You Have A Secret Sunburn
Yep, it’s possible to get a sunburn even if you don’t feel like you’ve been soaking up rays. “Ultraviolet light exposure from your everyday activities adds up, says Joshua Zeichner, MD, director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital. Not only can this cause redness, but in some cases, swelling as well.
Nix your chances of getting a sunburn by applying sunscreen daily. And if you’ve already gotten a sunburn, Dr. Zeichner suggests applying a light moisturizing lotion to soothe and hydrate your skin. If the burn is uncomfortable or doesn’t improve in a few days, visit a dermatologist for professional treatment.
The Top Reason For Doctor Visits
In the United States, the most reported health problem each year is sinusitis. It is the reason why millions of people visit their doctors and healthcare providers. When the buildup of mucus becomes too much in the sinus cavities, this problem becomes sinusitis. This condition often mimics symptoms associated with the common cold. One other cause of sinusitis is allergic reactions that affect the nasal area which usually happens during spring.
Can Allergies Cause Swollen Eyelids
Yes, allergies can cause swelling of the eyelids. This is often caused by the contact of allergens like dust, pollen, or pet dander within the eye, eyelid, or eyelashes. The swelling can be accompanied by itching, but is not usually painful. It often occurs in conjunction with a red eye which may also be triggered by the same allergen. An over-the-counter allergy medication might help.
You May Like: Best Medicine For Sinus Pressure And Congestion
You Have Cushing’s Syndrome
Cortisol is a stress hormone, but it also helps regulate your blood pressure, blood sugar, and a slew of other things. When too much of it gets pumped out by your adrenal glands, it can lead to Cushings syndrome, a condition characterized by a round, moon-shaped face, skin that bruises easily, and thicker or more body hair.
Cushing’s syndrome affects women nearly three times more often than men, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases , and it often crops up in people who have been on glucocorticoids, which help inflammation, per the NIDDK.
Left untreated, Cushing’s syndrome can lead to heart attack, stroke, and type 2 diabetes, among other medical issues, says the NIDDK.
Puffy Eyes Due To Allergies
Allergies can lead to a build-up of fluids in and around the eyes. Allergies can manifest in people in different ways, and one of the more common symptoms includes sneezing and watering or swollen eyes. Also, allergies can appear in the form of itchy eyes and constant scratching would lead to swelling in the area.
Eye allergies can be caused by:
- Pollution
- Animal Fur
- Perfume
Puffy eyes are triggered a lot by allergies, so you must be aware of what you are allergic to and do your best to avoid situations or places that would expose you to these triggers.
For instance, you can avoid owning or being around pets if you are allergic to them. You can also keep your allergy medication such as nasal decongestants, antihistamines, and eye drops handy to help ease the reactions.
Recommended Reading: How To Heal A Sinus Infection Without Antibiotics
Irrigation Can Be An Effective Cure
If puffy eyes are troubling you like a disaster and you want to get rid of puffy eye bags fast, then use medical treatment or home remedies for puffy eye bags. The swelling of puffy eye can be minimized at a great extent with irrigation. For this process, you can use waterpik device and set it to low. You must have used it for infants else there is a spray bottle for nasal that can be used to put solution in nasal cavity. To make solution of irrigation, you should take salt for 1 tsp, ¼ tsp baking powder and boiled water. Boil the solution all together and when it will be cooled, then you can use it as your irrigation solution.
How Bad Can Swollen Eyes Get
Eye allergies are also known as allergic conjunctivitis, but unlike other forms of conjunctivitis , eye allergies are not contagious, notes the American Academy of Ophthalmology . And eye allergies usually affect both eyes.
In addition to burning or teary, watery eyes, allergies may make you sensitive to light, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America . A runny nose, cough, or headache often go hand in hand with eye allergies. The AAFA also adds that your vision may be briefly blurry and you may feel distracted or sluggish and unproductive.
