If you have puffy eyes, you may wake up looking more tired than you did when you went to bed. Puffy eyes can occur as a result of diet, allergies, sleeping on your back or lack of sleep, says the Mayo Clinic. Puffy eyes are not usually serious and can be reduced at home with ice, teabags and extra pillows. If your puffy eyes are accompanied by other symptoms or you are having vision problems or difficulty opening your eyes, consult a doctor as soon as possible.
Step 1
Sleep on your back. Fluid can collect and pool underneath your eyes if you sleep on your side or your stomach, says the Mayo Clinic. If you have trouble staying on your back, rest an extra pillow on either side of your head to help prevent your head from moving back and forth during the night.
Step 2
Prop your head up with an extra pillow while you sleep to help reduce the accumulation of fluid under your eyes, recommends ophthalmologist, Monica L. Monica, M.D., Ph.D. This way, the fluid underneath your eyes will drain out of your face and back into your body.
Step 3
Place a cold, wet washcloth or teabags wrapped in a tissue over the eye area for 10 minutes. Repeat as needed throughout the day to reduce swelling.
Step 4
Cut back on salt, alcohol and caffeine, which can cause fluid retention. When extra fluid is present in the body, it can cause the undereye area to swell, states the Mayo Clinic. Avoid salty snacks, canned soups and canned vegetables to help reduce your sodium intake.
Step 5
Get eyelid surgery to permanantly reduce bags under the eyes. A cosmetic surgeon can perform blepharoplasty, also known as eyelid surgery, to help reduce loose skin and fat underneath the eyes.
Tips and Warnings
- If you do not have a cold compress or teabags, freeze two spoons and place them over your eyes to help reduce swelling.
- Consult a doctor if your baggy eyes are painful or are affecting your vision.
Things You'll Need
- Pillow
- Washcloth
- Teabags
- Tissue
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