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 subject to compression and stretching - when a person closes his eyes, blinks, etc. All this creates the preconditions for the appearance of so-called bags, which give the face a tired and painful appearance and visually add age.
The immediate causes of fluid accumulation in the under-eye area 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 swelling of the areas around the eyes often attribute this to excessive fluid intake. This reason does indeed occur, but not always. The body only retains excess fluid that was drunk immediately before bed - then the kidneys simply do not have time to remove the water. However, swelling is observed both in “water drinkers” and, on the contrary, in people who limit fluid intake: because of this, the body begins to reduce the activity of the kidneys in order to create water reserves in the tissues.
Fluid retention in the body is also facilitated by excessive indulgence in smoked, spicy and salty foods, and alcoholic drinks.
Household reasons
Puffiness of the undereyes often occurs as a result of the most common life events. It can be caused by:
- fatigue of the eye muscles after prolonged 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 strain);
- incorrect posture while sleeping. Thus, the habit of sleeping without a pillow contributes to the formation of bags under the eyes;
- being in a smoky room (including active or passive smoking);
- entry into the eye of a foreign body or contact with an aggressive agent (acid, hot fat, caustic vapors).
A bag under the eye can be the result of a head injury (most often in the forehead, bridge of the nose or temple). Moreover, swelling sometimes plays the role of a protective cushion, protecting 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
Abuse of cosmetics by representatives of the fairer sex creates additional factors contributing to the appearance of bags under the eyes. The reason may be:
- excessive amounts of foundation, powder or shadows on the eyelids and area around the eyes, as well as incomplete removal of decorative cosmetics before bedtime;
- use of poorly selected or low-quality cosmetics;
- improper use of moisturizers. Each such product contains from 80 to 90% water. When applying too thick a layer of cream to the face, some of the liquid may be absorbed into the skin and create swelling;
- cosmetic procedures. So-called beauty injections based on botulinum toxin (“Botox”, “Dysport”) create temporary disruptions in the lymphatic drainage system and contribute to the appearance of subcutaneous fluid accumulations.
Puffiness under the eyes can occur in women at the end of the menstrual cycle due to excess estrogen. In expectant mothers, swelling is often observed in the later stages of pregnancy, when the kidneys have difficulty coping with the increased load and do not remove water from the body quickly enough.
Physiological features
Some people have a hereditary trait - excess fat content in the subcutaneous tissue. Because of this, their eyes always look slightly swollen, which has nothing to do with their state of health.
Swelling of the area under the eyes can also appear if you are overweight, as well as in old age due to changes in the structure of the skin and a decrease in the tone of the eye muscles.
Allergy
If swelling under the eyes is accompanied by lacrimation, pain in the eyes, nasal congestion, sneezing, photophobia and redness of the eyelids, the cause may be an allergic reaction. Tap water, pet hair, plant pollen, food products, and medications often act as aggressive agents.
In this situation, discomfort and bags under the eyes disappear when contact with the allergen ceases. Antihistamines and anti-itching creams or gels will help speed up recovery. But medications must be prescribed by a doctor.
Eye pathologies
Edema often occurs against the background of eye diseases, such as blepharitis, conjunctivitis, scleritis, ptosis, ectropion and malignant neoplasms.
Inflammatory processes in the oral cavity or sinuses
If an unsightly bag forms under only one eye, this often occurs due to infection of nearby tissues - an abscess in the oral cavity, flux, inflammation of the gums, a purulent process in the nasal sinus, inflammation of the facial nerve or lacrimal gland.
Intervertebral hernia of the cervical spine
When the cause of swelling is a herniated disc, the cosmetic defect is accompanied by:
- impaired coordination of movements;
- weakness;
- persistent headaches and other pains;
- feeling of “goosebumps” all over 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 areas of the body.
The listed symptoms appear gradually, and in the initial stages of the disease, puffiness under the eyes may be its only sign.
Kidney diseases
Edema due to 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. Uniform swelling of the face is also observed (patients notice imprints of the folds of bed linen on the skin after sleep).
As the disease progresses, other symptoms develop: a decrease in the amount and change in the color of urine, dysuria, and increased blood pressure. “Renal” edema is considered particularly difficult to treat.
