You need to get rid of bags under eyes as it affects your appearance. In most of the cases, it occurs when people age. Under-eye swelling may not mean any serious health condition. So, you can take steps at home to deal with the problem. With proper care at home, you can manage the condition effectively. But, you may require medical intervention when the condition becomes bothersome and persistent. Read ahead to know more about the issue and how to deal with them.
What Are Bags Under Eyes?
Bags under eyes refers to the puffiness or mild swelling you experience early in the morning or as you age. Excess fluid in your body tends to pool and make your lower lids puffy and swollen. The condition appears more prominent with discolored skin under eyes or when you develop shadows. The bags are noticeable in the morning as the fluid has time to settle in the lower lids. As people age, the muscles supporting your eyelids tend to get weak. So, the fat that supports the eyes moves to the lower eyelids. The weakened and sagged skin relaxes, it forms a pouch. The fat supported by the muscles tends to slip down the pouches and fills the space. So, it causes the under eyes to look swollen.
You need to get rid of bags under eyes as it makes you look unattractive. It makes you feel self-conscious. The issue is primarily cosmetic. So, it causes no harm to your overall health. But, if you suffer from the problem for a long time along with other symptoms, then see a doctor. It can indicate some medical issue, which needs immediate attention. Get complete information about the issue and take proper steps at the right time to manage the condition effectively.
Symptoms Of Bags Under Eyes
So, how can you detect the problem? Bags under the eyes can trigger the following symptoms:
- Mild swelling under the eyes
- Dark circle
- Saggy or loose skin
Usually, the bags under the eyes are harmless. So, it does not require immediate medical assistance. Underlying health issues like thyroid problems, allergy or infection can lead to the problem in such cases, you need to see an eye specialist or ophthalmologist get a proper diagnosis. You may need plastic surgery of eye (performed by the oculoplastic surgeon) to deal with the problem. But, if you do not like the way you look, then you need can get treatments to get rid of bags under the eye.
Causes Leading To Bags Under Eyes
As you age, the tissue structures and muscles supporting your eyelids weaken. The skin may start to sag, and fat that is normally confined to the area around the eye (orbit) can move into the area below your eyes. Also, the space below your eyes can accumulate fluid, making the under-eye area appear puffy or swollen. Several factors cause or worsen this effect, including:
- Allergies
- Fluid retention (for example, waking after or getting up after eating a salty meal)
- Lack of sleep
- Smoking
- Aging
- Skin problems (like eczema)
- Heredity (your close relatives can suffer from the problem)
- Chronic fatigue
- Sun exposure
- Pigmentation issues
Treatment Options Available To Get Rid Of Bags Under Eyes
When you see bags under your eyes, you begin to panic. It affects your overall appeal and makes you feel bad about the way you look. You look at the countless product available in the market that claims to lighten and de-puff the area under the eyes. But, the products may not work well as you expect. So, what is the treatment option to alleviate the issue? You can try some home remedies first before undergoing medical treatment.
Home Remedies To Get Rid Bags Under Eye
You can try some home remedies to get rid of bags under the eyes. It is the first line of treatment suggested even by doctors to alleviate the problem. The remedies are easy to follow. You can shrink the eye bags without any hassles. The bags under your eyes are mostly a cosmetic concern. So, you need no specific medical treatment to alleviate the problem. Simple home remedies can reduce or eliminate puffy eyes effectively. But, you need to make some lifestyle changes to reduce the appearance of bags under the eyes for long-term results. It is specifically necessary for people who inherit the condition causing dark circles and eye bags. The effective home remedies available are:
Use A Cold Compress
You can de-puff the area under the eyes using a simple cold compress. So, you can throw out those expensive creams as a simple cold compress can offer relief. The area under the eyes constricts when you apply cold. It will offer you relief temporarily. It is not necessary to purchase cold compress from the pharmacy. You can make a cold compress using the materials you have at home. Some of the easy options to make a cold compress at home to get rid of bags under eyes are:
- Cool cucumber
- Shilled teaspoon
- Wet washcloth
- Bag of frozen peas/vegetables
If you are applying cold compress directly, then it can affect your skin. So, to protect your skin from becoming frosty, place a soft cloth over the affected area. Apply a cold compress for a few minutes to see results.
Clear Your Sinuses
People with sinusitis can suffer from bags under eyes. The condition is also known as allergic shiners. It occurs when you suffer from congestion in the veins under your eyes due to sinusitis. It causes the blood to pool under the eyes. The results are puffiness and dark circles due to the dilation of swollen veins under the eyes. You can clear your sinuses with a neti pot. It aids in nasal irrigation. Using a neti pot can help you relieve under-eye bags as well as dark circles. The neti pot consists of saltwater or normal saline solution. The neti pot has a spout that you need to place in your nose. Then, irrigate sinuses with the saltwater. It clears the mucus and other debris from your sinuses.
