Swelling of the upper and lower eyelids
Content:
- What is eyelid edema?
- Eyelid edema symptoms
- Why do eyelids swell?
- Swelling of the eyelids in the morning
- What to do if your eyelids are swollen?
- Conclusion
Swelling of the upper and lower eyelids is a very common problem because the skin of these protective eye barriers is very thin and delicate. Often it is the eyelids that are the first to give an alarm when pathological abnormalities occur.
What is eyelid edema?
Eyelid edema is a localized, localized excess fluid accumulation in the eyelids. Only 1 eyelid can swell: lower or upper (in most cases). Sometimes it happens with one eye - unilateral edema. The attack can be single or recurrent. This deviation occurs in both the elderly and children, although it is predominantly adults over 30 years of age.
The eyelid is a skin fold behind which the eye "hides" in case of a potential danger: a bright flash, dust, the threat of traumatic injury, etc.
There are 2 layers of the eyelids:
- superficial or anterior - musculocutaneous. The orbital muscle consists of the orbital and palpebral parts. When it is reduced, blinking occurs;
- deep or posterior - conjunctival-cartilaginous. The cartilage of the eyelids is a very dense layer of connective tissue under the eye muscles. The eyelid conjunctiva is a transparent connective membrane that covers the back of the eyelids.
The human body is 70% liquid, most of which is in the cells, and the rest in the intercellular space. As soon as the water content between the cells exceeds the threshold value of 1/3 of the total volume, edema appears.
Types of edema, depending on the cause:
- hydrostatic;
- hypoproteinemic;
- membranogenic.
Eyelid edema is diagnosed visually. To identify their causes, blood tests may additionally be prescribed to determine the concentration of proteins in serum, especially albumin, urinalysis to exclude kidney disease. If this is not enough, you can use the results of ultrasound or computed tomography.
The swelling usually subsides over time, but in some cases it can progress. Most often this happens if there is any deviation. Not only the area around the eyes can swell, but also various parts of the body.
If untreated, complications may arise:
- edema of the eyeball (Vickers);
- increased intraocular pressure;
- fever;
- elephantiasis or elephantiasis - elephantiasis, elephantiasis;
- glaucoma, which causes visual field defects, decreased vision and optic nerve atrophy;
- blindness.
Preventive measures that prevent the appearance of edema include:
- timely treatment of inflammatory diseases;
- a healthy lifestyle with adherence to the correct diet and physical education, tempering, getting rid of bad habits;
- good rest;
- the use of table salt and liquid in volumes appropriate to the state of health;
- compliance with safety measures when working in hazardous industries, including wearing special eye protection;
- taking antihistamines for allergy sufferers during potentially dangerous periods;
-
avoidance of contact with infectious patients (especially eye diseases).
By stopping the inflammatory process, maintaining a normal metabolism, observing reasonable care, you can save yourself from many health problems. People who follow simple precautions, with attention to their well-being, never have to deal with swelling of any part of the face.
Eyelid edema symptoms
- redness - hyperemia, cyanosis or pallor of the skin;
- the skin is taut and tense;
- thinning of the skin with an increased gloss of its surface;
- twisted and dilated saphenous veins;
- small-dot rash - abnormal pathological elements on the skin;
- swelling, enlargement of the eyelids;
- narrowing or complete closure of the palpebral fissure;
- pain on palpation - "feeling";
- inflammation and soreness of the regional lymph nodes located in front of the auricle, under the parotid fascia, on the face;
- density of surrounding tissues;
- itching is an unpleasant sensation of irritation, burning, or tingling in the eyes.
Redness is caused by excess blood flow. This is due to dilated arteries or obstructed blood flow into veins. Venous congestion is accompanied by a significant increase in the release of the liquid part of the blood - plasma - into the tissue cracks - by transudation.
Transudate is an accumulating edematous fluid. Congestive or passive hyperemia causes pathological expansion of veins and capillaries, as well as a slowdown in blood flow. Swelling of the blood vessels leads to a local enlargement of the affected area of the body, which causes the skin to stretch.