RELATED: Allergy Symptoms and Diagnosis
Read Also: Best Over The Counter Allergy Medicine For Sinus Pressure
How Is Eyelid Swelling Treated
You can treat most cases of eyelid swelling with simple at-home remedies, such as cool compresses for occasional and swelling. However, you should see a doctor promptly for chronic, or suddenly or severely swollen eyelids, especially if you are experiencing other symptoms or there are changes in your vision.
In most cases, treating the underlying cause of eyelid swelling will help resolve swelling. See an for an accurate diagnosis or for referral to a specialist who can address the primary cause.
Medical treatments may include:
- Allergy treatment, including allergy shots and prescription allergy medicine
- Antibiotic eye drops or oral antibiotics for bacterial infections
- Antiviral eye drops or ointments in case of herpes or
- Corticosteroids or other types of anti-inflammatory eye drops
- Incision and drainage of a stye, chalazion or
- Medication and other therapies to treat the underlying condition causing swelling, such as thyroid hormone for and diuretics for heart failure
- Removal of foreign object in the eye or eyelid
What Causes Puffy Eyes
Pain, tenderness and swelling around your eyes is a telltale sign of a sinus infection. It occurs because when the sinuses are blocked, nothing drains well. And blockage, in turn, leads to inflammation and fluid retention. Therefore because your sinuses are all connected, not only will your nasal passages be swollen, so will the thin-skinned area under your eyes.
Also Check: Sinus Infection Vs Flu Vs Cold
Puffy Cheeks Bulimia Or Bulimia Puffy Chipmunk Cheeks
Bulimia is a psychological eating disorder that is characterized by episodes of binge eating followed by inappropriate methods of weight control, such as vomiting, fasting, enemas, excessive use of laxatives and diuretics, or compulsive exercising.
Bulimia is known to cause gastric reflux , swollen salivary glands and puffy or swollen cheeks. Bulimia cure will involve behavioral change therapies, stress management as well as the use of antidepressants. For bulimia puffiness go away completely, you need to be patient since it can take up to 3 months once you beat bulimia.
Box 1 Differential Diagnosis
-
Neoplasm
-
Eyelid insect bite
The orbital septum is a thin membrane that originates from the orbital periosteum and inserts into the anterior surfaces of the tarsal plates of the eyelids. The septum separates the superficial eyelid from the deeper orbital structures, and it forms a barrier that prevents infection in the eyelid from extending into the orbit. Preseptal cellulitis differs from orbital cellulitis in that it is confined to the soft tissues that are anterior to the orbital septum.
Orbital allergic reaction includes, conjunctival injection, blepharitis, periorbital dermatitis, and oedema of the eyelid. Pruritis and oedema are the most common clinical findings, although this is usually bilateral.
Table 1 shows the main differences in presentation between cellulitis and eye allergy.
Table 1
Difference in presentation
Within the accident and emergency or general practice setting it is important to recognise an infected eye that requires urgent specialist referral.
The distinction between preseptal cellulitis and orbital cellulitis is important, but this is often difficult clinically and can be made by the appropriate specialist who has access to investigations such as CT scans.
Fluid Retention Due To Other Medical Conditions
Fluid can gather throughout the body if you are retaining fluid – a condition called oedema. Whilst fluid retention is often noticeable in the fingers, around the lips and lower face, around the feet and ankles, and in the lower part of the back, you may notice it first in your eyelids because of the effect this has on your facial appearance.
Sinus Trouble: Consider The Causes
Not only can seasonal allergies or chronic allergies impact the sinuses, but humid air can cause a clogged or stuffy feeling in the nose. An infectioneither brief or long-lastingcan also take hold.
Sinusitis ailments are not only a burden for allergy sufferers, they can be a challenge for doctors, too, especially as patients and doctors alike are on high alert for warning signs of a possible COVID-19 infection. Three of the most common causes of sinus symptoms are allergies, viral infections and bacterial infections. But these can be tough to tell apart because of overlapping symptoms.
