Puffy eyes can be caused by many things. However, regardless of the cause, these symptoms can be alleviated through a few simple treatments. Check out the following article to find out the causes and how to treat puffy eyes.
Puffy eyes are basically caused by a buildup of excess fluid on the eyelids or the connective tissue around the eyes. This condition can be triggered by various diseases, such as allergies, conjunctivitis, to orbital cellulitis.
Various Causes of Swollen Eyes
The following is a more complete explanation of the conditions that can cause swollen eyes:
1. Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis is the most common cause of swollen eyes. This condition is also characterized by other symptoms, such as red, itchy, watery, and sore eyes. The cause of conjunctivitis is generally a viral infection, but it can also be caused by a bacterial infection or irritation from certain treatment products, such as shampoo.
2. Allergies
Puffy eyes can also be caused by allergies. Allergy sufferers may experience puffy eyes as a symptom of contact with allergy-triggering substances, such as pollen, dust, or certain foods and medications.
In addition to swollen eyes, allergies can also be characterized by other symptoms, such as sneezing, nasal congestion, itchy eyes, swollen lips or face, to shortness of breath. These symptoms do not always have to be present when allergies recur. It could be that only one or a combination of symptoms appear.
3. Blepharitis
The next cause of puffy eyes is blepharitis. Symptoms are usually characterized by swollen eyes in the eyelid area as well as red, itchy, watery, and itchy eyes.
The cause of blepharitis is not known with certainty, but it is suspected that it can be triggered by seborrheic dermatitis, infection, clogged oil glands in the eyelids, to the presence of lice on the eyelashes.
4. Orbital cellulitis
Swollen eyes accompanied by symptoms of red eye, pain when moving the eyeball, blurred vision can be a sign of orbital cellulitis. Orbital cellulitis is common in children and can lead to blindness if not treated properly.
Apart from being caused by the things above, swollen eyes can also be caused by a stye, cyst, insect bite, injury, to Graves' disease.
How to overcome Puffy Eyes at Home
Symptoms of puffy eyes can be overcome with simple treatments at home first. Examples of treatments that can be done to treat puffy eyes are:
Compress swollen eyes
You can compress the swollen eye with a cloth soaked in cool, clean water or by placing an ice pack on it for 15 minutes, once an hour.
In addition, you can also compress the eyes with tea bags that have been put in the refrigerator. The caffeine in tea can help reduce swelling.
For certain cases, such as swelling caused by cysts and stye, warm compresses 4-5 times a day are recommended. This compress is useful to help smooth the blockage of the oil glands.
Rinsing eyes with saline solution
For puffy and watery eyes, try washing your eyes with a saline solution or saline solution. This method is considered effective in overcoming puffy eyes because salt is attractive. In addition, the antimicrobial properties of salt are able to relieve puffy eyes caused by infection.
But remember, you must use a saline solution purchased at the pharmacy because it is guaranteed to be clean. Using unclean salt water to wash your eyes can actually increase the risk of irritation and infection.
Using eye drops
Swollen eyes due to allergies can be treated with drops containing antihistamines that can be obtained at pharmacies. However, if the allergy is severe, you need to get treatment or swollen eye medication from a doctor.
In addition to carrying out the above treatments, make sure you also avoid touching or rubbing your eyes with your hands. Remove contact lenses immediately if you wear them, but wash your hands first. In addition, avoid activities that risk causing eye injury and exacerbating swelling.
Simple home remedies can indeed help treat puffy eyes. However, you are advised to consult a doctor if swollen eyes do not improve or are accompanied by symptoms such as eye pain, blurred vision, a feeling of lump in the eye, and seeing floating spots.
The doctor will examine the condition of your eyes to find out the cause and how to treat puffy eyes. In the case of swollen eyes caused by infection, for example, in addition to suggesting a warm compress, the doctor will also prescribe antibiotic and anti-inflammatory eye drops.