Puffy Eyes: Meaning, Symptoms, Causes & Treatments

The skin around your eyes is extremely sensitive and thin. Any underlying health conditions or lifestyle changes can swell this skin and lead to puffy eyes. Although puffy eyes are not chronic conditions that threaten one's overall health, knowing about them may help you understand the underlying causes and when to seek a doctor's help.

Puffy eyes are caused due to excessive retention of fluid in the soft tissues around your eyes. It is often a common symptom of infection, allergy, physical irritation or inflammation.

Here are some of the symptoms of puffy eyes:

• Mild swelling
• Dark circles
• Loose or saggy skin

Mentioned below are some of the causes of getting puffy eyes:

• Diet: Certain foods and drinks you incorporate into your diet may cause puffy eyes. Some foods and drinks with high amounts of sodium cause fluid retention in your body and can swell the tissue around your eyes. Fast foods, processed foods, carbonated drinks, alcoholic drinks, and sauces have high amounts of sodium. So, if you have puffy eyes, it is advisable to stay away from these foods. Moreover, cooking food at home, properly rinsing canned foods, etc., are some tips you must follow to avoid getting puffy eyes.
• Genetics: If several members of your family have puffy eyes, then it is likely that you may inherit this condition and have puffy eyes like them.
• Allergies: Allergies like seasonal allergies or other severe allergic reactions may cause puffy eyes. They can lead to a buildup of fluids around your eyes and sinuses. Some common allergens can trigger allergies like dust, pet dander, mould, wheat, chemicals, foods, etc. Besides allergens and other irritants, be careful using specific tropic treatments such as creams or cosmetics around your eyes. Such items may include substances that can irritate your eyes and cause puffiness. Additionally, ensure that you wear protective eyewear when spraying certain chemicals or cosmetic sprays on your face.
• Ageing: As you grow older, the collagen in your skin that provides firmness and elasticity loses. This occurs all over your body, and your eyes are no exception. The skin around your eyes is delicate and may show the loss of collagen more prominently than other parts of your body. Moreover, the ageing of muscles around your eyes also causes tissues to sag. When tissues become saggy, the underlying fat layer bulges out and creates puffiness around your eyes.
• Improper Sleep: When you do not sleep properly, you may find that your eyes appear puffy the next morning. Improper sleep can also cause red eyes, droopy eyelids, and dark circles under your eyes. Lack of sleep makes the muscle around your eyes weak. Besides, it also causes collagen loss under your eyes. This ultimately leads to fluid retention beneath your eyes, making them swell up.
• Smoking: Smoking cigarettes, cigars or shisha can irritate your eyes. You may experience allergic reactions to third-hand and second-hand smoke. This can lead to puffiness under your eyes. Quit smoking and avoid second-hand smoke to prevent puffy eyes. Keep surfaces clean if you are sensitive to smoke particles left over the surface. Wash your clothes and hair properly after being near the people who smoke.
• Crying: This is one of the most common causes of puffy eyes. Crying leads to fluid retention around the eyes and causes puffy eyes for a short duration which goes away on its own.
• Infections: Eye infections like a stye, pink eye, etc. can cause puffiness under your eyes. Infection usually occurs in one eye and later spreads to another one. Do not rub or touch your infected eyes. Furthermore, if you consult a doctor for treatment, they may prescribe an antibiotic treatment to cure the infection.
• Blocked Tear Duct: The function of your tear duct is to drain away natural water and tears from your eyes. If these tear ducts are blocked, the fluid gets retained around the eyes and causes puffiness around the eyes. A blockage can occur due to makeup particles, infection or injury to the eyes.
• Graves' Diseases: This disease is caused when your Thyroid glands fail to balance your Thyroid hormones. It may also happen when you consume too much Thyroid medication. So, if you suffer from this condition, you may likely develop puffiness under your eyes.
• Mononucleosis: Mononucleosis is an infection caused by a virus. This infection may cause under-eyes swelling. Saliva, coughs or sneezes can transmit this infection.
• Eye Injury: A minor scratch from a fingernail, getting hit around or on the eyes, or any kind of injury to the eyes may cause puffiness.