Whats The Next Step In Finding Permanent Relief
If youre ready to look and more importantly, feel, better, schedule an appointment with one of our experienced physicians at CT Sinus Center by calling 860-BALLOON. With four conveniently-located offices Kent, Litchfield, Shelton and Waterbury well have you leaving feeling swell in no time rather than swelling.
How You Can Find Relief
Its important to review your sinusitis symptoms and how long youve been having them with a physician. Teladoc doctors can help you determine the possible cause of your symptoms, especially if youre concerned you may have COVID-19. If your sinus problems are caused by allergies, there are strategies and medications that can help bring relief. While bothersome mucus is often an effect of a viral infection, a bacterial infection can develop after a virus has taken hold. In this case, oral antibiotics can help with healing.
Regardless of whats causing all this congestion, try to put the to-do list aside and get some rest. If youre having pain, you can take an over-the-counter pain reliever like acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Petroleum jelly can soothe a sore nose on the outside, while nasal drops or a nasal irrigation device can help flush out nasal passages on the inside. Treat and blow each nostril separately, Dr. Hood says.
Also, dont forget about all that mucus youre losing: Moisture should play a key role in your return to good health. Drink plenty of liquids like water, juice, warm broth or soup, Dr. Hood says, and use a cool-mist humidifier to soothe the airways, especially when sleeping. Steam from hot showers can help reduce inflammation and make breathing easier. Also try a warm compress on the nose, cheekbones or forehead for relief from sinusitis symptoms, he adds.
1https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/sinuses.htm
When A Swollen Eyelid Is An Emergency
Seek immediate treatment in the emergency room or call 911 if:
- You have a swollen eyelid along symptoms of anaphylaxis : Such as difficulty breathing with swelling of the face, tongue, and hands
- You also have body pain, high fever, and rash
- You also notice pain and/or vision changes when you try to move the eyeball to look around
- You discover a foreign body somewhere in or underneath the eyelid
Facial Nose Or Eyelid Surgery
Eyelid surgery, sometimes done to correct entropion or ectropion , or for cosmetic reasons, is an example of intentional injury to the eyelids which causes bruising and swelling. The eyelids can be so swollen after eyelid procedures that you can’t see for several days. See the separate leaflet called Eyelid Surgery.
Eyelid swelling and bruising also tend to result from other surgery to the nose and lower face. This is because the blood – and the swelling – from these procedures tends to track behind the skin of the face to areas where it can pool easily, and this includes the eyelids. The bruising and swelling can be dramatic and can take several weeks to settle down completely.
Do I Need To See A Doctor For My Puffy Eyes
Probably not, Dr. Gabriel says. Puffy eyes are generally going to be caused by anatomical factors, along with environmental factors, such as allergies, or extra fluid retention from PMS. Normally, they’re not going to be a red flag for a more serious condition.
However, Dr. Gabriel says, if you suspect your puffy eyes may be linked to a thyroid issue, or if you’re having pain behind your eyes, or an abnormally severe case of water retention, you should seek medical attention immediately.
Other than that, any puffiness you have around your eyes is totally normal, and nothing to be worried about or embarrassed of. If you do want de-puff and minimize the appearance of undereye bags, the products below can help you out.
How To Get Puffy Cheeks
If you would get cheeks that are puffy, there are many ways to go about it that include face or cheek exercise, pinching your cheeks, face yoga, moisturizing your cheeks, scrubbing your cheeks with sugar and shea butter scrub, eating apples, applying aloe vera, cosmetic surgeries, injections, among others.
The Lowdown On Stressed Sinuses
A flare-up of seasonal allergies, called hay fever, causes stuffy noses and irritated sinuses. But allergy sufferers will notice mainly that they have a runny nose with clear output and itchy, watery eyes. Their symptoms are also often tied to certain times of year and specific allergens like animal dander, dust, pollen or mold.
