The nature of eyelid swelling can be inflammatory or non-inflammatory. Inflammatory edema is associated with severe redness of the skin, local fever, and pain when pressed. Often, palpation of the edematous eyelid may reveal pain and induration (with barley, dacryocystitis, furunculosis, erysipelas). Non-inflammatory swelling of the eyelids is characteristic of diseases of the cardiovascular system or kidneys, and is always bilateral, more pronounced in the morning and almost always combined with swelling of the legs or ascites.
How to remove swelling from the eyelids?
Swelling occurs due to the accumulation of a large volume of fluid in the intercellular space. The skin around the eyes is the thinnest.
In this article
- How to remove swelling from the eyelids?
- The most common causes of eyelid swelling
- How to relieve swelling of the eyelids after drinking alcohol?
- Eyelids are swollen after tattooing - what to do?
- How to remove swelling from the upper eyelid using folk remedies?
- How does massage help remove swelling from the upper eyelids?
- How else can you remove swelling from your eyelids?
Because of this, swelling appears on the eyelids or under the eye sockets. Other parts of the body also swell, but on the face it becomes immediately noticeable. Swelling of the eyelid or eye is not only a cosmetic problem. This symptom may signal the development of a disease, not necessarily related to the organs of vision. Let's look at all the possible causes of eyelid swelling and find out how to remove them.
Characteristics of acquired ptosis
The manifestation of the disease is often directly related to age-related changes in the body. In this case, the process proceeds unevenly, first one fold falls, then the second, and asymmetry may remain. Treatment of this type of disease is carried out exclusively by surgery. It is advisable to seek help at the initial stage. If complications arise from the excessive use of botulinum toxin drugs or the technology of its administration is violated, the muscles do not ensure the outflow of lymph, which provokes its accumulation, leading to large-scale edema.
The problem may arise due to individual intolerance to the drug and the unprofessionalism of the cosmetologist. In this case, it is necessary not only to correct the consequences, but also to select high-quality care products that will help speed up regeneration and stop age-related changes. A specialist will tell you how to get rid of ptosis of the face and upper eyelid after a full examination and tests. You should not rely on chance, since with advanced pathology, vision is impaired and strabismus occurs.
What causes swelling of the eyelids and what should be done to relieve it?
Swelling may occur in one eye or both. In such cases, they speak of unilateral or bilateral edema, respectively. Most often the upper eyelids swell. This can happen for various reasons - pathological and non-pathological. The first group of factors includes eye diseases and diseases of other organs. Swelling of the eyelids is almost always observed with the development of inflammatory ophthalmopathologies. Among them:
- keratitis;
- blepharitis;
- conjunctivitis;
- iridocyclitis;
- barley.
The eyelids also swell with some systemic ailments - diseases of the kidneys, liver, blood vessels, diabetes mellitus, allergies, abdominal dropsy. Swelling of the upper eyelid is a very common symptom that cannot be called specific. It is difficult to determine from this sign alone whether it is a consequence of any pathology. However, often the eyelids swell for reasons that are not related to disease.
Why can the eyelid of only one eye swell?
Most ophthalmological pathologies (especially those caused by pathogenic microorganisms) are bilateral - both organs of vision are affected at once.
But swelling of the upper eyelid can sometimes appear only in the left or right eye. often occurs due to colds of infectious origin .
It is worth noting! This is also a characteristic sign of allergic dermatitis, which occurs when an allergen comes into direct contact with the skin.
Typically, swelling of one eye that occurs in the upper eyelid spreads further along the face, but it may not spread to the other half of the face.
The most common cause of unilateral swelling is injury or insect bites - that is, local damage that does not spread further along the surface.
Such swelling is always short-lived and, with first aid and symptomatic therapy, disappears within a few days.
The most common causes of eyelid swelling
Swelling of the eyelids appears due to hormonal imbalances, as a result of visual fatigue, injury, after an insect bite, due to prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation on the eyes and skin.
In some cases, swelling occurs briefly after taking certain medications. However, the most common causes of edema are:
- alcohol consumption;
- poor nutrition;
- tattoo;
- overwork.
Let's look at these reasons in more detail and list ways that help quickly remove swelling.
Causes of ptosis of the upper eyelid
The term comes from a Greek word and means “overhanging or falling.”
The low location of the movable skin fold reduces the field of vision or completely disrupts it on the altered side. In this case, the anomaly can be congenital or acquired. It is considered normal if the cornea is covered by approximately 0.5-2 mm. If a muscle is atrophied or weakened, pathology occurs. Correct diagnosis allows the doctor to choose an adequate control strategy using therapeutic or surgical methods. The most common are:
- weakening of muscles;
- age-related gravitational changes;
- nerve ending paralysis;
- endocrine and other diseases;
- disruptions in the nervous system.
