Causes of bags under the eyes
Content:
- The main causes of bags under the eyes
- Bags under the eyes of an infant
- Treatment of bags under the eyes
The main causes of bags under the eyes
Among the causes of bags under the eyes, two main groups can be distinguished: physiological and pathological.
Physiological causes
Bags under the eyes are caused by swelling of the skin and subcutaneous tissues, or as a result of aging.
In healthy people, they appear in the following cases:
- Chronic lack of sleep and fatigue. Bags usually pass quickly after a good rest;
- Eating salty foods at night: Salt makes you thirsty and retains water in the body. The kidneys do not have time to remove the fluid that has entered the body, which leads to the formation of edema on the face;
- Alcohol abuse: alcohol also retains water in the body;
- Long-lasting and intense tanning: in this case, a protective reaction from ultraviolet radiation is formed, which is expressed in the accumulation of fluid by the skin;
- Intense visual work for a long time (reading, computer);
- Increased estrogen levels in women before menstruation;
- Age-related changes in the skin, which are expressed in a significant decrease in its elasticity and firmness; as a result, the skin under the eyes sags;
- Genetic predisposition.
In the above situations, the appearance of bags under the eyes is not accompanied by any other symptoms, they go away on their own by the middle of the day or after the causes that caused them are eliminated. Age bags under the eyes are constantly present and do not undergo changes during the day. In some cases, this pathology is a hernia of the eyelids (swelling of the subcutaneous fat under the eyes). This problem is solved by surgery.
Pathological causes
Often, bags under the eyes are perceived exclusively as a cosmetic defect, especially by women. However, they can also be a sign of serious illness. If, in addition to the appearance of bags under the eyes, there are still any symptoms, poor health, the reason for their appearance may lie in the following pathologies:
- Kidney disease. With an attack of pyelonephritis or glomerulonephritis, bags under the eyes form over one night or several hours. Concomitant symptoms: general malaise, lower back pain, fever, pallor of the skin, urinary disorders, changes in the color and composition of urine. With glomerulonephritis, an increase in blood pressure, headaches, and blood in the urine are also observed.
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Inflammatory response in acute respiratory viral infections. Respiratory diseases of an inflammatory nature lead to the formation of red bags under the eyes for several days:
- Adenovirus infection: accompanied by fever, nasal congestion and discharge from it, sore throat, cough, eye irritation;
- Sinusitis (inflammation of the paranasal sinuses): sinusitis, frontal sinusitis, ethmoiditis. With sinusitis, a bag usually forms under one eye, because it is more often one-sided. With ethmoiditis, pain is noted when pressing on the bridge of the nose. Swelling under the eyes is accompanied by a runny nose, fever, headache;
- Conjunctivitis (inflammation of the conjunctiva of the eyes): the formation of bags under the eyes is combined with redness of the eyes, burning and pain in the eyes, lacrimation, sticking of eyelashes and eyelids after sleep.
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Allergy. Allergic reactions are often accompanied by tissue edema. If swelling occurs on the face, it usually manifests itself in the form of bags under the eyes. An allergic reaction can be caused by pollen from plants, animal hair, insect bites, dust, and eating foods that are strong allergens (citrus fruits, chocolate, etc.). With allergies, bags under the eyes can form within hours or even minutes. Depending on its cause, symptoms such as itching, sneezing, nasal discharge, redness of the eyes, and watery eyes are noted.
- Thyroid pathology. Bags under the eyes are often associated with thyroid disorders. In severe hypothyroidism, mexedema may develop - a mucoid subcutaneous edema of an elastic, dense consistency that does not leave pits when pressed. Thyroid enlargement, adenoma or carcinoma of the thyroid gland can compress the veins of the neck, in which case bags under the eyes appear due to a violation of the outflow of blood from the face. Symptoms of hypothyroidism: weight gain, decreased vitality, depression, weakness, drowsiness, impairment of memory and attention, gastrointestinal disturbances (constipation), hair loss, splitting of nails, menstrual disorder in women.
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Cardiovascular diseases. Bags under the eyes that are dark, bluish in color may indicate chronic heart failure. They form gradually, over weeks or even months, become larger in the evening and decrease or disappear completely in the morning. In parallel, severe swelling in the legs is observed. Concomitant symptoms are: recurrent pain in the region of the heart, tachycardia, increased fatigue, shortness of breath, decreased performance.
- Syndrome of compression of the superior vena cava. If the appearance of bags under the eyes is combined with severe swelling of the face, frequent bleeding from the nose, headaches, cough, hoarseness of the voice, then they may be the result of a violation of the outflow of venous blood through the superior vena cava (from the head to the heart). Cancers of the lungs or mammary glands are possible causes of this pathology. Compression of the vena cava indicates the presence of metastases.
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Injuries. Swelling under the eyes is a common consequence of bruising the soft tissues of the face. In this case, the eyes become swollen, the movements of the eyes and eyelids cause pain. Bags under the eyes are also found in more serious injuries: fractures of the nose or upper jaw. If bags under the eyes are combined with severe bruising, especially those located around the eyes in the form of glasses and manifested some time after the injury, it is necessary to urgently contact a medical facility - this may be a sign of a fracture of the base of the skull.
