Eye bags have a variety of causes, including sinus congestion, genetics, excessive consumption of alcohol, fluid retention, high sodium intake and stress. Although eye bags caused by aging and genetics can't usually be helped with home remedies, surgical options are available to minimize their appearance. Most eye bags are removable with lifestyle and dietary changes, application of cold compresses, and treatment of underlying health conditions.
Cold Compresses
EyeCareBasics recommends filling a plastic zipper bag with ice, wrapping it in a hand towel or washcloth, and laying it over puffy eye areas. Cold tea bags or slices of cold potato or cucumber are also effective in reducing puffiness when left in place for 15 to 30 minutes. If you're not wearing cosmetics, fill a sink or bowl with ice water and continuously splash your eye area for several minutes to reduce swelling. Cold compresses work to remove eye bags by shrinking dilated blood vessels under the eyes to reduce discoloration, according to MayoClinic.com.
Drink Less Alcohol, Reduce Sodium, Elevate Your Head During Sleep
Drink alcohol in moderation and reduce the amount of sodium in your diet. Both of these can contribute to eye bags. If your eye puffiness is most severe first thing in the morning, elevating your head during sleep may be helpful. Try sleeping propped up on pillows in a semi-upright position, or raise the head of your bed several inches by placing wooden blocks beneath the front feet of your bed frame. Increasing the number of hours you sleep each night and wearing dark sunglasses when you are outside may also prevent and treat dark eye bags.
Eliminate Congestion
Sinus and nasal congestion are common causes of eye bags, and treating the underlying problem often removes puffiness completely. The National Institutes of Health recommends treating nasal congestion by using saline nose drops, running a humidifier inside your home, or taking over-the-counter nasal decongestants and antihistamines. Sinus congestion due to viral infections typically responds to the same treatment methods as nasal congestion. Sinus infections may require a course of antibiotics and treatment with corticosteroid nasal sprays, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Apply Witch Hazel, Eye Creams
Applying cotton pads soaked in witch hazel to eye bags and performing daily eye exercises may help remove puffiness, according to EyeCareBasics.com. Move your eyes in a clockwise circular motion, then repeat the motion going counterclockwise. MayoClinic.com says that under-eye creams containing retinol and vitamins C, E and K may also help treat eye bags.
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