Swelling of the eyelids is a problem faced by many people, regardless of gender and age. However, among those who have reached the age of thirty, the likelihood of this phenomenon increases. Puffiness in the upper eyelids can occur for a variety of reasons. This may be an excess of fluid that accumulates in the deep layers of the epidermis.
Swollen eyelids spoil the appearance, making the look painful and tired. The appearance of puffiness is the reason for contacting a specialist and conducting an examination. This may indicate serious pathological processes in the body.
Views
To avoid unpleasant complications and eliminate the problem, it is necessary to accurately determine the factor that provokes swelling of the eyelids. Depending on the cause of development, doctors divide edema into two groups:
- Inflammatory.
- Non-inflammatory.
Inflammatory swelling is quite easy to recognize. The eyelid swells and turns red, it hurts to touch it, in some cases there is tingling and itching. Quite often, suchsymptoms are compounded by high body temperature.
Possible pathologies that caused swelling
Such a condition can provoke some diseases:
- Conjunctivitis.
- Inflammatory process caused by purulent diseases like phlegmon, barley or boils.
- Disturbances in the lacrimal organs.
If an inflammatory process occurs in the body, blood vessels tend to expand, which leads to the development of edema. It is necessary to consult an ophthalmologist in a timely manner to prevent complications in the future. If it is impossible to determine the disease by external signs, the specialist prescribes an additional examination.
Causes of swelling in the eyes
Let's consider a number of factors that can trigger the development of eyelid edema.
If the symptom appears in the morning, in this case its nature does not belong to the inflammatory process. Especially if there are no accompanying signs, such as itching, redness, pain or fever. Concerns about puffiness in the morning not constantly, but from time to time. At the same time, not only the eyelids, but also other parts of the body swell quite often. Most often, the cause of eyelid edema in this case is lifestyle and bad habits, for example:
- Drinking plenty of fluids, especially in the evenings.
- Excessive consumption of spicy, s alty, fatty and smoked foods.
- Late dinner.
- Regular lack of sleep.
- Taking a hot bath just before going to bed.
- Smoking.
- Uncomfortable sleeping position.
A cool compress can save you from such swelling. Diuretic herbal teas also help with swelling in the morning.
Other reasons:
- Violation of the cardiovascular system. If a person observes a drinking regimen and does not have bad habits, and eyelid edema appears regularly, this may indicate a malfunction of the heart. Therefore, in this case, it is necessary to consult a cardiologist.
- Allergic reaction. Sometimes swelling of the upper eyelid, which is not accompanied by pain, may occur due to allergies. Various foods, pollen, household chemicals and medicines can provoke it. Hypersensitivity can lead to edema, and in the future - to ophthalmic pathologies. As a rule, an allergic reaction does not lead to redness, but it does cause itching. Puffiness disappears, as a rule, if the factor provoking the appearance of an allergy is eliminated. Also, people prone to allergies, it is necessary to strengthen the immune system. For prevention, you should also take drugs that are responsible for the normalization of the liver. What are other causes of upper eyelid swelling?
- Contact lenses. Puffiness of the eyelids against the background of the use of lenses occurs as a result of the body's reaction to a foreign body. This may occur due to incorrectly selected contact lenses or against the background of increased eye sensitivity. Edema is accompanied by increased lacrimation and runny nose.
- Geneticpredisposition. If the membrane that separates the upper layers of the epidermis and fiber is thin by nature, then it will become thinner with age. In this regard, any ailment or stress will provoke the appearance of edema of the eyelids.
- Injury. This refers to mechanical damage that led to hemorrhage under the skin. The skin in the damaged area takes on a bluish color.
- Cosmetological procedures. Sometimes, after a tattoo or Botox injection, swelling of the eyelids occurs, which is the body's reaction to substances injected under the skin. Edema, as a rule, subsides a day after the procedure. It is very important to choose a qualified and experienced specialist to carry out such manipulations. It is important to familiarize yourself with the contraindications to the administered drugs. The cause of swollen eyelids should be investigated by a doctor.
Symptoms of this pathology
What does it all look like? The onset of swelling can be determined by the appearance of the eye and the sensations that occur in the affected area. The following symptoms deserve special attention:
- Changing the natural color of the skin.
- Sensation of skin tension.
- Thinning of the skin and the appearance of shine on its surface.
- Blood vessels are clearly visible.
- Rash in the form of small dots.
- Reduction of the palpebral fissure.
- Soreness when touched on the eyelid.
- Swollen lymph nodes behind the ears.
- Consolidation of tissues around the eyes.
- Tingling and itching, sometimes also irritatedand burning.
Treatment
Therapy for puffiness of the eyelids depends on the reasons that provoked it. The decision on treatment should be made by the doctor on the basis of the collected anamnesis, examination and additional studies. Self-treatment can aggravate a person's condition and lead to undesirable consequences.
If an allergic reaction has become the cause of edema, then antihistamines, special drops and ointments are prescribed that will relieve itching and inflammation ("Celestoderm-B", "Hydrocortisone", "Kromoheksal"). However, first of all, it is necessary to eliminate the irritating factor - the allergen. After the swelling subsides, doctors recommend following a special therapeutic diet, avoiding highly allergenic foods.
Plastic surgery
If swelling of the lower eyelid is provoked by fatty hernias, then only plastic surgery will help get rid of them. The qualification of the surgeon performing the operation must be very high, this will help to avoid postoperative complications. There are also a number of effective treatments for swelling:
- Mesotherapy.
- Lymphatic drainage massage.
- Dermotonia.
- Electrical stimulation.
Such cosmetic procedures deeply affect the skin, normalize blood circulation and improve metabolism at the cellular level. As a result of these procedures, swelling subsides and the risk of recurrence is reduced.
Complex Therapy
If the cause of eyelid edemaeyes became an inflammatory process, complex therapy is needed, which includes:
- Taking special antibacterial, painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Flushing.
- Physiotherapy.
Swelling resulting from injury requires treatment of damage with disinfectant solutions. Further local treatment is carried out. Ice compresses in the morning help to relieve swelling of the eyelids.
Prevention
If swelling occurs regularly in one or both eyes, first of all, it is necessary to eliminate the factors that can provoke this process. In particular, experts recommend the following preventive measures:
- Give up bad habits. Abuse of tobacco and alcohol greatly reduces the protective properties of the body, which leads to frequent infectious diseases and, accordingly, edema.
- Spend a minimum amount of time at the computer, establish a sleep and rest regimen, temper the body and exercise regularly.
- Try to avoid overwork and stressful situations.
- Eat a proper, balanced diet.
- Reduce s alt intake.
- Providing the body with the right amount of vitamins and minerals.
- Keep drinking routine.
- Strengthen immunity. A decrease in the protective properties of the body leads to frequent colds, which provoke inflammation of the mucous membrane of the eye.
- Control blood sugar.
- Observe hygiene rules andsafety precautions when working with various chemicals.
- Use special diuretic teas.
- Avoid insect bites.
- Do not use various drugs in the form of eye ointments and drops for longer than the period indicated in the instructions or prescribed by a doctor.
- Read the composition of cosmetics before use. It is better to give preference to products based on natural ingredients. Do not use cosmetics after the expiration date.
Who else can I turn to?
If the cause of eyelid swelling cannot be found out from a dermatologist, cardiologist or ophthalmologist, then you need to seek help from an endocrinologist. Edema on the eyelids can appear as a result of incorrect functioning of the thyroid gland. In the case of the fair sex, a trip to the gynecologist is also important. Eyelids can swell due to hormonal disorders in the body.