Liver pathologies
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;
- for pain in the hypochondrium on the right.
People suffering from liver pathologies may experience changes in the color of the skin and sclera (yellowness), as well as urine (darkens) and feces (becomes light). Such conditions are dangerous because they clearly manifest themselves when the disease is already thoroughly advanced.
Problems with the heart and blood vessels
Cardiovascular pathologies are manifested by cyanosis or pallor of the skin, unilateral swelling of the face, instability of blood pressure, tachycardia, shortness of breath, weakness, dizziness, pain in the heart, and a feeling of coldness in the extremities.
If bags under the eyes are accompanied by evening swelling of the lower legs (legs, ankles and feet), as well as the listed symptoms, this is an alarming sign that requires immediate consultation with a doctor.
Vitamin deficiency
Swelling under the eyes may indicate a lack of vitamin B5 in the body. Along the way, headaches and muscle pain, fatigue, numbness of the feet, insomnia, and depression are observed.
In this case, you need to take vitamin preparations or brewer's yeast, as well as include in the diet milk, eggs, green vegetables, buckwheat and hazelnuts, which are natural sources of this vitamin.
The causes of swelling under the eyes are not always harmless. Such a cosmetic defect can be a consequence of serious problems in the body. If bags under the eyes occur regularly, this is a good reason for a medical examination.
Video from YouTube on the topic of the article:
Some will say that bags under the eyes are just a cosmetic problem. Someone will think: well, I didn’t get enough sleep today, tomorrow I won’t even remember about it. But if, looking in the mirror every morning, you see swelling on your face, this is a reason to think, is it just a lack of sleep?
To make it clearer, let's say a few words about the anatomy of the orbit. The eyeball is a rather fragile organ and needs protection. Therefore, in the orbit it is surrounded on all sides by fatty tissue, which protects and cushions it. Separating this impressive amount of fat, called periorbital fat, from the delicate skin of the eyelids is a thin layer of connective tissue (membrane). It does not allow the periorbital tissue to extend beyond the orbit.
Anatomy of the orbit. In the figure 1 - periocular tissue, 2 - eyeball, 3 - membrane
Causes of bags under the eyes
The reasons for the appearance of “bags” under the eyes are a decrease in elasticity and overstretching of the membrane with its bulging and the formation of a hernial protrusion, which we see as “bags”. About three years ago, another reason was proven - the growth of the fiber itself, its increase in volume and protrusion beyond the orbit. Even a slight swelling of the fiber would not be so noticeable if not for its ability to accumulate fluid.
Edema significantly increases the volume of fatty tissue in the orbit and is caused by many reasons. Let's list a few: abuse of salt and alcohol, which lead to fluid retention in the body, excessive ultraviolet radiation (the skin, in defense, stores moisture), eye fatigue.
If the cause of bags under the eyes is fluid retention, they usually disappear in the afternoon. This is due to the activation of blood circulation during wakefulness and facilitating the removal of excess fluid from the upper half of the body.
If the “bags” under the eyes do not change during the day, then the growth of fiber is to blame. Most often, there is a genetic predisposition to this defect; the skin over it darkens, which visually only aggravates the problem.
With age, there is also a decrease in tissue elasticity and a gradual increase in the amount of fiber, specifically in the lower half of the orbit. Therefore, with age, the appearance of “bags” under the eyes becomes more common and requires fewer provoking factors. In addition, the older the patient, the greater the likelihood of developing diseases that contribute to fluid retention.
In the photo there are bags under the eyes
Diseases that cause bags under the eyes
The first thing a doctor thinks about when a patient comes to him with “bags” under the eyes is kidney diseases. In this case, swelling on the face appears quickly (within several hours), combined with general weakness, fever, pain in the lumbar region, changes in color, transparency and amount of urine. All of the above is typical for inflammatory kidney diseases, which are often complications of colds, sore throat, cystitis (inflammation of the bladder).
An additional factor for the appearance of edema in this case is the loss of albumin protein in the urine. Albumin is found in blood plasma and helps retain water in it. Healthy kidneys prevent it from getting into the urine. But with the disease, kidney function is impaired and in the laboratory it is possible to detect the release of one or another amount of protein in a general urine test. You can also recommend a general blood test, which will show signs of inflammation and an ultrasound of the kidneys. Monitoring your blood pressure won't hurt either.
