Under-eye swelling is a common condition caused by lack of sleep, stress, and fatigue. However, sometimes it can also indicate more serious health issues such as inflammation or allergic reactions in the eyes. Therefore, persistent under-eye swelling, especially when accompanied by other symptoms, should not be ignored. It may also indicate the presence of a chronic disease.
What Causes Under-Eye Swelling?
Under-eye swelling can be seen due to fluid accumulation, infections, and circulatory disorders in the tissues around the eyes. Some common causes include:
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Fatigue: It can cause swelling by leading to fluid accumulation under the eyes.
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Allergies: Swelling due to eye edema can occur in reactions caused by allergens such as pollen, dust mites, and animal fur.
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Sinusitis: Inflammation of the sinuses near the eye area can cause pressure and swelling.
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Salty Diet and Low Water Consumption: Excessive consumption of salty foods can lead to water retention in the body and cause edema.
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Eye Infections: Conditions like styes or conjunctivitis can present with swelling accompanied by pain, redness, and discharge.
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Kidney Disorders: Eye area edema that is more prominent in the mornings may be a sign of kidney-related edema.
What Causes Sudden Under-Eye Swelling?
Sudden under-eye swelling can result from a variety of factors. These include excessive salt consumption, allergic reactions, lack of sleep, dehydration, and certain health issues.
Excessive salt consumption can cause the body to retain water and lead to swelling around the eyes. Allergic reactions, on the other hand, increase histamine levels in the body, resulting in fluid accumulation in the tissues.
Lack of sleep and dehydration can cause temporary under-eye swelling. Sleeplessness leads to blood vessel dilation and causes the skin around the eyes to appear darker, while dehydration might cause mild swelling due to a lack of fluid.
Health issues or side effects of medications can also lead to sudden under-eye swelling. For example, conditions such as kidney disease or thyroid problems can cause the uneven distribution of fluid in the body, leading to swelling in the under-eye areas. Similarly, some medications might disrupt the body's fluid balance, causing swelling under the eyes.
If the swelling under the eyes develops rapidly and is accompanied by other symptoms, you may need to seek medical help.
What Causes Swelling Under One Eye?
Swelling under one eye can be caused by allergic reactions, eye infections, or facial trauma. Factors such as lack of sleep, excessive salt intake, and alcohol can also lead to swelling under one eye.
A blockage in the tear duct can also lead to swelling under one eye. This can occur with situations like crying, runny nose, and cold.
If you notice swelling under one eye in the morning, it could be due to your sleeping position. Sleeping with your face pressed into a pillow can cause pressure that makes the fluid around one eye move to the other side.
If you experience persistent or severe swelling under one eye, it could signal a serious health issue. Conditions like kidney disease or hyperthyroidism have been associated with unilateral under-eye swelling. Therefore, it is important to seek professional medical assistance if you encounter such a symptom.
Under-Eye Swelling in Babies
The delicate skin and thin blood vessels in babies can lead to mild swelling in the under-eye area. However, such swelling is generally temporary and does not require special treatment. If the swelling becomes persistent or begins to affect your baby's vision, you should consult a healthcare professional.
Eye infections can also cause under-eye swelling in babies. If your baby's eyes are red and watery, this could be a sign of an infection.
Allergies can also cause under-eye swelling in babies. Allergens such as pollen, dust mites, and pet fur can cause swelling around your baby's eyes. If allergic reactions are suspected, identifying and eliminating the source of the allergy is necessary.
Excessive crying can also lead to under-eye swelling in babies. Excessive crying can cause blood vessels to dilate, leading to mild swelling around the eyes.
Under-eye swelling in babies is usually not a cause for concern, but understanding the underlying cause of the symptom is important. If there is persistent swelling under your baby's eyes or other discomfort symptoms are observed, it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional.
Under-Eye Swelling in Children
Swelling frequently observed in children can result from various allergic reactions or infectious diseases.
Firstly, seasonal allergies (allergic rhinitis) may be present. With the increase of pollen in the spring, it is likely for your child to experience continuous nasal discharge and the urge to rub the eyes in such situations.
The habit of rubbing the eyes can also cause under-eye swelling. Children's unconscious or stressed rubbing of their eyes can irritate the sensitive capillaries in the area and consequently cause swelling.
Infections caused by viruses or bacteria can lead to redness and swelling in the eye. In such cases, parents should be aware of symptoms like high fever and general fatigue.
One of the most common causes of swelling around the eyes in children is trauma. Blows taken during sports activities or energetic games can lead to edema and swelling around the eyes. In such cases, if the swelling becomes prolonged or painful, it is necessary to seek help from a healthcare professional.
What Treatments Are Applied to Under-Eye Swelling?
Treatment methods are determined according to the cause of the swelling.
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Allergy-Related Swelling
Medications called antihistamines are used. Antihistamines work by blocking the body's histamine response to alleviate allergy symptoms. Special eye drops can also be prescribed to relieve discomfort and itching.
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Infection Cases
Eye infections can be bacterial or viral and are often treated with antibiotic drops. More serious infections may require systemic medication.
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Tear Duct Blockage
In this type of blockage, massage techniques are recommended to encourage the opening of the duct. Applying warm compresses can also help reduce swelling and discomfort. In advanced cases, probing may be necessary.
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Post-Trauma
After eye injury or trauma, cold applications are usually recommended to reduce swelling. Prescription or over-the-counter pain relievers can also be used to alleviate pain and discomfort.
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Chronic Cases
In long-term or recurring eye swelling, comprehensive evaluation may be necessary to identify underlying systemic problems such as kidney or thyroid disease.
Frequently Asked Questions
What could under-eye swelling indicate?
Under-eye swelling could stem from simple causes such as fatigue, lack of sleep, excessive salt consumption, or allergies, but it could also indicate more serious health issues like infections, tear duct blockage, sinusitis, or kidney diseases. It is especially important to consult an eye doctor if there is swelling in one eye that is painful, red, or persistent.
What should be done if there is swelling in one eye?
Unilateral under-eye swellings are generally related to a local issue. Conditions such as dental abscesses, eyelid cysts (chalazion), styes, or inflammation in the tear gland may be the cause. In such cases, the shape, duration, and accompanying symptoms of the swelling should be evaluated through an examination by a specialized eye doctor.
How to relieve under-eye swelling caused by allergies?
In allergy-induced under-eye swelling, it is essential first to identify and eliminate the allergen. Applying cold compresses, avoiding rubbing the eyes, and using antihistamine medications or allergy-specific eye drops as recommended by a doctor can also provide an effective solution.
Do under-eye swellings resolve on their own?
Some mild conditions, swellings caused by sleep deprivation, stress, fatigue, or temporary allergic reactions can resolve on their own with rest, adequate water consumption, and cold applications. However, recurrent, prolonged, or painful swellings should always be evaluated by a specialized doctor.