Bags under the eyes can add years to your appearance and make you look like you haven't slept in days. If you have noticed the skin underneath your eyes looking puffy, it may be caused by age, heredity or fluid retention in the eye area, says the Health Services of Columbia University. Bags under the eyes are not a serious condition and can usually be reduced at home. For more drastic results, a dermatologist can perform a surgical procedure to get rid of bags under the eyes permanently.
Step 1
Sleep on your back with your head propped up. The Mayo Clinic recommends sleeping with several pillows to help elevate your head to reduce the accumulation of fluids underneath your eyes. Additionally, sleeping on your back can help prevent fluid from pooling under one eye.
Step 2
Wet a washcloth with cold water and apply it to the puffy under-eye area for several minutes, suggests Marianne O'Donoghue, M.D., associate professor of dermatology at Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center. A cold compress can temporarily reduce puffiness and swelling underneath the eyes.
Step 3
Take an antihistamine. When your body is exposed to allergies, histamines are released, which can cause swelling underneath the eyes. To temporarily relieve swollen eyes due to allergies, take an over-the-counter antihistamine according to the label's directions exactly.
Step 4
Get an allergy test in order to avoid environmental and food allergens. An allergist can perform a scratch test to determine which foods and environments you are allergic to, if any.
Step 5
Consult a doctor about eyelid surgery if your puffy eyes are due to age or heredity. If home remedies and over-the-counter treatments don't help reduce the appearance of your puffy eyes, they may be due to age or genes. A cosmetic surgeon can tighten the area under the eye surgically to prevent sagging.
Tips and Warnings
- Apply teabags rinsed in cold water instead of a cold washcloth to help reduce bags under the eyes.
- If you cannot close your eyelids all the way, consult a doctor as this may be a symptom of thyroid disease.
Things You'll Need
- Pillows
- Washcloth
- Over-the-counter antihistamine
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