Puffy eyes usually make people look more tired and aged. According to a recent report by American Academy of Ophthalmology, stress is the main cause of puffy eyes in 22 per cent of the people surveyed.
Causes:
There are many reasons which cause puffy eyes. Sometimes it is also related to genetic or heredity, some research reports states. It can also happen due to lack of sleep or excessive crying. According to the National Sleep Foundation, at least 9 hours of sleep is required for healthy eyes. Stress and allergic reaction (eyes allergy from dust/sunlight) can also cause under eye dark circles and puffiness in eyes. Other reasons which contribute to puffy eyes are:
– Lots of salt or sodium intake
– Buildup of toxins or waste in body
– Post operation/Surgical recovery
– Dehydration
– Alcohol drinking and smoking
– Heredity or genetic
– Irritation caused by contact lenses
– Sinus problem
– Use of an expired eye care product
Symptoms:
Puffiness in eyes is quite easily visible but some symptoms include:
– Swelling around or at the corners of eyes
– Puffiness of the eyelids, of the eyes
– Itching or redness in eyes
– Difficulty or inability to open or close the eyes due to swelling:
Prevention:
The best cure for puffy eyes is prevention. Other factors which helps in avoiding puffy eyes are:
– Sleep Well: A healthy adult needs at least eight/nine hours of sleep. Lack of sleep prevents eye take much needed rest. It makes them work overtime and causes bags underneath. Also lack of sleep causes all the fats and fluid to settle down and accumulate in the area under eye. As the skin underneath eyes is very thin, the extra fluid becomes more striking.
– Avoid Alcohol and Smoking: Smoking is not only bad for health, but it also causes under eye dark circles and puffiness. Limit your alcohol intake because alcohol causes body to retain fluids that can collect in the eye area.
– Balanced diet: Take a diet containing a lot of vitamins and minerals. In your diet include lots of fruits and green vegetables. Deficiency of Vitamin K or B12 is known to be a major cause of puffiness in eyes. Also drink plenty of water every day and decrease salt intake. Avoid salty foods such as chips and pickles.
– Eye care: Dip a washcloth in cool water and then place it on your closed eyes for 3-4 minutes. Repeat it four or five times a day. Ice cubes wrapped in washcloth can also be used. Wrap a wet/used tea bag in a tissue paper and keep on your eyes for some time. Tea bags contain tannin. Tannin is a natural astringent which causes contraction of body tissues and canals. Cold cucumber slices also provides relief when kept in closed eyes for some time.
– Avoid rubbing your eyes: Rubbing eyes may break tiny capillaries underneath the skin and lead to more dark circles and puffiness. If your eyes are itchy, wash them with cold water or see a doctor. Rubbing eyes makes eyes read and stay puffy.
In addition to the above remedies, take regular breaks during work, especially if you are working on computers. Wash your eyes with tap/cold water four or five times a day. If your eyes remains itchy and swelling around eyelids persists for more than 2-3 days then you should visit a physician immediately.