Your doctor can diagnose puffy eyes by conducting a physical exam. Moreover, they may ask you a few questions, including about any creams you apply around your eyes, any exposure to pollutants or chemicals, etc. 

Besides, they may check your allergy and health history. If your doctor thinks puffiness under your eyes is caused due to exposure to pollutants or allergens, they may conduct a physical examination using eye examination equipment. 

However, if your doctor finds that swollen under-eyes are caused due to less obvious reasons, then they may conduct a few tests. Such tests include – a blood test to determine the level of electrolytes, liver or kidney function, inflammatory conditions, and imaging tests such as MRI and CT scans.

Puffy eyes usually do not need treatment as they are harmless. However, there are some treatments for puffy eyes that can cure them, and they are listed below:

Surgical Options

Blepharoplasty is an outpatient process. In this surgical process, a surgeon readjusts your lower eye area's fat layer and tightens the skin and muscle to give it a smooth look. Mostly, patients get rid of puffy eyes after undergoing this surgical process. However, in some cases, patients may need several therapies, such as combining Laser resurfacing with an eyelid lift or fillers.

Non-surgical Options

Listed below are some of the non-surgical treatments for puffy eyes:

• Laser Resurfacing: In this treatment, a doctor uses a Laser to eliminate the surface layers of wrinkled skin beneath your eye area to promote new collagen growth and provide a more tightened skin. Results can stay for years, although they are based on your sun exposure and skin type.
• Filler: In this process, a doctor puts a filler material where the cheek and under-eye area meets. It is a jelly-like material known as hyaluronic acid and is performed under local anaesthesia. Results of this treatment can last for 6 to 12 months.
• Chemical Peel: A chemical peel removes the superficial top layer under your eyes. In this treatment, an in-office chemical solution is applied that dissolves old skin cells. This gives a firmer and brighter skin. The lasting capacity of this treatment's result depends on your sun exposure and skin type.

If you occasionally wake up with puffy eyes, follow some remedies at home to quickly fix them:

• Cold Compresses: Cooling the puffy area reduces the blood flow and decreases swelling and inflammation under your eyes. You can put chilled cucumber slices, an ice pack, or anything cold over your closed eyes for a few minutes.
• Caffeine: Caffeine helps to constrict blood vessels. You can either apply creams that have caffeine as an ingredient or put chilled caffeinated black tea on closed eyes.
• Haemorrhoid Creams: You may apply over-the-counter creams used for Haemorrhoid treatment beneath your eye area. Ingredients like Phenylephrine constrict blood vessels and lessen swelling. However, use this product carefully as such creams can irritate a sensitive skin area. Additionally, use them carefully to prevent them from getting into your eyes.

Take a look at a few tips mentioned below to prevent puffy eyes:

• Reduce Consumption of Fluids Before Sleeping: Decreasing fluid consumption before bedtime will decrease fluid retention and prevent puffiness under your eyes.
• Avoid Smoking: If you smoke, then it can further increase the puffiness under your eyes. Therefore, it is advisable to quit smoking to get rid of this condition.
• Sleep Properly: You should get adequate sleep, for at least 7 to 9 hours, to wake up the next morning without puffy eyes. Besides, sleep by slightly raising your head. You can elevate your mattress's head or add an extra pillow. Alternatively, you can raise the head of your bed by a few inches. Doing this can prevent fluid accumulation around your eyes while you sleep.

Though puffy eyes may seem annoying, it is not a life-threatening condition. Following some tips can improve them. However, if you have applied home remedies or made lifestyle changes and still have not seen any improvement in puffiness under your eyes, seek a healthcare provider's guidance for a more thorough checkup.