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There are many among us who cannot wake up without that sinking feeling--on seeing our eyes puffy or a sack hanging below the eyes. Puffy eyes or baggy eyes is a condition in which the skin beneath the eyes becomes puffed up, making it difficult to blink. It can result in an itching sensation followed by inflammation in the eyes. The puffed up area slowly becomes darker.

Symptoms

Swollen eyelids, itching in the eyes, puffing of the eyelids, redness of the eye region and difficulty in opening or closing the eyes are the common symptoms of puffy eyes.

Causes

Since the skin around the eyes is very delicate, compared to skin in other parts of the body, it is a highly sensitive area. Swelling of the eyes occurs due to many factors such as trapping of fluid in eye  tissue,  accumulation of fat in the skin beneath the eyes, stress, hormonal changes, allergy (irritation from contact lenses), dermatitis or sinus, aging, high blood pressure , less consumption of water, long term use of antibiotics or intake of excess salt.

What can we do?

Chronic under-eye bags are difficult to remove. But puffiness can be cured by herbal home remedies.

Home remedies

Take cotton wool and make two thick square pads. Soak them in cucumber juice or rose water. Lie down and place the soaked pads over the eyes.  Keep them for 15 minutes.

Potatoes soothe and shrink puffy eyes. Place slices of raw potatoes over the eyes for 15 minutes, and wash off with cool water. Place two slices of cool cucumber over the eyes for 15 minutes. (High water content in cucumber helps reduce swelling.)

Press the region of the eyebrow and the eye socket with the middle finger. This method is effective in curing puffy eyes as it stimulates the lymphatic system and drains the excess fluid.

Ayurveda medication

• Apply Rasnadi choornam or Kachoradi choornam as lepa:  Mix 3-5 gm of Rasnadi choornam or Kachoradi choornam with butter-milk to make a paste and apply over puffy eyes. Wet the surface with the same paste when it gets dried. Wash with cold water after 30 mts.

• Use Karutha gulika: Karutha gulika has to be crushed and made into a paste by adding butter milk. Apply it over the eye bags and retain for 30 mins.

• Wash the eyes with Triphala decoction: Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Bibhitaki (Terminalia ble1ica) and  Harithaki (Terminalia  chebula)  are the three fruits contained in Triphala.

• Apply juice of Aloe vera or leaf of Moringa oleifera over the eye bags.

If the problem persists, consult a physician at the earliest.

Preventive Care:

• Sleep at least 7-8 hours a day.

• Drink 8-10 glasses of water. When a person is dehydrated the body starts storing water as a defence system. This will add to puffiness around the eyes.

• Increase the amount of fatty acids, especially from flaxseed oil and fish oils, in diet. Essential fatty acids help reduce inflammation through-out the body.

• Rinse face with chilled water a couple of times during the day.

•  Don’t drink a lot of fluids before going to sleep.

• Wear sunglasses.

• Reduce intake of sodium containing salt.

• Soak tea bags in cold water, and place them on the eyes for several minutes.

• Avoid applying wrinkle removal cream near the eyes. The cream may close the pores in the skin, leading to hydration in that area and results in puffiness of the eyes.

• Avoid anything that triggers an allergic reaction. For example, sleeping on a feather pillow can cause puffiness under the eyes.

• Avoid rubbing your eyes.

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