Stay Hydrated
Your body is made up of more than 60% of water. In certain cases, dehydration can result in the puffiness under your eyes. So, you need to drink more water to overcome the problem. Good hydration can also help you flush out the fluids that result in the swelling under your eyes. So, men need to drink at least 13 cups of water and women need to drink 9 cups of water. Take a water break a few times a day. You need to keep a bottle of water close by. So, you can sip the water as you continue your business.
If you don’t like water, then you can drink other fluids. Water is the ideal option as it has no calories. You can try other options like flavored waters, sparkling water or fruit infused water to reach the daily intake of water. You can also opt for hot or cold herbal tea (decaffeinated).
Take An Antihistamine
An allergic reaction can result in puffiness and dark circle under your eyes. You can also experience itching, redness, and watery eyes. The immune system’s reaction to something that irritates your body causes an allergic reaction. It can occur due to coming in contact with allergens. If you experience an allergic reaction, then you need to take over-the-counter allergy medications. Antihistamines are drugs that treat common conditions like allergic rhinitis as well as other allergies.
Remove Your Makeup Before Going To Bed
Makeup makes you look good. It improves your confidence levels. But, many people forget to remove it before going to bed. It can only harm your skin. So, wash your wash and remove all makeup before going to bed. The different reasons why you need to remove makeup, especially from your eyes and eyelids are:
- It irritates the eyes
- You can experience an allergic reaction in eyes
- Develop an infection causing puffiness, redness, and other symptoms
Elevate Your Head While Sleeping
Some people notice bags under their eyes when they wake up. It tends to go away without any intervention as the day passes. At night, when you sleep, the fluids in your body tend to build up. Fluid retention can lead to the puffiness of the eyes. It can cause bags under the eyes. It is more prevalent among people who sleep on your side or the stomach. You can get rid of bags under eyes when you stay elevated during sleep. So, place extra pillows under your head while you sleep. You can use two or more pillows to stay elevated. Keeping a wedge pillow can also do the trick.
Elevating your head prevents the pooling of fluid under your lower eyelids. So, it prevents puffiness. If placing a pillow is uncomfortable or it hurts your neck, then consider elevating the top side of the bed. You can elevate it by a few inches by placing bricks under the bedposts. Special bed risers are available in the market that suits a particular purpose. So, you can buy it to prevent the puffiness under the eye.
Sleep Well
Your body needs rest. So, you have to get at least eight hours of sleep. While limited sleep may not cause the bags under your eyes, lack of sleep can lead to a pale complexion. It makes the shadows or bags under the eyes more visible. Therefore, try to have a proper sleep pattern that offers good rest to your body.
Include Vitamin C In Your Diet
Aging is one of the common causes of developing bags under the eyes. While you can prevent getting older, you can take steps to prevent its effects on the skin. Old people suffer from weakness of the muscles and tissues that support the eyelids. So, it causes sagging of skin. It leads to fat around the eyes to sag, leading to the bags under the eyes. Include collagen-rich food to counter the problem. Increasing the intake of Vitamin C can aid in better absorption of hyaluronic acid. It is the essential acid needed by the body to retain moisture and keep the tissues lubricated. But, it decreases as you age. So, taking Vitamin C rich food can help increase the hyaluronic acid reserves in the body.
Foods rich in Vitamin C can also increase collagen production. As Vitamin C boosts hyaluronic acid, it aids in collagen production. Collagen is essential to maintain the elasticity of your skin and enhance its health. So, add food rich in Vitamin C to get the desired results. Include the following in your diet:
- Kale
- Oranges
- Brussels sprouts
- Strawberries
- Red peppers
- Broccoli
Eat Foods Rich In Iron
Anemia or iron deficiency is a condition that results in your body lacking enough red blood cells. Red blood cells are responsible for carrying oxygen-rich blood to all tissues and organs in the body. Without enough oxygen supply, your body can suffer. The lack of red blood cells can lead to developing dark circles under your eyes as well as pale skin. It can also cause signs like:
- Extreme fatigue
- Brittle nails
- Cold hands and feet
So, if you suspect anemia, then you need to consult your doctor. The doctor can perform blood tests to confirm the condition. Based on the results, your doctor suggests treatment plans. If you have severe anemia, then you need special iron supplements or medications to get back on track. For mild cases of anemia, your doctor recommends including iron in the food. Increasing the dietary intake of iron-rich food can enhance the red blood cell count. So, you can include the following:
- Seafood
- Red meat
- Beans
- Pork
- Green leafy vegetables (spinach and kale)
- Dried fruits (like raisins, apricot, etc.)
