Swelling of the eyelids can be an annoying problem. This problem is the result of excess fluid in the skin tissue and because the skin on your eyelids is very thin, the swelling is usually very noticeable. Swollen eyelids can be caused by a number of different factors, including genetics. Here are some ways you can do to prevent and treat it.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Treat Swollen Eyelids Quickly
Step 1. Apply an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory cream on your eyelids
This may sound disgusting, but hemorrhoid creams also have anti-inflammatory effects that can reduce the swelling you are experiencing.
- Using one finger, gently apply a small amount of cream on the swollen area
- Apply thinly until evenly to coat the eyelids
- Make sure the cream doesn't get into your eyes
Step 2. Apply something cold to the swollen area
Use a plastic bag filled with ice cubes to compress your eyelids. If you don't have ice cubes, use two spoons that have been refrigerated for a few minutes instead. The cold will reduce swelling, plus it's soothing!
Also try to wash your face with cold water
Step 3. Put cold cucumber slices on your eyes
You should lay your head down and be quiet for a moment because cold cucumber slices are a pleasant and soothing way to reduce swelling of the eyelids. Cucumber contains antioxidants that can reduce irritation, and its cooling taste can also help with swelling problems.
- Thinly slice 2 pieces of cucumber
- Lay your head back
- Put cucumber slices over your eyes
- Leave it for at least 10 minutes
- Remove the cucumber from your eyes and wash your face
Step 4. Try using potato wedges if you don't have cucumbers
Potatoes have the enzyme catalase which is believed to reduce swelling better than cucumbers.
- 2 thin slices of potato
- Lay your head back
- Put the slice on your eye
- Leave it for at least 10 minutes
- Remove the potato slices from your eyes and wash your face
- You can even grate the potatoes instead of slicing them:
- Peel and grate the potatoes
- Using your hands or a kitchen hammer, press or mash the grated potato until it becomes a kind of plaster
- Lay your head back
- Put a plaster on your eye
- Cover with a cool wet cloth
- After 10 minutes, remove the potatoes and wash your face
Step 5. Drink a few glasses of water as soon as you wake up in the morning and continue throughout the day to prevent you from becoming dehydrated
Step 6. Gently pat your eyelids
Overnight, fluid can become trapped in your eyelids if you don't blink during sleep. Patting your eyelids can help the excess water drain from the swollen eyelids.
Step 7. Don't rub your eyes
While gentle patting can dry out the fluid, rubbing your eyes roughly will only make things worse. Even if you are sleepy, avoid rubbing your eyes when you wake up in the morning.
Step 8. Use eye drops to lubricate the eye
If the swelling is caused by dryness and irritation accompanied by allergies, over-the-counter eye drops can be a cheap and easy way to make your eyes look and feel better.
Look for eye drops without preservatives because there are some people who have allergies to preservatives in eye drops in general
Step 9. Ask your doctor if they can prescribe eye drops
They may suggest mild steroid eye drops to treat allergy symptoms for people with severe allergies.
If your swelling is caused by an infection rather than an allergic reaction, your doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory eye drops or antibiotics instead
Step 10. Do not travel with contact lenses
Even if you don't feel contact when you wear them, contact lenses are still a layer of plastic that rubs against your eyelids all day long. If your eyelids are swollen, wearing glasses for a while is the best way to avoid further irritation.
Allowing your eyes to breathe from time to time is good for your eyes
Part 2 of 2: Preventing Eyelid Swelling in the Long-Term
Step 1. Reduce salt intake
If you ingest too much sodium through an unhealthy diet, your body will retain more water due to the amount of salt present in your system. This is the cause of excess fluid so that there is swelling of your eyelids. The American Heart Association recommends not consuming more than 1500mg of sodium per day. If your body is retaining too much fluid, you may need to reduce it.
Step 2. Drink more water
When your body doesn't have enough water, your kidneys start collecting fluids by storing them in your body's soft tissues. This can cause swelling throughout the body, especially in the soft tissues of the face including the eyelids.
- To meet general health recommendations, men are encouraged to drink 13 glasses of water and women 9 glasses of water per day.
- If you are dehydrated, you should drink more water than recommended to get your body back in shape.
Step 3. Get enough sleep each night as recommended
Depending on how your body reacts to a lack of rest, sleep deprivation can cause dark circles under your eyes and/or swelling of your eyelids. Get used to having regular and consistent sleep patterns according to the recommendations from the Mayo Clinic which recommends adults get 7-8 hours of sleep every night.
Step 4. Make sure you don't suffer from an allergic reaction
Swollen eyelids accompanied by redness, itching, and watering are common side effects of allergies. Visit a doctor to treat allergies that are causing your swollen eyelids. If a positive test result indicates that an allergy is causing the swelling, stop using the product that caused the reaction or ask your doctor for a prescription if the allergen is unavoidable. Common causes of reactions that cause your eyelids to swell include:
- Make-up and or cleaning
- Oily facial cleanser
- Sunblock
- Mushrooms (in bedding and living quarters, in books, etc.)
- Mites or insects (including insect bites)
- Pollen
- Pet hair
- Food
Step 5. Use an eye mask when sleeping
Light pressure of the mask against the eyelids will prevent fluid buildup overnight.