Inflammatory diseases of the paranasal sinuses can also cause swelling of the tissue surrounding the eye. The respiratory sinuses are saccular extensions in the bone tissue associated with the nasal cavity and perform the function of humidifying and warming the inhaled air. If there is pain in the projection of the paranasal sinuses (on one or both sides), a runny nose (sometimes worse on the affected side), fever, headaches, then this speaks for this diagnosis. Inflammation can be either viral or bacterial in nature. The diagnosis is made based on a survey and examination of the patient, supported by X-ray data and a general blood test (to identify signs of inflammation). Inflammation of the maxillary (maxillary) sinus is called sinusitis. It is paired and is located to the right and left of the nose under the eye sockets. Frontitis is an inflammation of the frontal sinus, which is located to the right and left of the bridge of the nose just above the eyebrows.
For allergic diseases swelling under the eyes is also characteristic. Allergic inflammation of the mucous membrane of the eyes (conjunctivitis) can develop with increased sensitivity to certain substances (allergens) and is manifested by redness and swelling of the eyes, itching in the eyes. There is a seasonality of these symptoms associated with the flowering of trees and grasses. In this case, it is necessary to stop contact with the suspected (or known) allergen as quickly as possible and consult a doctor for treatment.
Conjunctivitis may not only be of an allergic nature, but also infectious and chemical. Bacteria enter the sensitive mucous membrane of the eyes when hygiene rules are violated with dirty hands, cosmetics and makeup devices. Dust and air pollution, low-quality cosmetics have an irritating effect. An ophthalmologist will look into the causes of conjunctivitis and prescribe treatment in accordance with the identified cause of the disease.
A separate line in the group of swelling around the eyes of an allergic nature is acute allergic edema (Quincke's edema). This is a rapidly developing allergic reaction that can be life-threatening. If you notice that after contact with any substance, swelling suddenly appears very quickly on the face and neck, a dry hacking cough, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing, then you must urgently call an ambulance. Quincke's edema affects not only the subcutaneous tissue, but also the mucous and muscular membranes. During an allergic reaction, substances are released that sharply increase the permeability of blood vessels to fluid and protein. When the walls of the larynx swell, it becomes difficult for air to enter the lungs and the person may suffocate. In the summer, Quincke's edema often develops after an insect bite (wasp, bee, fly), especially if the bite occurred in a place rich in blood vessels and close to the head.
Some acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI) also occur with symptoms of conjunctivitis and edema of the periorbital tissue. They combine symptoms of eye irritation, runny nose (rhinitis), fever and sore throat. This is typical for adenovirus infection.
A few words worth saying about hypothyroidism. The lack of production of thyroid hormones is manifested by nonspecific symptoms, including swelling of the face, arms, legs, internal organs, a decrease in general metabolism (obesity, constipation, slow pulse and speech, decreased memory and attention, dry skin, hair loss and nails). In an advanced form, myxedema develops - swelling of the skin and subcutaneous tissue throughout its entire length, elastic, not leaving a pit. The diagnosis is confirmed by laboratory testing, which reveals a decrease in the level of thyroid hormones in the blood and, with the help of an endocrinologist, adequate doses of replacement therapy are prescribed.
If “bags” under the eyes are combined with pain in the left half of the chest, palpitations, shortness of breath during exercise, swelling of the legs, then most likely their cause is heart disease. Chronic heart failure occurs when the heart cannot cope with pumping blood throughout the body, and organs (including the heart itself) suffer from a lack of oxygen and nutrients. Edema in heart failure first appears in the legs and gradually “rises” higher if appropriate treatment is not carried out. Swelling on the face and around the eyes can be a serious sign of anasarca - swelling of the entire subcutaneous tissue and internal organs, which threatens the patient’s life. To confirm heart disease, an ECG and ultrasound of the heart (ECHO-CG), monitoring of blood pressure and blood lipid levels are prescribed.