- Poultry
- Peas
- Iron-fortified foods (for example, pasta, bread or cereals)
Limit Salt In Your Diet
Consuming too much salt can affect your health. It is the root cause of developing bags under eyes. Salt or sodium consumption can contribute to fluid retention. So, it can make you look puffy. It is due to the thin skin around the eye retaining fluid. So, the swelling under the eye can offer an appearance of bags. Your body can naturally get rid of fluid retention and bloating. It takes a few hours or longer to de-puff the area. But, severe cases can affect your health adversely. It can lead to stroke and heart diseases. The simplest causes of swelling under the eye responds well to home treatments. So, eat foods high in potassium content. It helps counter the salt you consume. The following foods can help you de-puff your face:
- Yogurt
- Dried apricots
- Bananas
- Potatoes
The bags under eyes can become a problem when the following signs get worse over time. So, you need to visit the doctor immediately. It is because infection or other medical issues can lead to the development of puffiness of the face. So, it requires special attention. See your doctor when the swelling has the following characteristics
- It is severe and lasts for a long time
- Puffiness along with pain, redness or itching
- Swelling affects other body parts like legs
In such cases, your doctor suggests a treatment plan to reduce swelling and discoloration under the eyes. The doctors prescribe creams or other treatments to get rid of bags under the eyes.
Medical Treatment To Get Rid Of Bags Under Eyes
Some people need medical assistance to deal with the problem. It is because the problem has another underlying health problem. But, in some cases, you become concerned about your physical appearance due to the bags under eyes. Since the problem is cosmetic, it may not have medical coverage. The under-eye swelling with no medical issue has several treatment options like:
Prescription Allergy Medications
If you suffer from under-eye swelling due to allergy that does not clear with OTC medications, then you need prescription allergy medications.
Non-Surgical Options
The cosmetic treatment options smoothen the under-eye area. To get rid of bags under eyes, you have the following non-invasive treatments.
Filler
As the name suggests, the treatment places a filler material under the eye. In most cases, hyaluronic acid with a jelly-like consistency is placed in under your eye area that meets the cheek. It smoothens the transition to give you a flawless appearance. Your doctor injects the fillers under local anesthesia. The results last for six to twelve months.
Laser Resurfacing
The treatment stimulates collagen growth and removes the layers of wrinkly skin under your eye. With new collagen growth, you get firmer skin. You can enjoy the results of the treatment for a long time. But, the results vary based on your skin type as well as sun exposure.
Chemical Peel
A chemical peel works by removing the superficial top layers of your wrinkly skin under the eyes. You have to undergo therapy in an office. A chemical solution is applied to the affected areas. When the chemical dissolves, it reveals a tighter as well as brighter skin. Based on the skin type, the results last for a few years. Limit sun exposure for the results to last for a few years.
Invasive Procedure
In severe cases, you need an invasive procedure to manage the condition. Blepharoplasty is the procedure to get rid of bags under the eyes. During the procedure, the surgeon removes the excess fat present in the bags. An incision inside the lower lid or in the natural crease of the upper eyelid helps remove the fat. After the procedure, small dissolving stitches rejoin the skin. The surgical procedure also helps repair the following:
- Puffy or baggy upper eyelids
- Droopy lower eyelids (it can cause the whites in the eyes to show below the iris)
- Excess skin present in the upper eyelids (it can interfere with the vision)
- Excess skin on lower eyelids
The surgery can cause side effects. So, you need to talk to your surgeon about the possible side effects like:
- Dry eyes
- Pain
- Watery eyes
- Swelling
- Blurred vision
- Bruising
In some rare cases, the surgery can cause vision loss, injury to eye muscles, bleeding, corneal abrasion, vision loss, and drooping of an eyelid. Take a decision only after knowing all the side effects.
Conclusion
Puffiness under the eyes can mar your visual appeal. So, most people suffering from the issue, try to get rid of bags under eyes. In the majority of the cases, the condition occurs temporarily. So, it causes no lasting effects on your health. It only indicates a lack of sleep or aging. You can try some effective home remedies to deal with the problem. If you suffer from other signs or worsens over time, then seek medical assistance. You can seek medical assistance from a skin specialist (dermatologist) to get a proper diagnosis and get the best possible treatments. Never feel worried or panicked by the problem. You can relieve the problem with better care and treatment.
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