If you’re suffering from seasonal allergies, eyes can become more puffy than usual, says the Mayo Clinic. Additionally, puffy eyes may be caused by water retention, due to eating salty foods or drinking alcohol, says Mary Rose Almasi in “Good Housekeeping.” To reduce puffy eyes permanently, pinpoint the cause of your puffy eyes. In most cases, puffy eyes are not serious and do not require the care of a doctor.
Cold Compress
Puffy eyes can be caused by allergies, lack of sleep or water retention. To help reduce swelling under the eye area, apply a cold compress to the skin. Rinse a washcloth in cold water, then wring the water out and apply the cloth to the under eye area, recommends the Mayo Clinic. If you do not have a washcloth, rinse two teabags in cold water, then wrap each teabag in a tissue and place one over each eye. Leave the cold compress on the skin for about ten minutes until swelling goes down.
Antihistamine
When the body is exposed to an allergen, histamines are released throughout the body, which may cause swelling. To treat swelling underneath the eyes due to allergies, take an over-the-counter or prescription antihistamine. Your doctor may prescribe a stronger antihistamine if your allergies do not respond to an over-the-counter treatment. To permanently eliminate puffy eyes due to allergies, avoid the allergen altogether.
Eyelid Surgery
To treat puffy eyes due to heredity or aging, your doctor may recommend eyelid surgery. Bags under the eyes occur when the skin becomes less elastic and gravity pulls it downwards. Eyelid surgery, also known as blepharoplasty, is performed by a cosmetic surgeon and involves trimming of excess skin. The eyelid is then pulled taut and sewn up. Eyelid surgery is a permanent solution to bags underneath the eyes due to aging, but it will not help bags under the eyes due to water retention or allergies.
About this Author
Madison Whitfield has been a freelance writer and editor since 2006. She has written hundreds of health, fitness, travel, beauty and grooming articles for numerous print and Internet publications. Whitfield earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from New York University, where she studied writing.
