Puffy eyelids or swelling of your upper and lower lids can occur for a variety of reasons. Health Services at Columbia University explains that most cases of puffy eyelids are of little or no concern and often come and go on their own. Some of the most common causes of puffiness include crying, allergies and sleeping position. Relieving puffy eyelids requires the use of topical treatments to combat the swelling and a few lifestyle changes that will reduce future instances of puffiness.
Step 1
Slip an extra pillow or two under your head when you go to bed at night. Contrary to what many people think, puffy eyelids do not develop due to lack of sleep. Instead, swelling occurs when fluid collects under the thin skin of your eyes. Thanks to gravity, this is more likely to occur when you lie horizontally.
Step 2
Apply a slice of chilled cucumber to each eyelid or use sliced potatoes. Keep the cool slices on your closed eyelids for 10 to 15 minutes. The coolness of either one can reduce puffiness and brighten the skin underneath your eye area. Dark circles under your eyes usually go hand in hand with puffy eyelids.
Step 3
Drink water to reduce your puffy eyelids. Vanderbilt University recommends drinking at least eight 8 oz. glasses of water each day. Keeping yourself hydrated can foil your body's attempt to retain water, which can cause your eyelids and other parts of your body to swell.
Tips and Warnings
- Substitute cold milk for cucumbers or potatoes if you have none available. Saturate a clean washcloth with the cold milk and rest the washcloth on your closed eyelids for 10 to 15 minutes. Repeat until swelling goes down.
- Eliminate caffeine from your diet. The caffeine found in soda, coffee, chocolate and tea can exacerbate swelling. Visit your doctor if your puffy eyelids do not resolve or become increasingly worse. She may be able to prescribe a medication that can relieve your swelling symptoms, especially if they occur due to allergies.
Things You'll Need
- Extra pillow or two
- Chilled cucumber or potato slices
- Eight 8 oz. glasses of water
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