Many of us have woken up with dark circles or baggy eyes in the morning, but although they’re common it doesn’t make them any less bothersome. Fortunately, there are both short and long-term solutions to tired swollen eyes. The first thing to do is to get to the root of the problem. If you’re always asking yourself, why are my eyes puffy, it could be due to various causes. This includes fluid retention in the eyes, allergies, stress, and fatigue. What causes puffy eyes can vary from person to person, and they can even be a genetic attribute. The important thing is to learn how to avoid puffy eyes. You could try a few lifestyle changes, or even invest in the best eye cream for bags and puffiness. Here is a quick guide to how to get rid of that redness under your eyes, and some common reasons for puffy eyes.
What causes puffy eyes?
Puffy eyes can be the result of various factors that could cause swelling around the eyes. Swollen eyes, meaning a build up of fluid, can be caused by common allergies and sinus conditions. These produce inflammation in the eyes. If you’ve got a cold or seasonal allergies, you might notice temporarily tired and swollen eyes, for example. Puffy eyes can also be a symptom of certain medical conditions. These include thyroid eye disease and Grave’s disease.
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Lack of sleep, stress, and fatigue can also cause puffy eyes. It’s common to wake up with puffy eyes as we don’t blink during sleep. Certain people are more prone to this than others, but the swelling usually goes down once you’ve been awake for a short while. Sleep deprivation also results in swelling, redness, and dark circles. This is because lack of sleep causes your blood vessels to expand and this increases their appearance. Puffy eyes could, therefore, be a sign that you need more rest.
Too much salt can also result in excess fluid retention in the eyes. If your diet is especially salty, it might be a good idea to cut down. Other lifestyle changes that improve your overall health and energy levels could also help, such as exercise and moderating alcohol and tobacco. Another final cause of puffy eyes is aging. As you get older the membrane holding back fat in the eyelids becomes weaker and this fat pushes forward to form puffiness. Whereas it’s impossible to turn back the hands of time, there are ways to reduce puffiness above the eyes, and those annoying dark circles.
How to reduce puffiness in eyes
There are several effective ways to treat puffy eyes. Often a quick solution to try is some ice or a cold compress. These might help to reduce the swelling. Many people even use cold cucumber slices or teabags. You could also try simply splashing cold water over your face. Sometimes the best thing for puffy eyes is to cool them down. Alternatively, make sure you get plenty of sleep and rest your eyes. This is especially important if you work staring at a screen all day. If you find your eyes are still tired, it could be a sign you need glasses. Speak to an optician or your doctor if you’re concerned about your eyesight.
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If your puffy eyes are caused by allergies, then look into getting some eye drops from your local pharmacy. You will find there are specifically designed drops to reduce the inflammation and irritation caused by common allergies such as hay fever, or reactions to certain foods or chemicals. You could also take antihistamine or other allergy tablets to reduce the symptoms. If your allergies are severe, speak to GP about a more powerful alternative. They’ll be able to help you get to the root of the problem and recommend a suitable solution.
Best eye cream for bags and puffiness
If you’re wondering how else to avoid puffy eyes, you could also invest in one of the best eye creams for bags and puffiness. There are different types of ointments and creams for tired swollen eyes. Look for the active ingredient phenylephrine in medicated ointments which works by constricting blood vessels in the eye. This helps to reduce swelling and the appearance of dark circles. Speak to your doctor before trying any new ointments such as these.
It’s worth investing in a good quality eye cream. The skin around your eyes is more delicate than the rest of your face. This means it needs special care and attention. If you want to know how to avoid puffy eyes, it’s better to get a cream that’s designed for your eyes, as standard moisturiser could even build up and have the opposite effect. If you choose the wrong cream it could, therefore, make the puffiness worse. The best thing for puffy eyes is a decent eye cream. Certain active ingredients to look for are retinol, vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, caffeine, and ceramides. These will help to reduce swelling and freshen up your eyes. A decent eye cream will also work well as a primer for makeup. Here are some of the best eye creams for puffiness in 2021. You can choose the one that best suits your needs and budget.
While there are several possible reasons for puffy eyes, there are also many effective solutions. To determine which solution will work best for you, you need to get to the heart of the problem. Speak to a doctor or optician to identify the cause of your swollen, tired, or irritated eyes. They’ll then be able to recommend the most effective treatment. If you’re concerned about your eyesight, or simply getting sick of baggy eyes in the morning, make an appointment with a reputable optician, such as Belson Opticians. You’ll be able to get friendly and professional guidance from the experts. At Belson Opticians we are committed to eye care. If you would like to learn more about how to get rid of puffy eyes, contact us for help and advice.