Bags under the eyes occur equally often in both women and men, only men are much less likely to pay attention to this symptom and, as a result, later seek medical advice. Bags under the eyes are also common in children.
Bags under the eyes of a child
The appearance of bags under a child's eyes does not always indicate health problems. Bags under the eyes in healthy children appear in the following cases: after a child has been crying or screaming for a long time, after drinking too much liquid or salty foods, after sleeping in a position where the child’s head is located below the body.
If the bags under the eyes of a child are not associated with diseases, they will go away on their own after the causes are eliminated. The appearance of bags under the eyes in a child can be caused by the same diseases as in adults, and in this case, consultation with a doctor is required. You need to consult a pediatrician if:
- Bags under the child's eyes appeared suddenly, accompanied by lacrimation, redness of the eyes, clear nasal discharge, and anxiety. In this case, it is likely that you have an allergy (Quincke's edema), which requires immediate medical attention.
- Bags under the eyes are combined with fever, headache, lower back pain, urinary disturbances (frequent or rare urination, blood in the urine). These symptoms indicate kidney disease.
- Bags under the eyes are accompanied by bulging fontanelles, anxiety, and crying of the child. The likely cause of swelling under the eyes of a child in this case is increased intracranial pressure.
- Bags under the eyes do not go away for a long time, increase over time, and are observed throughout the day.
Bags under the eyes during pregnancy
The appearance of bags under the eyes during pregnancy is often normal and is caused by salt and water retention in the pregnant woman's body. Excess fluid accumulates in adipose tissue and subcutaneous fat, causing the appearance of bags under the eyes, weight gain, and increased skin moisture.
But the appearance of swelling under the eyes of a pregnant woman may also indicate kidney disease, gestosis (dropsy) in pregnant women, or other diseases that threaten the life of not only the expectant mother, but also the fetus, so timely consultation with an obstetrician-gynecologist is necessary and a general urine test is required to exclude pathology.
Treatment for bags under the eyes
Treatment of “bags” under the eyes at home is only possible if the cause is swelling of the tissue, and not its pathological growth, and if this swelling does not appear as a result of any disease. In this case, folk remedies recommend restoring the work and rest regime, giving up bad habits, and following a diet with the correct content of salt, microelements, vitamins and fiber.
Among cosmetic folk remedies, cold and hot compresses with herbal infusions (sage, chamomile, tea, dill, fennel) will help remove bags under the eyes. It is possible to use self-massage and daily exercises to strengthen the eye muscles. After consulting a cosmetologist, professional hardware may be recommended to you. The most radical way to combat bags under the eyes is surgical treatment - blepharoplasty.
I would like to warn against the unreasonable use of medications not intended for the treatment of edema. In my practice, there was a case when a patient used ointment to treat hemorrhoids for swelling on her face (on the advice of friends). Needless to say, this led to disastrous results in the form of severe irritation and long-term treatment by a dermatologist. The skin of the eyelids is very delicate and requires special care.
You should not use diuretics without a doctor's recommendation. This can lead to an imbalance of microelements in the body, in particular potassium and sodium, which can lead to serious disturbances in the functioning of the heart.
“Bags” under the eyes by themselves do not bring pain or inconvenience to their wearer and only spoil the appearance. But if they are caused by serious illnesses, then delaying the time to see a doctor can negatively affect their prognosis. Incorrect treatment of kidney and heart diseases often leads to irreversible changes in these organs that threaten life. Allergic diseases can signal the onset of bronchial asthma.
Which doctor should I consult for bags under my eyes?
Only a doctor can understand all the nuances. In such cases, in addition to a cosmetologist, to exclude diseases as the cause of swelling of the periorbital tissue, it is necessary to visit a general practitioner. Consultations with narrow specialists are advisable only after additional examination, if necessary.
Bags under the eyes can appear in people of different ages and genders. They are not always just a cosmetic defect or indicate that a person is consuming too much liquid. It is necessary to pay attention to the accompanying symptoms, since facial swelling can be a manifestation of many serious diseases. If the causes of bags under the eyes are only physiological features or age-related changes in the skin, then you can use special methods and means for cosmetological elimination of the defect.
Content:
- How bags under the eyes form
- Reasons for the formation of bags
- Why does swelling form?
