Puffy eyes, or eye puffiness is a condition where the skin around the eyes swell. This swelling can be caused due to various factors like hormonal changes, fluid retention, stress, lack of proper sleep, allergies, etc. In some cases puffy eyes can be hereditary. Age can also be a factor for noticing bags under the eyes.

As you grow older, the tissues around the eyes become weak, causing the fat that supports the eyes to shift the lower eyelids, resulting in eye puffiness. Eyes may also appear swollen when fluid starts accumulating in the space beneath the eyes.

A swelling (painless) around the eyes can be caused due to several reasons. The main reason of this is lack of proper rest. If the body gets insufficient sleep the eyes tend to look droopy causing them to swell. Hormonal fluctuations, before and during menstruation, and during menopause, are responsible for water retention below the eyes, causing puffiness.

Consuming alcoholic or caffeinated drinks before retiring to bed and too much salt intake can lead to puffy eyes. Allergies, triggered due to certain factors like dust, pollen, eye makeup, etc. usually accompanied by soreness and itching, can cause bags under eyes. These can be unsightly to look at, if you have to meet people or attend meetings or parties.

There are several methods which can be implemented to reduce eye bags and also keep a check on this condition. Follow these natural home remedies to get rid of puffiness under eyes

✦ Apply a few drops of vitamin E or castor oil around eyes before going to bed, to reduce puffiness.

✦ Squeeze juice out of a grated, medium-sized potato and add 10-15 drops of lime juice. Apply this around your eyes for five minutes

✦ Splashing cold water, especially around the eyes, at least thrice a day, will help constrict the blood vessels and reduce swelling.

You have a party to attend or you may have to go to office early, but have puffy eyes caused due to too many late nights. Sometimes, swelling under the eyes can be induced because of crying too much. Salt in the tears causes water retention in the tissues, resulting in periorbital puffiness.

✦ Applying eye cream that is kept in a refrigerator can be an effective way to get rid of puffy eyes.

✦ Flush your eyes with cold water. You can also apply cold compresses over your eyes to relieve the pain and tiredness.

As the popular saying goes, Prevention is better than cure, you should always exercise necessary precaution to avoid this cosmetic problem from occurring. Here are some preventive measures, following which you can avoid this eye condition.

✦ Another preventive measure for reducing puffy eyes, is to elevate your head slightly, by using an extra pillow, while sleeping.

✦ In some instances, this condition can aggravate, indicating the presence of some infection. Severe or persistent swelling is also a sign of some problem. Seek medical help to address the cause and alleviate puffiness.

If you want a permanent cure to get rid of puffy eyes, you can opt for cosmetic surgery. It is a simple procedure, where the fat deposits beneath the eyes are removed surgically through a small incision. But before undergoing such procedures, always consult an ophthalmologist. Follow these tips and you can happily bid goodbye to swollen eyes.