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Bags under the eyes during pregnancy
Separately, you should consider the appearance of bags under the eyes during pregnancy. Small bags under the eyes in pregnant women are in most cases a natural phenomenon. The body of a pregnant woman is prone to salt retention and fluid accumulation in adipose tissue and subcutaneous tissue, which leads to an increase in body weight, increased skin moisture, etc.
Pronounced bags under the eyes should be alerted if they appeared suddenly, within a short time, and this was not preceded by the use of salty food or a large volume of water.
The formation of bags under the eyes in later stages, in the third trimester of pregnancy, is considered more natural. If their appearance is noticed in the first trimester, then it is more likely that this is pathological edema caused by kidney problems or gestosis (complication of pregnancy).
Bags under the eyes of an infant
A slight swelling of the face and bags under the eyes in a newborn baby is a natural phenomenon, since during childbirth the baby's head is squeezed, which leads to a slight disturbance of blood circulation.
The pathological reasons for the appearance of bags under the eyes in an infant include the following:
- Increased hydrolability (instability of water exchange): this is not quite a pathology, since it is typical for almost all children under the age of 3 months;
- Hemolytic disease of the newborn: is a consequence of an immune conflict between the Rh factors of the blood of the mother and the child;
- Congenital hypothyroidism (deficiency of thyroid hormones): manifests itself in the first months of life with symptoms such as increased body weight, swelling of the face, delayed general development;
- Increased intracranial pressure: usually a clinical manifestation of hydrocephalus (dropsy of the brain);
- Congenital heart defects;
- Congenital liver pathologies: manifested by edema and jaundice;
- Diseases of the kidneys and genitourinary system: inflammatory processes (pyelonephritis, glomerulonephritis), urolithiasis; anomalies in the development of the urinary tract (pathology of the valves of the urethra, vesicoureteral reflux, ureteral stenosis);
- Allergic reactions: Food allergies are most common among infants. An allergic reaction usually manifests itself in the form of rashes, itching, conjunctivitis, Quincke's edema;
- Viral infections;
The formation of bags under the eyes in a child may not be associated with diseases, it may also have purely physiological reasons:
- Prolonged crying or screaming;
- Excessive drinking or salty food;
- Finding the baby's head in a position below the torso during sleep.
In older children, the appearance of bags under the eyes is due to the same reasons as in adults. It is necessary to urgently contact a medical facility if the bags appear suddenly, last all day, do not pass for a long time and increase over time, and symptoms such as anxiety of the child, fever, headache, lacrimation, and urination disorder are noted.
Treatment of bags under the eyes
The choice of treatment method depends on the reasons for their occurrence. If the formation of sacs is due to physiological reasons, it is recommended:
- Limit the use of salty and spicy foods;
- Drink at least 2 liters of fluid per day, but limit its intake in the afternoon, especially at night;
- Give up alcoholic beverages and smoking;
- Sleep at least eight hours a day;
- In the morning, instead of washing your face, wipe your face and eyelids with ice cubes.
In order to find out if an internal disease is the cause of the bags, the following main diagnostic methods are used:
- General analysis of blood and urine;
- Ultrasound examination of the heart, kidneys, thyroid gland;
- Chest X-ray.
If the appearance of bags has pathological causes, it is necessary to treat the underlying disease.
Removing bags under the eyes
Today, beauty salons offer the following list of services as an alternative to surgery:
- Electrostimulation: consists in the effect of a low-frequency electric current on the skin, which improves skin tone, stimulates blood circulation and metabolic processes;
- Mesotherapy: special substances are injected under the skin that increase elasticity and accelerate skin regeneration;
- Lymphatic drainage: manual or hardware massage that stimulates the outflow of excess lymphatic fluid from the problem area, which eliminates edema;
- Infrared irradiation of the area around the eyes, which has an anti-inflammatory effect;
- Peeling of the area around the eyes.
Cosmetics:
- Creams, ointments and gels against bags contain hyaluronic acid, elastin and collagen, extracts of parsley and sage, gels additionally have a lifting effect;
- The patches for bags under the eyes contain plant adaptogens (ginseng root, extracts of ginkgo, aloe, red algae), moisturize the skin and help remove bags due to the greenhouse effect. They can be used no more than 2 times a week to avoid excessive stretching of the skin;
- Eye puffiness masks contain various vitamins and minerals.
Hyaluronic acid injections
Substances such as elastin, collagen, hyaluronic acid are produced in the human body, but with age, their synthesis begins to decrease. As the elasticity of the skin decreases, the subcutaneous fat under the eyes swells. Additionally, a hernia of the eyelids may increase due to the ability of fiber to accumulate fluid.
Hyaluronic acid injections moisturize the skin and stimulate metabolic processes in it. Most often they are used to correct age-related changes around the eyes. But it should be borne in mind that primarily they are used to eliminate expression and age wrinkles. In terms of removing bags under the eyes, hyaluronic acid injections are less effective.