- Why do fatty hernias form in the eyelid area?
- Bags under the eyes during pregnancy
- Why do bags appear in children?
How bags under the eyes form
Bags are swellings that appear due to edema or as a result of the formation of a hernia under the lower eyelid.
The appearance of edema is caused by the accumulation of fluid in the tissues. There are a number of anatomical prerequisites for the formation of swelling around the eyes. The skin of the eyelids is weakly stretched, there is no fat layer in it, so it easily swells and sags, forming “bags”. The accumulation of fluid is facilitated by the presence of an extensive network of blood vessels. The skin in this area of the face is thin and stretches easily. Any disturbance in the outflow of fluid leads to swelling in the eye area.
The second type is bags formed as a result of the penetration of particles of periorbital fatty tissue under the skin, separating the eyeball and the orbit. The function of this layer is to protect the eye from shocks and shocks during human movement. Fat particles can pass through the pores, form lumps and fill the subcutaneous space, resulting in the formation of a fold (hernia) under the eyes.
This defect can appear in both young and old people. Most often, it does not cause any discomfort, but it affects a person’s appearance. In addition, the skin in the area of the bags darkens, which leads to the formation of bruises. If the hernia is large enough, it compresses the tear ducts. As a result, the eyes become watery.
Video: Edema formation. How to fix a defect
Reasons for the formation of bags
The occurrence of swelling and the formation of a hernia can occur both for completely natural reasons, and as a result of pathological processes occurring in the body. If bags are formed due to illness, then, as a rule, other unpleasant symptoms appear.
Why does swelling form?
“Non-dangerous” swelling does not last long, disappears on its own, and can be eliminated with simple home methods, as well as with the help of cosmetic procedures. Pathological edema is associated with various diseases requiring medical or surgical treatment.
Non-hazardous reasons
These include irritation of the organs of vision and temporary disruption of the water balance in the body. They can appear only in the morning or are observed at any time of the day.
Morning swelling under the eyes. The reasons for their appearance are:
- Drinking too much liquid during the day and especially before bed. In this case, the kidneys cannot cope with its removal from the body, and it lingers in the tissues. First of all, swelling of the skin becomes noticeable in the eyelid area.
- Fluid retention in tissues due to drinking large amounts of alcohol.
- Addiction to salty and spicy foods. With its constant use in large quantities, the water-salt balance in the body is disrupted. Sodium is able to retain water in tissues, causing them to swell.
Warning: Edema forms if a person, on the contrary, drinks very little liquid. In this case, the balance is also disturbed, the body reflexively begins to store it in the tissues. Therefore, it is necessary to consume at least 2 liters of fluid per day (including liquid meals, water, tea, coffee and other drinks).
The cause of bags under the eyes may be the habit of sleeping without a pillow. The outflow of venous blood and lymphatic fluid from the head is disrupted, which leads to the formation of edema.
Watery eyes and eye irritation. During the day, bags appear after crying, as well as due to lack of sleep or eye fatigue when doing work that requires eye strain. Watery eyes can be caused by eye irritation from caustic substances (for example, onion juice or household chemicals), smoke, or foreign bodies.
Violation of the outflow of fluid and the formation of edema occurs due to rubbing cosmetics containing large amounts of water into the skin. It is especially important to cleanse the skin around the eyes of cosmetics before going to bed.
Physiological processes in the body. Bags under the lower eyelid can be a genetic feature of appearance. Moreover, they occur in a healthy person and have no connection with diseases.
Swelling can appear as a result of age-related changes in the condition of the skin. However, they will exist for life; other symptoms are often absent.
Physiological fluid retention in the body occurs in women in the last days of menstruation. The reason for this is an increase in estrogen levels, which contribute to the accumulation of sodium, which retains fluid.
Due to hormonal changes in the body, slight swelling under the eyes may appear during pregnancy. If there are no deviations in your health, then there is no need to worry about this.
As we age, the skin ages and loses elasticity due to decreased collagen production in the body. Therefore, folds under the lower eyelid and swelling of the face appear in older people.
