Bags under the eyes: 12 causes of the problem
Swelling of the area under the eyes is a very common problem that causes a lot of inconvenience. The subcutaneous tissue in these places has a very loose structure and contains almost no collagen fibers. In addition, the skin under the eyes is constantly squeezed and stretched - when a person squeezes his eyes shut, blinks, etc. All this creates the preconditions for the appearance of so-called bags, which give the face a tired and painful look and visually add age.
Source: depositphotos.com
The immediate causes of the accumulation of fluid in the infraocular zone can be very different - from easily removable flaws in the daily routine to serious diseases of the internal organs.
Power supply errors
People suffering from puffiness of the periocular zones often attribute this to excessive fluid intake. This reason does exist, but not always. The body retains only excess fluid that was drunk immediately before bedtime - then the kidneys simply do not have time to remove water. However, swelling is observed in "water lovers", and, on the contrary, in people who limit fluid intake: because of this, the body begins to reduce the activity of the kidneys to create water reserves in the tissues.
Excessive enthusiasm for smoked, spicy and salty foods, and alcoholic beverages also contributes to fluid retention in the body.
Household reasons
Puffiness of the under-eyes often occurs as a result of the most common life phenomena. It can be provoked by:
- fatigue of the eye muscles after long-term work at the computer, reading, sewing, doing small handicrafts, driving a car;
- lack of sleep or interrupted night rest;
- prolonged crying (especially against the background of severe nervous overstrain);
- wrong posture during sleep. So, the habit of sleeping without a pillow contributes to the formation of bags under the eyes;
- being in a smoky room (including with active or passive smoking);
- contact with a foreign body or contact with an aggressive agent (acid, hot fat, corrosive vapors).
A bag under the eye can be the result of a head injury (most often the forehead, bridge of the nose, or temple). Moreover, edema sometimes plays the role of a protective cushion that protects the eye from force. However, this phenomenon should not be considered positive, since the subcutaneous tissue, oversaturated with fluid, is easily infected.
Excessive passion for cosmetics
The abuse of cosmetics by the fairer sex creates additional factors that contribute to the appearance of bags under the eyes. The reason may be:
- excessive amount of tonal creams, powder or shadows on the eyelids and the area around the eyes, as well as incomplete removal of makeup before bedtime;
- the use of poorly selected or low-quality cosmetics;
- improper use of moisturizers. Each of these products contains 80 to 90% water. When applying too thick a layer of cream on the face, some of the liquid can be absorbed into the skin and create swelling;
- cosmetic procedures. The so-called botulinum toxin-based beauty injections (Botox, Dysport) create temporary disruptions in the lymphatic outflow system and contribute to the appearance of subcutaneous fluid accumulations.
Swelling under the eyes can occur in women at the end of the menstrual cycle against the background of excess estrogen. In expectant mothers, swelling is often observed in late pregnancy, when the kidneys can hardly cope with the increased load and do not quickly remove water from the body.
Physiological features
Some people have a hereditary feature - excess fat in the subcutaneous tissue. Because of this, their eyes constantly look slightly swollen, which does not depend on the state of health.
Puffiness of the area under the eyes can also appear in the presence of excess weight, as well as in old age due to changes in the structure of the skin and a drop in the tone of the eye muscles.
Allergy
If the puffiness of the under-eyes is accompanied by tearing, sore eyes, nasal congestion, sneezing, photophobia, and redness of the eyelids, an allergic reaction may be the cause. Tap water, pet hair, plant pollen, food products, and medicines are often used as an aggressive agent.
In this situation, discomfort and bags under the eyes disappear when contact with the allergen stops. Antihistamines and anti-itch creams or gels can help speed up your recovery. But medications must be prescribed by a doctor.
Eye pathologies
Edema often occurs with eye diseases such as blepharitis, conjunctivitis, scleritis, ptosis, eversion of the eyelid, and malignant neoplasms.
Inflammatory processes in the mouth or sinuses
If an ugly bag is formed under only one eye, it is often due to infection of nearby tissues - an abscess in the oral cavity, flux, inflammation of the gums, purulent process in the nasal sinus, inflammation of the facial nerve or lacrimal gland.
Intervertebral hernia of the cervical spine
When a herniated disc becomes the cause of puffiness, the cosmetic defect is accompanied by:
- violation of coordination of movements;
- weakness;
- persistent headaches and other pains;
- feeling of "goose bumps" on the body;
- pain in the cervical spine;
- stiffness;
- disruption of the peripheral nervous system. This is manifested by a change in the sensitivity of certain parts of the body.
The listed symptoms appear gradually, and in the initial stages of the disease, puffiness under the eyes may be its only symptom.
Kidney disease
Swelling with dysfunction of the urinary system is sometimes called free-floating due to the ability to move from one area of the body to another. At the same time, bags under the eyes regularly appear in the morning. There is also a uniform swelling of the face (patients after sleep notice prints of folds of bedding on the skin).
With the progression of the disease, other symptoms develop: a decrease in the amount and change in the color of urine, dysuria, an increase in blood pressure. "Kidney" edema is considered particularly difficult to treat.
Liver pathology
Liver diseases are manifested not only by accumulations of fluid under the eyes, but also by swelling of the hands (especially fingers). In addition, patients complain:
- for nausea, belching;
- a feeling of bitterness in the mouth;
- pain in the hypochondrium on the right.
People with liver pathologies may experience discoloration of the skin and sclera (yellowness), as well as urine (darkens) and feces (becomes light). Such conditions are dangerous because they are clearly manifested when the disease is already thoroughly neglected.
Heart and vascular problems
Cardiovascular pathologies are manifested by cyanosis or pallor of the skin, one-sided edema of the face, instability of blood pressure, tachycardia, shortness of breath, weakness, dizziness, pain in the heart, feeling of coldness in the extremities.
If bags under the eyes are accompanied by evening swelling of the lower parts of the legs (legs, ankles and feet), as well as the listed symptoms, this is an alarming sign that requires immediate medical attention.
Source: depositphotos.com
Vitamin deficiency
Swelling of the under-eyes may indicate a lack of vitamin B5 in the body. Along the way, headaches and muscle pains, fatigue, numbness of the feet, insomnia, and depression are observed.
In this case, it is required to take vitamin preparations or brewer's yeast, as well as the inclusion in the diet of milk, eggs, green vegetables, buckwheat and hazelnuts, which are natural sources of this vitamin.
The causes of puffiness under the eyes are not always harmless. Such a cosmetic defect can be the result of serious malfunctions in the body. If bags under the eyes occur regularly, this is a good reason for a medical examination.
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Maria Kulkes Medical journalist About the author
Education: First Moscow State Medical University named after I. M. Sechenov, specialty "General Medicine".
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