensure that creams do not accidentally get into your eyes.
Cold Compress
Cool temperatures can help reduce inflammation, which can lead to under-eyelid swelling and puffiness. However, it is important not to use cold therapy on swollen areas of the body, including the eyes, for too long because studies show that prolonged ice exposure can delay healing.
Teabags
Tea that contains caffeine may help reduce eye puffiness. Chill them before putting them over your eyes for improved effectiveness.Green tea extract has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects and benefits to those with eye diseases like dry eye and allergies affecting the eyes.
Reduce Your Salt Intake
Puffiness can develop due to a diet high in salt, so limiting your salt intake may help reduce some of the swelling under your eyes.
Get Adequate Sleep
You may notice your eyes are puffier on mornings when you’ve been up late or had a rough time sleeping.Improving your sleep hygiene can help prevent eye puffiness. Some ways to improve sleep include the following:
Quit Smoking
Smoking can contribute to the formation and appearance of bags under the eyes. In one study, those who smoke were significantly more likely to notice undereye puffiness.Smoking cessation can prevent the bags from worsening.
Change Sleep Positions
Elevating your head may help prevent fluid build-up that leads to puffy eyes.Try raising the head of your bed slightly. One way to accomplish this is to add a wedge pillow under your regular pillow. You can also add a regular pillow.
Sometimes, at-home treatments aren’t enough to get rid of puffy eyes. For example, if you are developing bags under your eyes due to advancing age, most at-home therapies won’t significantly reverse this sign of aging. And some people are genetically predisposed to getting bags under their eyes. In these instances, medical treatments can provide better results than at-home treatments.
Prescription Medication
Nonsurgical Treatments
Some interventions used for the treatment of puffy eyes include:
Surgical Treatments
Surgery can help in cases when under-eye bags are very pronounced due to aging or genetics. Ablepharoplastyprocedure involves lifting the under-eye area and redistributing fat to tighten the skin.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Sometimes, puffiness can result from an underlying condition, such asthyroid disease. If you’re unsure why you suffer from puffy eyes, it’s time to talk to a healthcare provider.
Some conditions that may cause under-eye swelling and puffiness include:
Most eye swelling associated with a medical condition goes away after treatment. But puffiness doesn’t always indicate worsening problems or complications. You should make an appointment to see your healthcare provider immediately if at-home treatments don’t work or the swelling around your eyes worsens.
And if you have eye swelling as the result of a traumatic injury, seek medical attention right away. If you’re not sure whether your symptoms are serious, here are some signs it’s time to see a healthcare provider:
Puffy Eyes vs. Swollen EyelidsPuffiness around the eyes refers to under-eye swelling. With puffy eyes, the area under the eyes becomes swollen, but the eyelid is not involved. Swollen eyelids may be the result of a serious issue, such as an infection. One or both eyelids may be affected.
Puffy Eyes vs. Swollen Eyelids
Puffiness around the eyes refers to under-eye swelling. With puffy eyes, the area under the eyes becomes swollen, but the eyelid is not involved. Swollen eyelids may be the result of a serious issue, such as an infection. One or both eyelids may be affected.
Summary
13 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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