Pathological causes of edema
These include diseases of various organs, as well as eye injuries. As a rule, the occurrence of a particular disease can be judged by the presence of other characteristic symptoms. Swelling in the area of the visual organs appears in the presence of the following pathologies:
- Inflammatory kidney diseases. It is characteristic that in this case the bags appear immediately a few hours after the onset of the inflammatory process. There is an increase in body temperature and blood pressure. Pain in the lower back appears, the nature of urination changes. With glomerulonephritis (inflammation of the kidney vessels), blood appears in the urine. Pyelonephritis (inflammation of the renal pelvis) is manifested by cloudy urine and pain in the groin area. Possible weight gain due to fluid retention in body tissues.
- Sinusitis (inflammation of the sinuses). In addition to the fact that within a few days of illness, swelling forms under the eyes, purulent discharge from the nose and impaired nasal breathing appear. The temperature rises.
- The body's reaction to exposure to allergens. In this case, swelling can appear quickly. The person’s condition worsens: the eyes become red and watery, nasal discharge appears, frequent sneezing, itchy skin, and shortness of breath occur. At the same time, the body temperature does not increase.
- Thyroid diseases. When a goiter or tumor forms, the blood vessels are compressed. Impaired blood flow from the face leads to bags in the eyelid area. You can guess the disease by a thickening of the neck, shortness of breath, difficulty swallowing and other symptoms. Hypothyroidism is characterized not only by the formation of bags under the eyes, but also by the appearance of general weakness, depression, and obesity. Women experience menstrual disorders.
- Diseases that lead to disruption of blood flow from the head. The superior vena cava is compressed, resulting in swelling on the face, increasing its size. Specific symptoms such as nosebleeds, headaches, cough, and wheezing in the throat appear. As a rule, the cause is malignant diseases of the lungs, mammary glands, liver, and ovary.
- Heart failure. In this case, bags occur simultaneously with the worsening of other symptoms of the disease (shortness of breath, swelling of the legs, physical weakness). In this case, swelling intensifies in the evening, and by morning it decreases.
- Eye diseases. These include conjunctivitis, blepharitis, tumors and others. In this case, swelling occurs under the affected eye.
- Head injuries, especially to the face and eyes.
- Intervertebral hernia. If it is located in the neck area, then swelling often occurs on one side of the face. Associated symptoms are headaches, poor coordination of movements, and pain in the spine.
- Liver diseases. In addition to bags under the eyelids, swelling of the hands, pain in the hypochondrium, heartburn, bitterness in the mouth, and yellowing of the skin and eyes occur.
When pathological conditions are identified, it is necessary to treat the underlying disease.
Video: Formation of swelling under the eyes. Diagnosis and treatment
Why do fatty hernias form in the eyelid area?
The cause of the appearance of bags under the eyes (in the form of hernias) may be a hereditary predisposition to insufficient production of skin proteins that make it elastic. Fat folds also appear due to the structural features of the orbit.
The formation of fat folds can occur due to overwork and lack of sleep, as well as exposure to UV radiation (prolonged exposure to the sun or frequent visits to the solarium). Often a hernia appears after an eye disease. In women, the cause of such a defect on the face may be a hormonal imbalance.
The formation of thickenings in the eyelid area is promoted by smoking and frequent alcohol consumption.
Note: How can you find out that there is a hernia under the eye? If you lightly press on the eyeball, the thickening increases in size.
Bags under the eyes during pregnancy
During this period, women's kidneys work with increased load. If they do not have time to remove fluid, then physiological swelling appears under the lower eyelid, and skin moisture increases. There may be accumulation of fluid in adipose tissue, the amount of which increases during this period. This is what explains the increase in body weight in the first months of pregnancy, when the weight of the fetus is still very small.
However, the increased load on the kidneys and other organs also leads to the appearance of pathological edema in pregnant women. Based on some signs, you can understand whether the formation of bags is a natural process or indicates the emergence of some kind of health threat.
For example, the pathology is too rapid an increase in body weight and the simultaneous appearance of bags in the lower eyelid area. Normally, a woman’s weight should increase by 10-12 kg throughout pregnancy.
The formation of edema in late pregnancy is not as dangerous as in the first months. The appearance of bags under the lower eyelid may indicate acute kidney disease (for example, kidney inflammation or stone formation). Edema often becomes a symptom of exacerbation of chronic kidney or heart diseases.
