Swollen Eyelids: Causes And Treatments
Swollen eyelids are not only an aesthetic problem, but they can be a reflection of some important pathology.
Surely sometime in your life you have had swollen eyelids. It is a very frequent situation, which in addition to a simple aesthetic problem can be the consequence of numerous pathologies. In fact, many of them can be of metabolic or immune origin.
The eyelids are a part of our body made up of skin, muscle and mucosa that cover the eyes. Its main function is to protect the eye from any agent that could injure it. It also allows the eyeball to always stay moist.
It is true that with aging the eyelids tend to lose their consistency. Therefore, it is typical for older people to have swollen eyelids or bags under the eyes. The same happens when fatigue and stress accumulate.
However, there are many other causes of this happening and it is important to distinguish it early. In this article we explain what are the main reasons why you can have puffy eyelids and how to treat them.
Why do puffy eyelids appear?
As we have already mentioned, having swollen eyelids is very common. It is a situation that increases with age especially. This is so because over the years all tissues tend to weaken, including those of the eyelids.
Another of the main reasons is tiredness and lack of sleep. Not resting well causes our whole body to suffer, especially the appearance of our face and eyes. The same goes for bad habits like drinking alcohol or smoking marijuana.
Swollen eyelids are also the result of retaining excess fluid. This situation can be due to a circulatory problem such as hypertension or a diet with excess salt.
Allergic people often suffer from this problem. It can occur both during a mild allergic reaction – springtime, for example, with those who are allergic to pollen – and in severe forms. In fact, anaphylactic reactions are characterized by swollen eyelids among other signs.
On the other hand, it should be noted that having swollen eyelids can be a symptom of an infection. Logically they also appear after a hit in the area, either from a fight or any other type of trauma.
Finally, another common cause is styes. It consists of glands located on the edge of the eyelid becoming infected. They are the so-called Meibomian glands. It is usually accompanied by pain and redness.
What treatment is there for puffy eyelids?
Treatment for puffy eyelids will depend on the cause. Still, it is true that there are certain general measures that can help prevent or improve most cases.
First of all it is very important to sleep well. Scientists recommend sleeping about 8 hours a day. It is also essential to learn to manage stress and anxiety, as they also influence the quality of sleep.
The idea is to maintain a healthy lifestyle by following a balanced diet. Controlling the amount of salt you eat helps improve fluid retention and circulation. It is also necessary to control alcohol intake and avoid any other type of drug.
When, despite these measures, the eyelids remain swollen, the ideal is to consult a doctor. If it is an allergic symptom, the swelling will most likely go away with an antihistamine or by staying away from the allergen.
In the case of infections, the doctor is likely to prescribe an antibiotic to treat it. It can be administered orally, but most often it is through eye drops or topically on the eyelid.
In conclusion
Puffy eyelids are a fairly common problem. In addition to something aesthetic related to aging, they can be a sign of fatigue and stress.
If it persists over time, it is best to consult a doctor. They could be swollen as a sign of an infection or an undiagnosed allergy. Knowing the cause will be able to find the most suitable treatment.
