15 reasons you have puffy eyes in the morning!

How often do you wake up with puffy eyes? This phenomenon is quite common and can be due to various causes. Apart from aesthetic problem this might be a symptom of something more serious.

Swollen eyes can be due to different causes, such as an allergic reaction, or because you simply rubbed your eyes with force. If you occasionally find your eyes swollen after waking up in the morning, then there is no need to worry. However, if you often notice this symptom, it would be good to look for the real causes. [1],[2]

What causes puffy eyes?

We found 15 reasons that cause puffy eyes:

1. Excessive salt consumption

One of the most common causes of puffy eyes is the overconsumption of salt. A large intake of salt leads to fluid retention, due to sodium. This is because there is a very delicate balance between sodium and potassium in our cells. [1] This concentration of water occurs mainly in the connective tissues, especially around the eyes and in the lower eyelids. [2]

What to do:

• Reduce salt in your diet
• Increase your water intake

*Extra Tip: Don’t forget to check the  ingredients in packaged foods you consume. Many of tem contain sugar and salt, but we don’t take them into account as we don’t add them ourselves! [1]

2. Excessive alcohol consumption

As is the case with excessive salt consumption, high alcohol intake also causes dehydration. This in turn, can cause eye swelling. Alcohol causes blood vessels to dilate, so fluid accumulation can occur. [2]

What you can do: Drink plenty of water, before and after every sleep cycle. This will help your body dispose of the alcohol faster. Additionally, try elevating your head with a pillow at night to encourage fluid withdrawal from the eyes. [1]

3. Allergies

Seasonal allergies play a big role when it comes to puffy eyes. In fact, it is considered the most common cause of eye swelling. [3] When our immune system overreacts to a foreign substance (pollen or dust for example), then an allergic reaction occurs. Histamine is then released, which leads to fluid retention, itching and runny nose. [2]

If you wake up with puffy eyes, you may be allergic to something in your bedroom. For example, it could be a new fabric softener in your sheets or a new plant you added to the space. [1] On the other hand, if you like to sleep with the windows open, pollen or other allergens may aggravate the situation. Try sleeping with the windows closed to see if that helps your morning symptoms. [1]

If you are experiencing an allergic reaction, we recommend that you consult a medical professional as soon as possible.

4. Eye Rubbing 

When we wake up, we usually rub our eyes. This action is traumatic for the sensitive skin around the eyes and can cause inflammation and/or swelling. [2]

If you want to avoid the swelling from rubbing your eyes, apply a cold compress soaked in milk or eye patches before bed, or in the morning. Additionally, try not to rub your eyes when you wake up.

5. Heredity

Even though you may sleep 7-8 hours every night, avoid alcohol and be carefull with your diet, you still notice eye bags. This is because some people are more prone to puffy eyes due to heredity. This hereditary predisposition tends to appear after the age of 30-40, but it can also occur at a younger age. [4]

6. Anxiety/Stress

Are you going through a tough time at work or feeling stressed about your relationship? Stress increases cortisol, which alters the body’s sodium balance. Additionally, crying can cause swelling in the eyes, especially if it happened the night before. [2]

If you want to reduce stress, you can exercise. Regular exercise can relieve your stress. If the symptoms of anxiety do not subside, you can consult a specialist.

7. Lack of sleep

If you often have insomnia and wake up with swollen eyes, the cause (probably) is lack of sleep. Insomnia causes fluid retention, which is why you may wake up with eye bags and/or dark circles. [1]

To combat insomnia, adopt a consistent and healthy sleep routine. Start to relax by avoiding screens (and blue light) at least an hour or two before bed. Then, taking a warm bath or shower can better prepare your body for a deep sleep. [1]

8. Eye diseases (eg conjunctivitis)

Puffy eyes can also be due to certain eye conditions. Conjunctivitis is usually the result of an eye infection, but it can also be caused by an allergy or contact lenses. Some others symptoms of conjunctivitis are itching, redness and eyelids sticking together . [1]

If you have conjunctivitis, follow these steps: [1]

• Wash your eyes gently with warm water
• Be sure to wash your hands before touching the eye area
• Avoid contact lenses
• Avoid makeup
• Do not share face towels

9. Eye styes & chalazion

These are two well-known and common eye conditions that can cause swelling in the surrounding area. A stye is caused by inflammation and infection and occurs when bacteria enter the glands that produce the eyelid’s oils. The symptoms it causes are usually a reddish lump on the eyelid. When stye first starts, the eye may be more sensitive to light and look bruised. [3]

Chalazion, on the other hand, refers to a gland in our eye that is blocked. This turns into a hard lump, which can cause redness and swelling in the eyelid. [3]

If you have a stye or chalazion, you should visit an ophthalmologist as soon as possible so that he/she can recommend the appropriate treatment.