Why do bags appear in children?
The causes of bags under the eyes in children are not always dangerous. There is nothing special, for example, in the fact that swelling appeared in a child after he cried.
It is harmful for children, as well as adults, to consume a lot of salt and get carried away with spices. If you give your child salty foods or smoked foods, he will drink a lot and then wake up in the morning with swelling. You should not give your baby watermelon, or a lot of tea or milk before bedtime.
“Harmless” swelling disappears on its own, you just need to establish a drinking regimen and change your diet accordingly.
The pathological causes of swelling and circles under the eyes in children are:
- congenital disorder of the development of the genitourinary organs, in which there is a reflux of urine from the bladder into the kidneys;
- the presence of kidney stones;
- acute or chronic inflammatory processes in the kidneys;
- Congenital heart defect;
- hypothyroidism is a malfunction of the thyroid gland (as a rule, a child with this disease experiences excess body weight, swelling of the face and neck, and developmental delays);
- allergies to certain types of foods, pollen, animal hair;
- increased intracranial pressure. In infants, a sign of this condition is a bulging fontanel. An example of a disease associated with increased intracranial pressure is hydrocephalus (fluid accumulation in the skull).
If the eyes suddenly swell, watery eyes appear, and a runny nose begins, this may be a manifestation of “Quincke’s edema,” an extremely dangerous condition that requires immediate medical attention. Parents usually know the cause of pathological edema in children, since there are pronounced symptoms of such diseases.
Diagnosis and treatment
If the bags do not disappear on their own, it is advisable to visit a doctor, since their appearance may be an early sign of serious diseases that occur secretly.
Diagnosis of diseases
Diagnosis uses methods such as general and biochemical blood and urine tests, X-rays, ultrasound, CT and MRI of various organs. To study the state of the cardiovascular system, an electrocardiogram is taken.
Based on the results of the examination, therapy is carried out to eliminate the cause of edema. If the defect remains even after eliminating the disease, you can try using folk remedies or consult a cosmetologist. It is recommended to adhere to a diet (reduce the content of foods that increase thirst in the diet), as well as stop smoking, limit the consumption of coffee and alcohol.
Cosmetological treatment
This treatment is not a way to eliminate the causes of swelling and hernias on the face. However, it helps prevent further development of the defect and improve a person’s mental state (women often seek such help). Cosmetologists have developed various techniques to help correct facial defects and make them attractive.
Electrical stimulation – increasing skin elasticity, improving blood circulation (and therefore nutrition) by exposing it to low frequency current.
Lymphatic drainage. This is the name of massage, which helps to enhance the outflow of lymph. It is carried out either manually or using a special apparatus.
IR irradiation area of the face around the eyes. It is carried out to eliminate skin inflammation.
Creams and masks based on hyaluronic acid with the addition of plant extracts of parsley and sage (Evelyn, Laura), as well as vitamin masks with mineral salts help improve the outflow of fluid from the skin to the eyelid area. In addition, patches containing extracts of aloe, ginseng, and red algae are used.
Mesotherapy is a procedure in which a subcutaneous injection of hyaluronic acid is given. Mesotherapy is carried out to moisturize the skin and improve the processes of collagen and elastin production in it. Not only bags under the eyes are eliminated, but also age-related wrinkles.
Skin peeling in this area, treatment with paraffin or special substances allows you to cleanse the sebaceous and sweat glands.
Blepharoplasty – a surgical method for removing fat bags under the eyes. This treatment is performed by trimming the skin in the area of its natural folds. After removing the bags, cosmetic seams are practically invisible. The operation is performed under local anesthesia and lasts about half an hour.
Traditional methods for eliminating bags under the eyes
There are many folk recipes for preparing face masks that help effectively fight swelling.
It is recommended, for example, to use infusions of string, chamomile, and mint as lotions for the skin around the eyes. They have an anti-inflammatory effect and contain vitamins. Bags under the eyes disappear faster if you use masks made from ingredients such as boiled potatoes or grated cucumber with milk. You can prepare a mask from finely chopped parsley and sour cream.
Video: Eliminating edema at home