Among the reasons are diabetes mellitus and incorrect Botox injections.
How to relieve swelling of the eyelids after drinking alcohol?
After drinking alcohol-containing drinks in large quantities, not only the eyelids, but also the entire face swells. With chronic alcoholism, swelling occurs in the legs and arms, which already indicates the development of severe pathologies of internal organs. The main cause of edema is the inability of the liver to process ethyl alcohol into components that would be harmless to the body. Also, swelling may indicate poor functioning of the urinary system, which leads to fluid stagnation.
Swelling usually goes away within a day or 24 hours. The speed of recovery depends on several factors:
- amount of alcohol consumed;
- frequency of drinking alcoholic beverages;
- person's age;
- condition of internal organs;
- genetic characteristics;
- body weight.
Edema can also occur in people who rarely drink. It depends on the body. Sometimes a feast cannot be avoided. Many people drink alcohol at corporate events and then have to go to work the next day. In the morning you saw that your face and eyelids were swollen, and you somehow needed to leave the house. What to do in this case? Women who are more concerned about this problem than men can hide puffiness under makeup. In principle, swelling will go away on its own within one or two days. It is only necessary to restore the balance of salts and fluids in the body, as well as get enough sleep.
Causes of “bags” in the eye area
Globally, there are four reasons why swelling under the eyes occurs: inflammation, disruption of internal organs, allergies, and trauma. These reasons include:
- Improper drinking regime or distribution of fluid in the body.
For example, you should not drink a lot of water at night. Also, swollen eyelids in the morning are a consequence of a lack of water: the body makes reserves, including in the area around the eyes. - Sleeping in the wrong position.
If the head does not lie higher than the body, some of the fluid in the body will linger in the eyelid area. - Overexertion, stress, chronic fatigue, constant lack of sleep.
They can affect your appearance. - Excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, poor diet.
These bad habits lead to uneven distribution of fluid in the body and cause many diseases, including liver and kidneys. - Ophthalmological diseases.
This can be blepharitis (inflammation of the edge of the eyelid), conjunctivitis (inflammation of the mucous surface of the eye), barley. - Problems of the cardiovascular system.
The appearance of edema can be provoked by: hypertension, high permeability of the vascular walls, including in the eye area, heart failure, etc. - General diseases of the body.
These include tuberculosis (the tuberculosis bacillus first affects the lungs, and then can also affect the eyes), kidney disease (the body does not remove water, it accumulates, including in the area around the eyes), liver disease, diabetes, Quincke's edema, or even ordinary colds and allergies. - Improper skin care around the eyes.
Swollen eyelids occur in those who use low-quality cosmetics or do not wash them off before bed. - Age-related changes.
With age, the skin becomes thinner, including in the eyelid area. - Long work at the computer.
This problem is familiar to many modern people. - Eye injury.
These situations are more common in production, but can also happen in everyday life. - Congenital characteristics and heredity.
Some people have naturally too thin skin and loose fatty tissue. - Insect bites.
Eyelids swell in the morning - what is the reason and how to remove the swelling?
If your eyelids are swollen after sleep, most likely the reason for this is poor nutrition. A late dinner consisting of smoked or too salty foods makes you thirsty.
A person drinks one or two extra glasses of water before bed, and wakes up in the morning with a swollen face. Usually there are bags or bruises under the eyes. Some people experience swelling of the upper eyelids. Also causes of swelling can be:
- lack of sleep;
- cosmetics that are not washed off before bed;
- smoking;
- overwork;
- stress;
- cry.
All these factors are not associated with diseases, so you can eliminate swelling yourself at home. You can quickly relieve swelling caused by the above reasons using cosmetic procedures, massage, ice and other means, which we will discuss later.
Symptoms
Swelling of the eyes is a symptom in itself. But sometimes it is accompanied by other conditions:
- increased lacrimation;
- burning or pain in the eyes;
- burning, redness, rash, or other discoloration of the skin of the eyelids;
- redness of the conjunctiva of the eyes;
- pain and discomfort that occurs when touching the eyelids;
- general malaise, increased body temperature;
- enlarged lymph nodes behind the ears;
- seals and pimples on the eyelid;
- swelling of the entire face.
All of these conditions are associated with a disease that provoked swelling, and usually indicate the presence of an allergy or an inflammatory process caused by an infection.
Eyelids are swollen after tattooing - what to do?
Tattooing is a cosmetic procedure that is very popular today. It is performed in beauty salons only by qualified specialists. Usually, materials that are safe for health are used, so tattooing does not cause side effects. However, no one is safe from them either.
The causes of eyelid swelling after tattooing can be:
- failure to comply with the cosmetologist’s instructions after the procedure;
- use of low quality pigment;
- too dry or thin skin;
- allergic reaction to dye;
- infection under the skin.