10. Contact lenses

Sleeping with contact lenses can encourage bacteria to grow in the tiny space between the lens and the eye surface. This can cause various problems, including puffy eyes. [1]

It is important, no matter how tired you feel, to always remove your lenses before bed. Eye care is particularly important, so it should not be skipped. [1]

11. Inadequate water intake

If you don’t drink water regularly during the day, your body will lead to fluid retention. This can make the swelling in your eyes even more apparent in the morning, since you haven’t had any water at all. [1]

Coffee or tea should be avoided in the evening, as these act as a diuretic and stimulate the bladder to release urine more often. You can set a reminder on your phone a few times a day so you don’t forget to drink water. [1]

12. Hypersensitivity to perfumes

Perfumes or scented products may contribute to puffy eyes, as you may have an allergy, or sensitive eyes. Experts recommend spraying the perfume away from your face and eyes. In addition, you can choose fragrance free products in your daily routine. [4]

Exposure to fragrances can cause a range of negative reactions, such as migraines, difficulty breathing and eye problems. [6]

13. Age

Collagen holds the fat pads under our eyelids. As we age, collagen and elastin fibers become weaker and as a result the fat deposits that support the eyes begin to fall. Clinically, this causes swelling of the lower eyelids. [2,4]

14. Period & PMS

When you’re expecting your menstruation cycle, you may feel some bloating, as also in the first few days. The same goes for puffy eyes.

Premenstrual syndrome causes hormonal fluctuations and changes in estrogen and progesterone in the body, which cause fluid retention throughout the body. Fortunately, the swelling or bloating you feel during your period goes away, usually a few days before your period stops. [4]

15. Kidney or heart problems

If you notice that your eyes are constantly puffy every morning, this may be a sign that you have a kidney or a heart problem. As puffy eyes are associated with many other conditions, these two causes are often overlooked. [5]

Home remedies for swollen eyes

Here are some good ideas to avoid puffy eyes

• Make cold compresses

Cold compresses are a very good idea if you want to get rid of puffy eyes. Place a cold compress under your eyes or tea bags. Try chamomile tea bags and after a few minutes you will see your look brighter and renewed. [4]

• Choose caffeine

Caffeine is a vasoconstrictor, which means it constricts blood vessels. In addition to this action, it also has antioxidant properties. You can place iced black tea bags on closed eyes as a mask. Additionally, you can try eye creams with caffeine. [7]

• Use cucumber slices

Due to its high water content, cucumber instantly hydrates the skin and reduces swelling, working in a similar way to a cold compress. Cucumbers also have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and contain vitamin K, which can help reduce dark circles. [7]

• Try eye roller massage

Eye roller is a tool that helps improve blood circulation around the eyes. In this way, puffy eyes are relieved and your facial expression takes on a rested look. In addition to puffiness, the eye roller also helps with dark circles, while offering anti-aging properties to the skin. [7]

What to do with puffy eyes?

To soothe puffy eyes, we can regularly apply an eye cream. There are certain ingredients, which help to deal with puffiness and cool the area under our eyes. In addition to the eye cream, we can also use eye patches, whenever we want to see our eyes instantly brighter.

Ingredients that reduce eye puffiness are: [7]

• Caffeine
• Vitamin C
• Retinol
• Hyaluronic Acid
• Cucumber

In addition, a concealer in a shade similar to your color tone will make the look more radiant and youthful. Choose liquid form if you have fine lines or wrinkles and firm form (mousse) for more coverage on dark circles.

When to see the doctor

In many cases, eye swelling subsides after a few days with over-the-counter or home remedies. If you feel that the pain and swelling do not go away, you should immediately consult your doctor. [3]

Some of the symptoms that show that you need to visit a medical specialist when:

• The swelling is red and you feel burning
• You have pain in the eye area
• Your eyes suddenly water
• Your vision is affected
• You notice blisters on the eyelids

Conclusion

Puffy eyes can arise from different causes and conditions. They can be caused by some allergy, eye condition, lack of sleep and many more reasons. Following a daily hygienic routine and a balanced diet can help in the overall health of our body and skin.

Discover at Vita4you a variety of eye creams to deal with puffiness under your eyes!