Ugh! Your eyes didn't look this awful when you went to sleep last night. But this morning, they appear so puffy and swollen. How did your eyes change so much since you put your head down on your pillow? Show
Rest assured, it usually isn't a reason to worry about. Once you learn the culprit behind why your eyes look so puffy, find out how to get rid of puffy eyes. Note: Eye swelling usually goes away on its own in a day. If the puffiness is still around after 24 to 48 hours, contact your health care or eye care professional to make sure something else isn't going on. Read on to find out what's causing all this swelling. You had a poor night's
sleep. You have a thyroid condition. You're suffering from edema. You hiked up the
heat. You're not thoroughly rinsing your face and hair. You're suffering from seasonal allergies. You've been crying. You're dealing with that time of the month. You drank too much. You're aging. Swollen eyelid causes and how to treat a swollen eyelidWhat is a swollen eyelid?A swollen eyelid develops due to fluid buildup or inflammation in the connective tissue around the eye. Swollen eyes may or may not be painful, and the condition can affect both the upper and lower eyelids. Swollen eyelids are treatable at home for the most common causes. Swelling of the eyelids can range from minor to severe and can have many underlying causes. In some cases, swollen eyelids may be a sign of a more serious health problem that could cause vision loss. A doctor or family physician can identify the cause of your swollen eyelid if home remedies do not work. What causes a swollen eyelid?Many conditions can cause a swollen eyelid, including:
A swollen eyelid may be a symptom of allergies or a sign of a serious eye infection.
Understand the cause of your swollen eyes to ensure you get the proper treatment. READ MORE: Causes of a swollen eyelid
How do I treat a swollen eyelid?Home remedies can treat minor bouts of swollen eyelids. Avoid rubbing your eyes, as this will only aggravate your condition. Try these home treatments for mild cases of swollen eyelids.
SEE RELATED: How to treat a swollen eyelid & Home remedies for swollen eyelids Symptoms of swollen eyesSwelling of the eyelids is a symptom of an underlying cause, such as allergy or infection. You may have some of these other symptoms along with swollen eyelids:
Here is a closer look at some of the most common symptoms of swollen eyelids: Itchy eyesYour swollen eyelids may be the result of allergies. Most of the time, allergies cause itchy eyes. Pollen, dust and animal dander cause the release of histamines in the tissues around the eyes. The histamine results in itching, redness and swelling around your eyes. Light sensitivityYour eyelids may swell as a reaction to photophobia, a sensitivity to light. Sunlight, fluorescent light and incandescent light can cause discomfort and a need to squint or close your eyes. Headaches may also occur with light sensitivity. Watery eyesWatery eyes can cause swollen eyes. Chronic irritation from dry eye syndrome can result in an overproduction of the watery component of tears. If the glands in the upper eyelid overproduce this liquid, it can cause swollen eyelids. Red eyesYour swollen eyelids may be a result of redness in your eyes. Red or bloodshot eyes are very common and have many causes. Red eyes are usually a symptom of other eye conditions that can range from benign to serious. Eye dischargeEye discharge, or "sleep" in your eyes, could be causing the swelling of your eyelids. Eye discharge is the mucus, oil, skin cells and other debris that collects in the corner of your eye in your sleep. It can be wet and sticky or dry and crusty, depending on how much of the liquid in the discharge has evaporated. Dry eyesDry eye syndrome can cause a range of issues, including swollen eyelids. Chronic lack of lubrication and moisture on the surface of the eye causes dry eye syndrome. Side effects of dry eyes range from subtle eye irritation to significant swelling of the eye. Eye painEye pain may be coupled with blurred vision, bloodshot eyes, sensitivity to light and swollen eyelids. Eye pain is a catch-all phrase to describe discomfort on, in, behind or around the eye. 4 tips for preventing swollen eyes
FAQsQ: Can you get swollen eyelids from COVID? A: It is possible, but unlikely, to get swollen eyelids as a symptom of COVID-19. However, a COVID-19 diagnosis does not mean that you will necessarily experience eyelid swelling. It’s also possible that your swollen eyelids are caused by another condition, such as allergies or blepharitis. Q: What can cause you to wake up with swollen eyelids every morning? A: The most common reasons you may wake up with swollen eyelids every morning are eye allergies, sleeping in your makeup and fluid retention:
Q: What causes dry swollen eyelids? A: Dry swollen eyelids can be caused by eyelid dermatitis, a non-contagious skin condition that affects the eyelids. Blepharitis, inflammation of the eyelids, may also cause them to be dry and swollen. If you experience dry swollen eyelids consistently, you should see an eye doctor. Q: What is the difference between puffy and swollen eyes? A: The term "puffy eyes" doesn't mean the same thing as "swollen eyelids." The two terms refer to different conditions. Swollen eyelids, or swelling around the eyes, is an inflammatory response to allergies, infection or injury. Eyelid swelling can happen with just one eye or both eyes. Eye puffiness is usually related to lack of sleep, age-related sagging of tissue and general water retention. If you have puffy eyes, it will typically affect both eyes. When to see a doctor about a swollen eyelidBe sure to visit your doctor for an eye exam if you experience any of the following issues along with your swollen eyelids:
A physician or eye doctor will give you a medical diagnosis and the most effective treatment. A referral to an ophthalmologist may be needed if the cause of the swollen eyelid is severe enough. Notes and ReferencesPage published on Monday, March 4, 2019 Page updated on Wednesday, July 28, 2021 Medically reviewed on Thursday, July 22, 2021 |