Eyelid or eyebrow tattooing is performed using a cosmetic instrument that comes into contact with the skin. Dye is injected underneath it. In this case, the integrity of the skin is compromised. As already noted, facial skin is very thin and sensitive. Any irritating factor can cause swelling under the eyes or on the eyelids. There is a risk of developing an inflammatory process, which is, of course, rare if the procedure is performed in a good salon.
Tissues react to the pigment as if it were a foreign body. Slight swelling is normal after insertion. Also, some patients complain of pain, itching, redness of the eyelids or eyebrows. However, there should not be severe swelling. Temporary swelling subsides during the first 24 hours after the procedure. If this does not happen, you need to consult a doctor.
How to remove swelling in such cases? It is not recommended to eliminate the symptom yourself until a specialist determines the cause of its occurrence.
Which doctor should I contact to remove bags under my eyes?
People who regularly face the problem of puffiness strive to get rid of it mainly for aesthetic reasons. Therefore, first of all, they begin to use creams, masks and decorative cosmetics. If this does not help, the patient can contact a cosmetologist. But it only removes external manifestations, without understanding the causes of the pathology.
If swelling appears (if it occurs regularly or is accompanied by additional symptoms: itching, redness of the eyes), it is better to first consult an ophthalmologist. He will conduct an examination and, if necessary, refer you for additional examination or to another specialist to identify the causes of the pathology.
How to remove swelling of the eyelids?
Swelling from the eyelid can be eliminated at home, in a clinic or in a salon. It all depends on what is causing the symptom, whether you have the time and money or not. If the nature of the swelling is pathological, then you first need to see a doctor. Typically, swelling of the eyelids as a symptom of the development of an eye disease is accompanied by the following signs:
- hyperemia or pallor;
- transillumination of blood vessels;
- lacrimation;
- itching and burning;
- thickening of the cartilage of the eyelid;
- pain;
- discharge of mucus or pus.
If you have several of these symptoms, you should see an ophthalmologist. It is dangerous to relieve swelling from the eyelid using folk remedies or medicines that are in your home medicine cabinet. The disease may become more complicated. If you are sure that swelling of the eyelid is not a consequence of the development of the disease, you can use the recipes of the so-called traditional medicine. Let's find out what you can urgently do to get rid of puffiness.
Treatment depending on the causes
eyelid swelling symptomatically , trying only to eliminate this symptom.
Attention! It is necessary to accurately diagnose the cause of the development of such a disorder and deal with this problem - if adequate treatment is prescribed, the swelling will quickly go away without taking special measures.
Regardless of the disease, the doctor can prescribe external decongestants - creams or ointments, which in most cases can quickly eliminate the symptom.
But in addition to their application, you should follow a course that involves the use of certain medications for various pathologies.
For barley
Infrequently, the upper eyelid may swell with a stye (sometimes such an abscess appears above the eye, although most often it forms on the lower eyelid).
The most rational thing to do with such a disease is to wait until the abscess opens on its own.
But in addition warming can be used anti-inflammatory drugs can also be used throughout the entire treatment period .
It’s worse if the stye develops not from the outside, but from the inside of the eyelid - in this case, ointments are applied from its inside, which can cause painful and uncomfortable sensations.
Also in such cases, ophthalmic solutions are instilled (not only anti-inflammatory, but also disinfecting, since if the abscess is opened, its contents fall on the mucous membrane and can cause inflammation).
How to remove swelling from the upper eyelid using folk remedies?
You can quickly get rid of swelling of the eyelids with the help of lotions, compresses and face masks. They do not cure diseases, but help soothe the skin and muscles, which promotes the outflow of excess fluid. On the Internet you can find many recipes that are used to relieve swelling of the eyelids. Let's list some of them:
- Cold. Everyone has ice cubes in their refrigerator. They need to be wrapped in gauze or bandage and applied to closed eyelids for 1-2 minutes. The eyes should not be too cold. It is better to apply ice to the eyelids intermittently.
- Carrot. Make a mask from the grated vegetable. You can apply it not only to the upper eyelids, but also to the skin under the eyes, the bridge of the nose, and cheekbones.
- Flax seeds. They need to be filled with hot water and left overnight. The resulting broth is filtered. Lotions are made from it and applied to the eyelids for 10-15 minutes. This remedy is believed to help with swelling and inflammation. However, if there is an inflammatory process, it should be treated by a doctor.
- Tea with mint. Tea may have a decongestant effect. Tea compresses are applied to the eyes for 15-20 minutes. Instead of tea leaves, you can also use plants such as chamomile, calendula, thyme, fireweed, and sage.
- Chilled milk. Tampons are moistened in it and left on the upper eyelids for 20-25 minutes. Also, some supporters of traditional medicine suggest using other dairy products - cottage cheese or sour cream.
- Raw potatoes. It can be cut into circles or grated on a fine grater to make compresses.
