How to Cure Puffy Eyelids

Puffy eyelids are very common, but that doesn’t make it any less uncomfortable! Luckily, there are tons of things you can do at home to reduce eyelid swelling. We’ll start by walking you through some simple home remedies to help soothe and reduce swelling on your eyelids. Finally, we’ll cover a few remedies to help prevent puffy eyelids.

Table of Contents

Apply cold compresses to reduce swelling

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Close your eyes and apply cold compresses to your eyelids for a few minutes. Ice can help soothe inflammation and swelling – it also gives you relief from swollen eyes! If you don’t have an ice pack, you can use a bag of frozen vegetables, chilled cucumber slices, or a towel dipped in cold water. Always wrap frozen items in a clean towel so that the ice does not come into direct contact with the skin. Remove the pack after 5-10 minutes. ^{[1] X Trusted Source Johns Hopkins Medicine Go to Source}

Never use frozen meat bags for eyes! Doing so puts you at risk of getting bacteria into your eyes. ^{[2] X Trusted Source American Academy of Opthampogists Go to Source}
You can also put the spoon in the freezer for 10-15 minutes, then wrap the spoon in a tissue and press it against your eyelids for a few minutes.
Ice will help reduce swelling, regardless of the cause of the swelling.

Apply warm compresses to relieve discomfort

Use eye drops if your eyes are swollen due to allergies

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Over-the-counter allergy eye drops can help reduce swelling. Swollen eyelids are also common due to seasonal allergies, and eye drops can help! Always follow the directions on the package for dosage and frequency of instillation. ^{[5] X Cleveland Clinic Trusted Source Go to Source}

You can buy eye drops without a prescription at any pharmacy.
Oral over-the-counter antihistamines also work if you have seasonal allergies! ^{[6] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}
If your eyes are dry and swollen, try over-the-counter lubricating eye drops.

Apply hemorrhoid cream to get rid of puffiness

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Do not apply this product on the upper eyelid or inside the eye! The anti-inflammatory effects of an over-the-counter hemorrhoid cream can temporarily reduce puffiness under the eyes, but you must be careful if you want to use this cream. The cream can irritate the super sensitive skin around the eyes, and if it gets in the eyes it will definitely cause redness and irritation. ^{[7] X Trusted Source Johns Hopkins Medicine Go to Source}

Ingredients such as phenylephrine work to constrict blood vessels and reduce swelling.
If you accidentally get the cream in your eyes, wash your eyes with plenty of cool water for a few minutes. If your vision changes, you need to call your doctor right away.

Try caffeine eye cream for puffiness

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Caffeine helps reduce swelling because it constricts blood vessels. If you don’t want to buy a new skin care product that’s understandable, as eye creams can be quite expensive! However, steeped and chilled black tea bags can provide the same results – you just need to put them on your eyes for 5-10 minutes. ^{[8] X Trusted Source Johns Hopkins Medicine Go to Source}

Use cosmetics and gentle skin care products

Avoid putting your hands on your eyes

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If you touch your eyes or rub them, you will only irritate them more. This also spreads bacteria and can lead to an infection. Wash your hands often and try not to touch the sensitive skin around your eyes. If you have tears in your eyes, you should use a clean towel to gently wipe them. ^{[10] X Cleveland Clinic Trusted Source Go to Source}

Remove contact lenses if present

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Contact lenses often increase eye irritation and swelling. Regardless of the cause of your swollen eyes, removing your contact lenses will help. Also, if you suspect swollen eyes from an infection, it’s important to avoid wearing contact lenses so bacteria doesn’t spread to the lenses. ^{[11] X Cleveland Clinic Trusted Source Go to Source}

It’s also a good idea to take off your contact lenses from time to time to give your eyes a break, whether or not your eyes are swollen.

Head pillow when sleeping

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This helps prevent fluid from pooling under the eyes. If you wake up in the morning with puffy eyelids and puffy eyes underneath, this can help! You just need to put an extra pillow to raise your head higher when sleeping. Try to lie on your back all night if possible. ^{[12] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

Sleep 7-9 hours per night

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Puffy eyelids are often caused by lack of sleep or poor sleep. Depending on the body’s response to lack of sleep, the upper eyelids may become puffy or dark circles may appear under the eyes, or a combination of both. Adults should try to get 7-9 hours of sleep each night so they can wake up refreshed each morning and prevent swelling around the eyes. ^{[13] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

Teens need a little more sleep than adults. Try to sleep 8-10 hours a night if you are in this age group.

Reduce salt in your diet

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Diets high in sodium can cause eyelid swelling. Salt causes water retention in the body, and excess fluid builds up causing the puffy eyes you see on your eyelids. You should read the nutrition facts on food packaging to keep track of your daily sodium intake.

The American Heart Association recommends no more than 1,500mg of sodium per day. ^{[14] X Trusted Source American Heart Association Go to Source}

See a doctor if eye swelling persists

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An infection can cause red and swollen eyes to persist. Eye diseases such as pink eye are very common, especially among school-age children and during flu season. If you have a red, painful mass on the edge of your eyelid, you most likely have a stye, an infection of the eyelash follicle. It’s best to see a doctor if you have an eye problem that doesn’t go away on its own after a week. ^{[15] X Research Source}

Once the cause is determined, your doctor may prescribe topical antibiotic ointments, topical corticosteroid creams, oral antibiotics, steroid eye drops, or antibiotic eye drops to treat the condition.
If your swollen eyes are caused by age or genetics, you can ask your doctor about cosmetic procedures like filler injections, laser skin resurfacing, and chemical peels. These tips can reduce discomfort and give you more confidence! ^{[16] X Trusted Source Johns Hopkins Medicine Go to Source}

Steps