Undereye puffiness, bags and dark circles happen for many reasons. Patients of any age can develop puffy eyes, and the condition may be short-term or chronic. In most cases, having bags under your eyes is simply a sign that you need to make some simple lifestyle changes. In other cases, the puffiness may indicate Graves’ disease, orbital trauma and other conditions that require treatment.
What Causes Undereye Puffiness?
Bags under your eyes indicate the presence of excess fluid, a condition that is referred to as edema. The reason for the fluid build-up varies, and some of the most common reasons are:
- Dehydration
- Excessive salt intake
- Fatigue
- Stress
- Aging
- Graves’ disease
- Damage to the eye
- Allergies
- Smoking and consuming alcohol
At-Home Treatments for Occasional Eye Puffiness
Occasional undereye eyes are not cause for concern and may indicate that you should make some simple lifestyle changes, such as:
- Drink more water
- Reduce salt intake and alcohol consumption
- Get more quality sleep
- Find ways to reduce stress
- Use over-the-counter medications for allergies
We recommend that you follow these improvements for a few weeks to see how well they help with undereye bags, dark circles and puffiness.
When to See a Doctor
Three situations indicate that you should consult with Dr. Tresley about your undereye bags.
- The puffiness does not resolve with lifestyle changes
- The swelling is accompanied by pain, vision changes, blood in the eye, bruising and other symptoms
- Chronic puffiness affects how you feel about your appearance
Dr. Tresley will determine the underlying cause of your eye puffiness and recommend a course of treatment. If the puffiness is aesthetic in nature, you may be a good candidate for cosmetic eyelid surgery.
Learn More About Treatments for Puffy Eyes. Contact Dr. Daniel Tresley.
To learn more about cosmetic eyelid surgery, treatment for Graves’ disease, orbital conditions and our other services, contact Dr. Daniel Tresley today to schedule a personal consultation. Dr. Tresley also offers non-surgical anti-aging treatments for the eyes and face. Our office in Northbrook serves residents of the Chicago area, and you can contact us directly at (847) 291-6900.