8 Reasons for Those Puffy Eyes

Nobody likes the appearance of puffy eyes. They are a giveaway that you have had little sleep, are stressed or have another underlying health problem. Puffy eyes can occur for many reasons and usually appear more prominent in those with fair skin and Asian or Celtic origin. They can also be a side effect of medication or an indicator of an underlying health issue. Here we look at the reasons why you might have puffy eyes and what you can do about it…

1.Changes in fluid levels

The main reason why you might have puffy eyes is because your fluid levels are out of balance. When your body goes through a normal daily cycle, your fluid levels will change. When you have fluid retention, your body struggles to get rid of the excess fluid and therefore puffy eyes are a common side effect.

2.Lack of sleep

Another popular reason for having puffy eyes is a lack of sleep. When you don’t get enough sleep, your body becomes dehydrated as you are not drinking enough water. Your body also becomes more sensitive to stress and this can cause the muscle around your eye area to contract more often than normal. This results in your eye bags becoming more pronounced. You should aim for 7-9 hours of sleep each night. If you find it hard to get this much sleep, you should speak to your doctor and discuss potential solutions.

3.Stress

Stress is a common cause of puffy eyes and is very easy to identify. If you are regularly experiencing stress, you will have puffy eyes. You can try meditation, yoga, regular breaks or talking to a friend or family member to help. One reason why stress causes puffy eyes is because it triggers the release of a hormone called cortisol. When cortisol is released, it causes fluid retention, which in turn makes the eye bags more prominent. It can also cause your skin, hair and nails to break down and become thin, brittle and dull.

4.Dehydration

If you regularly experience puffy eyes, you could be dehydrated. When your body is dehydrated, it struggles to flush away the excess fluid and this can cause puffy eyes. It is important to drink plenty of fluids every day, especially when you are experiencing puffy eyes or dry skin. You can add lemon to it to help with hydration and flavonoids found in lemons have been shown to reduce the appearance of dark circles under the eyes.

5.Genetics

If you have fair skin and are of Asian or Celtic descent, you are more likely to experience puffy eyes. This is due to the fact that your genes make your skin more fragile and therefore easier to break down. It’s recommended to take extra care to protect your skin from irritants. Remember to wear sunglasses and a hat to protect your skin from the sun and try to avoid smoky environments.

6.Medication side effects

Many medications can cause puffy eyes as a side effect. This is especially true if you have to take them for a long period of time. If you are taking medication and regularly experience puffy eyes, make sure to talk to your doctor about it. Some of the most common medications that cause puffy eyes include blood pressure medication, sleeping pills and antidepressants.

7.Allergic reactions

Allergies can cause puffy eyes on a regular basis or when you are exposed to something new or you have had a change in routine. The different allergens that can cause puffy eyes include pollen, dust, pet hair and various foods. Avoiding trigger foods such as peanuts, eggs, milk and wheat and wearing sunglasses when you go outside can also help.

8.Vitamin Deficiencies

Not only do you need to be careful about eating too much of some vitamins, you also need to make sure you get enough of them too. Some of the vitamins that commonly cause puffy eyes are B, C and E. If your diet does not contain enough of these vitamins, your body will struggle to produce enough on its own. This can result in puffy eyes. Try to eat a balanced diet to ensure you get enough nutrients.