- Egg white. It has an astringent effect. Apply to eyelids for 15-20 minutes, then wash off with warm water. Daily use of eggs in this way helps smooth out wrinkles on the eyelids.
These products help to slightly eliminate swelling. There are more effective methods. Let's find out how to remove swelling from the upper eyelids using massage.
How does massage help remove swelling from the upper eyelids?
If your upper eyelids are swollen after sleep or due to alcohol consumption, you can do a lymphatic drainage massage.
Similar services are provided in salons. The massage is performed with hands or a special device. Massaging the eyelids helps improve blood circulation and fluid outflow. After just one session, which lasts 15-20 minutes, the swelling noticeably subsides. Not everyone has the opportunity to visit expensive salons. If you urgently need a massage to quickly relieve swelling from the upper eyelids, perform it according to the following algorithm:
- wash your hands and face with soap;
- apply moisturizer or oil to the skin;
- Using your middle and index fingers, massage your upper eyelids in a circular motion from the outer corner of your eyes to the inner corner;
- apply a few light pressures to the eyeballs and pat the skin around them with your hands;
- Massage your eyelids, temples, and eyebrows in a circular motion.
The massage should be completed with a contrast wash. If you do it daily, swelling will rarely appear. However, it is necessary to consult a doctor before performing this procedure, as there are contraindications to it:
- eye injuries;
- postoperative period;
- chronic ophthalmopathologies;
- inflammatory diseases of the eyelids and eyes;
- cataract;
- glaucoma;
- retinal detachment.
Do not forget that swelling of the eyelids as a symptom of any illness can only be treated under the guidance of a doctor, so as not to aggravate the situation. You can resort to folk remedies and massage only if it is approved by a specialist, and swelling rarely occurs and is not due to disease.
Will eye exercises help remove swelling?
Special exercises to relax the eye muscles will help relieve swelling if it is not caused by illness. Eye exercises increase blood circulation and oxygen supply to tissues. This also helps eliminate swelling, although not as effective as lymphatic drainage massage. If desired, you can use several treatment methods at the same time.
Try the following exercises:
- move your eyeballs in different directions;
- close your eyes tightly and open your eyes wide, repeating this algorithm 5 times;
- massage the upper eyelids with your fingers from the bridge of the nose to the outer corner of the eyes and back;
- pull the lower eyelid up and relax, then repeat this with the second eyelid.
You can use other sets of exercises. It is better for your doctor to choose it for you, especially if you have vision problems. Gymnastics may be contraindicated in case of refractive errors, for which special exercises are selected. You should also not do exercises if you have inflammatory eye diseases, retinal pathologies, increased intraocular pressure and some other diseases.
How else can you remove swelling from your eyelids?
For swelling, physiotherapeutic procedures may be prescribed. Some of them are available only in paid clinics. This method of treatment is the most effective of those listed. In several sessions of physiotherapy, it is possible not only to relieve swelling, but also to smooth out wrinkles, increase skin and muscle tone, and improve blood circulation in the eye area. The following procedures are applied:
- myostimulation;
- electrical stimulation;
- fractional thermolysis;
- cryotherapy.
There are contraindications to this treatment, so you will have to undergo an examination before the procedures.
What happens if swelling is not treated?
Some people's eyelids always seem swollen, which is due to their structure or some congenital defect. In most cases, swelling goes away on its own without treatment. If swelling on the face is a frequent symptom that worries you, you need to make an appointment with an ophthalmologist. Pathological edema can, if left untreated, lead to the development of complications, including glaucoma. Also, constant swelling of the eyelids, if they block the pupil, can affect vision.
Prevention of edema includes the following rules:
- balanced diet, consumption of a small amount of salt and volume of water corresponding to body weight;
- rejection of bad habits;
- normal mode of work, rest and sleep;
- timely treatment of all diseases.
Swelling of the eyelids seems to be a harmless symptom, but if it occurs, it is better not to take risks and not to self-medicate, but to visit a doctor.
Puffiness under the eyes: diagnosis
The doctor usually determines the cause of swelling through questioning and examination. But sometimes other types of diagnostics may be required:
- Ultrasound of the abdominal cavity, kidneys, eyes;
- blood test for the presence of inflammation in the body, the content of basic electrolytes in the blood, the concentration of hormones, etc.;
- urine analysis for protein, bilirubin, the content of red blood cells and leukocytes, etc. - this analysis allows, among other things, to evaluate the functioning of the liver and kidneys;
- electrocardiogram - it is necessary to detect heart failure;
- visometry - used to assess visual acuity and light perception;
- tonometry, that is, determination of intraocular pressure;
- ophthalmoscopy, that is, determining the condition of the retina;
- radiography of the orbit - necessary to exclude a fracture of the orbital wall and other conditions;
- laboratory tests for chlamydia, HPV, etc.
