Causes of Eye Puffiness

Sometimes, the areas below the eye can puff up so much that it looks like you've been punched. But this condition is easy to alleviate. Learning the causes of eye puffiness can sometimes help you diagnose your problem and fix it.

Lack of Sleep

This is one of the most common causes of eye puffiness. According to the National Sleep Foundation, adults need 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night to let their bodies, including their eyes, relax. Lack of sleep can cause fluid retention, resulting in "bags" you see below the eyes.

Allergies

Puffy eyes can sometimes be the symptoms of allergies. These occur in the spring, when pollen and other allergens are at their worst. Treating your allergies with medication will usually rid you of the puffiness around the eyes. Allergic reactions to foods, detergents and soaps can also cause eye puffiness.

Bites and Stings

Some insect bites and stings cause the affected area to rise. This is true when they attack the area around your eyes. Swelling of this type should be treated with a cold compress, because it's not recommended to apply medications too close to the eyes.

Heredity

Some eye puffiness runs in the family. Check with older relatives to see if the condition has been experienced by others. If this is the case, there isn't a lot you can do except conceal the puffiness as best you can via makeup or, sometimes, sunglasses.

Menstruation

Puffy eyes can be the result of hormone changes during menstruation. Taking specific medicines such as Midol can help relieve the puffiness.