Such a procedure can only be carried out by a clinic that has an appropriate certificate. The composition of the injection (acid concentration) and the depth of injection of the drug are selected in each case individually after consultation.
Hyaluronic acid injections are performed on an outpatient basis. Usually several sessions are required. The procedure is repeated once every 2-3 weeks. After it, there may be swelling around the eyes for several days. Injection marks disappear after 3-4 days. Hyaluronic acid can be safely used during the cold season.
The effect of hyaluronic acid is not very long lasting and lasts 9-12 months. After it dissolves under the skin, wrinkles and skin laxity return. Another negative point is the addiction to hyaluronic acid. With its repeated use, the body begins to produce acid itself even worse.
Contraindications for this procedure are an allergy to hyaluronic acid, pregnancy and lactation, heart disease, an increased tendency to tissue edema.
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Blepharoplasty
Blepharoplasty, or eyelid plastic surgery, is a plastic surgery method. The purpose of such an operation is to remove excess fatty tissue (hernia of the eyelids) under the eyes, formed due to hereditary or age-related reasons.
With age, stretching of the skin and weakening of the muscle ligaments lead to sagging of the soft tissues in the lower eyelid region. Internal adipose tissue is no longer retained by the circular muscle of the eye inside the orbit. This is how bags under the eyes appear.
During the operation, incisions are made in such a way that future scars correspond to the natural folds of the skin and are invisible. The main functions of the eyelids are not disturbed.
The operation is performed on an outpatient basis under anesthesia and lasts from 20 to 90 minutes, depending on the level of complexity. Bleeding and pain are practically absent.
There are three main ways to perform blepharoplasty:
- Classic technique: incisions are made approximately 1 mm below the ciliary edge of the eyelids. This method is used if, in addition to the protrusion of the subcutaneous fat, there is also excess skin under the eyes, which must be removed. The stitches are removed 5-7 days after the operation, the edema persists for 7-10 days; The final result can be assessed after 2-3 weeks;
- Transconjunctival blepharoplasty: in this case, an incision or puncture is made on the inside of the lower eyelid, on the mucous membrane, and excess adipose tissue is removed through it. This method is more often used in young patients when there is no need to remove excess skin, since this is not possible with this technique. After such an operation, there are no visible scars on the skin, the shape and shape of the eyes does not change. The stitches dissolve on their own, the rehabilitation period lasts no more than 4 days. However, at this time it is recommended to exclude reading, working at the computer, watching TV, and for another two weeks to avoid intense physical exertion;
- Endoscopic blepharoplasty: In this method, the site of surgery is penetrated through the mouth. As a result, there are no visible traces of surgical intervention. Excess fatty tissue can either be removed or evenly distributed over the lower edge of the orbit.
Sometimes a laser is used for classical and transconjunctival blepharoplasty. This helps to reduce the risk of bruising and extensive edema after surgery, however, the use of the laser technique has its advantages only when manipulating the circular muscle of the face, in other cases it is not particularly advisable.
Operation:
- Before the operation, you need to undergo a consultation, which determines the presence of hereditary diseases, allergies, whether the patient is taking any medications (it is prohibited to take medications containing aspirin 10 days before the operation). Anesthesiologist and cardiologist are consulted, and a cardiogram is done.
- On the eve of the operation, you should not eat, drink or smoke after 12 o'clock at night On the day of the operation, you must not wear jewelry or paint your nails. Anesthesia can be local or general, this is decided on an individual basis.
- There is no severe pain after the operation, but there is some discomfort due to slight eye irritation and a feeling of heaviness in the eyelids. Ice should be applied to the eyelids. The rehabilitation period is 10-12 days, the duration of edema and bruising depends on the individual characteristics of the organism. Hypersensitivity to light and lacrimation may occur. It is not recommended to wear contact lenses, smoke, drink alcohol, use decorative cosmetics for two weeks. Stitches and swelling completely disappear after 2-3 months.
- The results of blepharoplasty last the longest compared to the results of other areas of plastic surgery. The need for subsequent surgery usually appears no earlier than 10-12 years later.
Possible complications of blepharoplasty:
- Bleeding;
- Itching, seam dehiscence;
- Small hematomas and cysts of the epidermis, easily eliminated;
- Infection (conjunctivitis) is rare;
- Lagophthalmos - the inability to completely close the eye or a slight lag in the outer corner of the eye, observed only during the rehabilitation period;
- Disorders of lacrimal fluid secretion (dry eye syndrome);
- Glaucoma, diplopia (very rare).
Currently, blepharoplasty is one of the most common plastic surgeries. However, it does not eliminate darkening of the skin under the eyes and expression lines.
Contraindications for this operation are:
- Endocrine pathologies;
- Oncological diseases;
- Infectious processes in the body;
- Blood clotting disorders;
- Increased intraocular pressure.
Author of the article: Alekseeva Maria Yurievna | Therapist
Education: From 2010 to 2016 Practitioner of the therapeutic hospital of the central medical-sanitary unit No. 21, city of elektrostal. Since 2016 she has been working in the diagnostic center No. 3.