The blood supply to the eyelids is carried out by the lateral branches of the lacrimal and medial branches of the anterior ethmoid arteries. Outflow occurs through the veins of the same name to the face and eye sockets. The lymphatic system of the eyelids is located on the sides of the cartilaginous plate. Lymphatic drainage occurs from the upper eyelid to the preauricular, and from the lower to the submandibular lymph node.
The peculiarity of the eyelid skin is good turgor or swelling. This is the pressure of the contents of the cells on their walls. That is why this area of the skin is so sensitive. Intracellular pressure is high and edema appears rather quickly.
The eye slit or fissure of the eyelids is an almond-shaped opening between the edges of the eyelids. There are many diseases that lead to its decrease, and, consequently, a deterioration in vision.
The skin also becomes bluish with venous congestion. Oxygen starvation begins in the tissues - hypoxia, the blood darkens, shines through the thin skin more strongly, hence the blue.
Pressure pain is a protective property of the body, indicating a deviation from the norm. It informs about the development of a pathological condition. The innervation of the eyelids is carried out by the first and second branches of the trigeminal nerve, facial and sympathetic nerves. Interestingly, pain and swelling in the eye area may indicate a cluster headache.
By its nature, edema of the eyelids is referred to as tissue type. It occurs in the subcutaneous tissue (a type of adipose tissue). Rapidly progressive swelling compresses the underlying areas of the body, which causes their dysfunction.
The symptoms of extravasation are quite wide, although most often the person does not experience any discomfort. If swelling is a sign of an illness, then they will be accompanied by other symptoms. In the case of frequent seizures for no apparent reason, specialist advice is required.
Why do eyelids swell?
The causes of eyelid edema can be divided into 3 groups:
- excess pressure in the thinnest blood vessel - a capillary;
- a decrease in the level of proteins (especially albumin) and colloid-osmotic (oncotic) pressure of blood plasma with the release of water from blood vessels into adjacent tissues;
- an increase in capillary permeability, which occurs after toxic damage, the onset of inflammation, and disruption of nervous regulation.
These phenomena can be triggered by factors such as:
- diseases: pseudomembranous, membranous or purulent conjunctivitis, endophthalmitis, erysipelas, iridocyclitis, ascites or abdominal dropsy - edema of the peritoneal cavity, pseudotumor, phlegmon, blepharitis, eyelid abscess, barley caused by the bacteria staphylococcus aureus, ARI, dermatitis, - angioedema Quincke, vegetative vascular dystonia, anemia, dacryocystitis, cancer, meibomitis, hernia of the eyelids, ophthalmic rosacea or rosacea, chalazion - tumor-like inflammation of the meibomian gland within the eyelid, sinusitis, demodicosis caused by ciliary mites, hypothyroidism, hypothyroidism emphysema, helminthic invasions, for example, trichinosis;
- an unhealthy lifestyle leading to protein deficiency, lack of sleep, stress, eye strain, including late meals, including excess salt, drinking too much fluids, smoking and alcohol abuse;
- Wrong position of the head during sleep (it is better to sleep on a flat and small pillow);
- Long-term ultraviolet radiation;
- Hormonal disruptions, for example, during the premenstrual period;
- Insect bites (usually in summer);
- Injuries with extensive subcutaneous hemorrhage - bruising;
- Microtrauma when wearing contact lenses.;
- Venous congestion, such as during sleep;
- Violation of lymphatic flow and water and electrolyte balance;
- Medication (taking salicylates, sulfonamides and antibiotics);
- Exposure to allergens: citrus fruits, seafood, strawberries, milk, chocolate, eggs, pollen, drugs, chemicals (paints, varnishes, household chemicals), wool or dust;
- Increased intracranial pressure;
- Congenital disorders of the structure of the eyelids;
- Tattooing.
First of all, puffiness is provoked by diseases that cause dysfunction of organs that respond to the "processing" of incoming fluid and its excretion. These are pathologies of the digestive, excretory, circulatory systems.
Any eye diseases are very dangerous. Among them are blepharitis. In addition to swelling, its symptoms are sores, eyelash loss and even eversion of the eyelids. The importance of the eyes can hardly be overestimated. Blindness is a diagnosis that makes you disabled.
Allergies can be of 2 types: acquired anaphylaxis or congenital atopy. Quincke's edema affects the gastrointestinal tract and skin. It occurs more often in children. It is dangerous in that it instantly spreads to the corner of the mouth, cheek, temple and neck, covering half of the face. Allergic dermatitis can occur due to prolonged use of eye ointments, drops, or cosmetics.
