Puffy eyes give you the appearance of having a rough night, even if you had plenty of sleep. If you suffer from swollen, drooping bags under your eyes, it is probably no cause for concern and does not require treatment from a doctor, states the Mayo Clinic. Instead, use a home remedy to make your eyes look refreshed. With a few items from around the house, you can make puffy, swollen eyes a thing of the past.
Step 1
Elevate your head while sleeping. Before you go to bed, prop an extra pillow under your head to raise your head and neck. The new alignment of your head will help encourage drainage, reducing fluid accumulation under the eyes, states the Mayo Clinic.
Step 2
Cut back on salty foods. Foods that contain excess salt, such as pickles, potato chips and canned soups, can cause fluid retention under the eye area, states Marianne O'Donoghue, M.D., associate professor of dermatology at Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center.
Step 3
Wrap two cool, wet black teabags in tissues and apply them directly to the eyelids and under-eye area, suggests Dr. O'Donoghue. Black tea contains tannins, which reduce swelling. Without the tissues, the teabag may stain your skin.
Step 4
Limit exposure to allergens. An allergic reaction causes histamine buildup, which can cause fluid to accumulate in the under-eye area. To reduce swelling due to allergies, take an antihistamine and avoid allergens when possible.
Step 5
Place a cold compress over your eyes for several minutes. Wet a washcloth in cold water and place it over the eye area. Continue to rinse the washcloth in cold water when it gets warm, then reapply until the swelling is gone.
Tips and Warnings
- Rubbing your eyes will make them puffier and more swollen.
- Consult a doctor if your eyes are so swollen that you are having vision problems or cannot open your eyes.
Things You'll Need
- Pillow
- Teabags
- Tissues
- Antihistamine
- Washcloth
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