If youre plugged up with thick mucus thats green or yellow, you could have an infection. Sinus infectionswhether caused by bacteria or a viruscan also bring along other symptoms like mild headache, fatigue, weakness or a cough. Viruses are far more likely to be the cause of sinus infections. Certain symptoms increase the probably of bacterial sinusitis:
- Persistent sinusitis symptoms for longer than 10 days, especially with double worsening. This means symptoms start to improve and then get worse a few days later.
- A fever, especially a high one over 102 .
- Asymmetric pain in one or more sinus areas. These include under or above the eyes and above the bridge of the nose.
Teladoc gives you best-in-class care from doctors from wherever you are. Access our doctors by phone or video to diagnose, treat and even prescribe medicine if needed for common conditions like allergies, cough, flu, pink eye, rashes, sinus infections, sore throats, stomach bugs, UTI and more. Schedule a visit now to talk to a doctor 24/7 for non-emergency conditions.
Can Sinusitis Be Prevented
Simple changes in your lifestyle or home environment can help lower the risk of sinusitis. For example, during the winter, use a humidifier to keep home humidity at 45%50%. This will stop dry air from irritating the sinuses and make them less of a target for infection. Clean your humidifier often to prevent mold growth.
When Should You Visit A Doctor
Most eye swellings will reduce or completely go away after 24 48 hours. However, if, for some reason, your swelling lasts longer than this time, it may be time to consult with a doctor.
For eye infections, the eye will normally be back to normal after a few days or with the help of some antibiotic treatments. You should still consult with a doctor to rule out the possibilities of a more serious infection.
If your eye shows any of these symptoms, you should seek medical assistance immediately:
- Blurry vision
When Should I Call The Doctor
- a cold that lasts for more than 710 days without improvement
- a cold that seems to be getting worse after 7 days of symptoms
- symptoms of allergies that don’t clear with the usual allergy medicine
Also call if your child shows any other signs of worsening sinusitis, such as:
- pain or pressure in the cheeks or around the eyes
- swelling around the eye
Causes Of Swelling Under One Eye
Sometimes, the swollen under eyes may be associated with fever, pain or itchiness in the eye or distorted vision. Such conditions could be a sign of some serious eye problem. There are more than 100 causes that can contribute to puffy eyes out if which some might be rare. To treat a condition, the cause must be identified first. Immediate medical consultation is a must when the matter is with your delicate eyes.
The prime cause of puffy eyes is the natural reactions of the tissues to either or more of the following:
- Allergic reactions
- Fluid retention
Other causes of puffy eyes include:
Cheek Puffiness During Pregnancy
img source: metroparent.com
During pregnancy, especially during the third trimester, some women tend to suffer from puffy or swollen cheeks and/or face, ankles, feet, etc. This could be attributed to many reasons among them the production of more fluids and blood required for child growth and development.
Mild Pain And Swelling Under Eye
Guestover a year ago
The swelling under the eye that could be accompanied by pain is a common complaint. There are many reasons that could be causing it, most of which are not evident.
I’m having this problem right now, its a sharp pain when I blink but dull the rest of the time, does anyone know what it is?
Hey yeah, same my left eye, around the bag of my eye area randomly swelled up and is a huge bump with tender spots it hurts enough to draw attention to it immediately, anyone has any idea what this is?
While moderate pain is usually present, the swelling under the eye can also be painless.
The swelling below the eye and there is no pain could anyone tell me what is the reason?
Many who have this problem joined the discussion trying to identify the cause and find the best treatment.
For the majority who reported the problem, it started in the morning, usually after waking up. A few participants reported the problem in the evening, that became worse in the morning. Many said it felt like a bruise or like they got punched in the face. The problem would usually become worse the next day.
Users reported this problem after using a computer or reading in low light, being worried that it might start to affect their vision. Other named causes including sinus infection , a stye , allergy, irritation , sleeping difficulties, etc.
Several users put the ice on the swollen spot to relieve the swelling and pain, however, the eye was still swollen and painful the next day.