Puffy eyelids are unattractive and can cause you to look older than you are. It's usually a temporary condition that is caused by irritation from allergies, lack of sleep, or fluid collecting in your eyelids because of dehydration. Women are more prone to puffiness from hormonal changes due to pregnancy and menstruation.
Avoid Allergens
Allergies are a frequent cause of puffy eyes. They can also cause dark circles under your eyes, making your face look even more exhausted. Seasonal allergies, hayfever and allergies to dust and mold can make your eyes itch and swell. Rubbing itchy eyes can worsen the swelling. Wash your bedding regularly to get rid of dust and dust mites. If you use down pillows or comforters on your bed, switch to synthetic fillers and fibers that collect less dust. Washing your eyes with warm or cool water before bed and right after you wake up can help clean out some of the allergens that are making your eyelids swell.
Get Adequate Sleep
If your eyelids are puffy in the morning, sleep deprivation could be the cause. It could be that you're not getting enough sleep, or that your sleep is interrupted and poor. Oversleeping can also cause your eyelids to swell. The National Sleep Foundation claims adults need seven to nine hours of sleep each night, although this varies from person to person. Try going to bed earlier to remedy your puffy eyelids.
Avoid Fluid Retention
Fluid retention can cause your eyelids to swell. Fluid retention is caused by dehydration, eating too much salt or drinking too many fluids right before bed. The skin around your eyes is soft and loose, which causes it to fill up with fluid as you sleep in a horizontal position. If your eyelids are puffy every morning, try reducing your salt intake. Avoid drinking anything for two hours before bed, and avoid drinking alcohol, which causes your body to dehydrate.
Change Your Sleeping Position
When you lie down, gravity makes the fluid in your body move to your eyes. Try sleeping with an extra pillow to raise your head and keep the fluids out of your face.
Home Remedies
Most eyelid puffiness can be alleviated with home remedies. Use a cold or ice eye mask, press a cold washcloth to your eyes, or put some ice cubes in a towel and hold them to your eyes for a few minutes. Black tea contains tannin which acts as an astringent, so pressing cold, wet teabags on your eyes can help tighten the skin. Cold chamomile teabags help soothe irritation. Cool vegetable slices such as apple, cucumber or potato are also popular home remedies for puffy eyelids. Lie down, place the vegetable slices on your eyes, and rest for about 10 minutes. Applying hemorrhoid cream around your eyes also helps reduce puffiness.
Call The Doctor
If your eye puffiness and irritation is very severe or lasts for several weeks, talk to your doctor in case another condition, such as rosacea or a thyroid problem, is causing your eyelids to swell. Go to the doctor immediately if you can't open or close your eyes, or if one eye is puffy and the other is not.
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