Salt retains water in the body. It happens as follows: sodium chloride, or rather, such a component of this chemical compound as sodium, promotes the swelling of tissue colloids due to the "absorption" of liquid.
There are many reasons why edema can begin. Their identification is the primary task of the doctor, because the only way to avoid complications is to eliminate etiological factors.
In the event of microtraumas of the ocular surface (trauma during eyelash extension, corneal trauma when putting on a contact lens, damaged lens, accumulation of protein deposits on the lens), which are accompanied only by the feeling that something has got into the eye, you should not neglect the treatment, since the lack of treatment microtrauma can lead to irritation and redness, which in turn can contribute to the development of complications (keratitis, keratoconjunctivitis, corneal ulcers), since damaged tissues are the gateway for infection.
For the restoration of eye tissues, drugs with dexpanthenol, a substance with a regenerating effect, have proven themselves well. In particular, the eye gel "Korneregel" has a healing effect due to the maximum concentration of dexpanthenol 5%, and the carbomer included in its composition, due to the viscous texture, prolongs the contact of dexpanthenol with the ocular surface.
Swelling after eyelid tattooing
Tattooing - tattooing, microinjections, in other words, injection with permanent staining. In this case, the skin is injured, because their integrity is violated. Natural or inorganic color pigments are introduced into the subcutaneous tissue.
Traditionally, cosmetics are applied to the surface of the skin, but then it is not possible to obtain such a lasting effect. Over time, the paints wear off, disappear. Permanent makeup is permanent. This does not mean that it does not need to be refreshed at all. Cells are continuously renewed, coloring substances are gradually removed from the body.
Crusts and swelling appear on the tattooed area of the skin. This is an open wound, traumatic edema of the eyelids. Until complete healing, wounded skin is defenseless against infection. It is necessary to treat the injured eyelids with special antibacterial and wound-healing agents.
For several days, these places cannot be wetted. Puffiness persists for a couple of days. It appears due to damage to blood vessels at the level of the superficial or deep vascular plexus.
The severity of eyelid edema depends on the following factors:
- individual tendency to swelling;
- depth and quality of pigment injection;
- skin type;
- method of anesthesia.
A tattoo or tattoo on the eyelids is applied with a special thinnest needle. There are contraindications, therefore, if the specialist did not inquire about the customer's health before starting staining, he does not have the required level of qualifications. The beauty salon must have an appropriate license for this procedure and hygiene certificates for the equipment used. Instruments must be sterile, materials safe for health.
Any tattoos are painful and require local anesthesia. Special drops are instilled into the eyes. In this case, unpleasant sensations may appear: the eye becomes as if glassy, frozen, the movement of the eyeballs is difficult. There were cases of corneal burns with low-quality drugs. Patients even had to urgently see a doctor.
Depending on the option chosen, the paint is applied pointwise between the eyelashes - between the eyelashes, strokes or lines over and under the eyelashes on each eyelid. The arrows in the corners visually change the shape and size of the palpebral fissure. If the client is not satisfied with the final result, she can insist on correcting or removing pigments in the skin.
The wrong form of the tattoo, too deep injection of the dye may become a mistake of the master. Laser technology allows for corrections. The laser removes pigment through the skin.
Women are seduced by the fact that the makeup will remain bright at any time of the day. Eyeliners and arrows are made on the eyes, or rather, on the upper and lower eyelids. This takes approximately 3 hours. Tissue healing can take several weeks. Whether it is worth subjecting the delicate skin of the eyelids to such a harsh cosmetic procedure, everyone decides for himself. The cosmetologist is obliged to warn clients about all possible consequences.
Swelling of the eyelids in the morning
The fluid slowly fills the intercellular space at night while a person sleeps or is forced to stay in a horizontal position for a long time. The blood flow rate decreases significantly during the resting period. During the day, such edema usually resolves itself.
Puffy eyes do not paint anyone. Most of all because of them women are complex. Swollen eyelids cannot be hidden with any makeup. Most often, morning edema is a symptom of a disease of the genitourinary system. Sometimes a person does not recognize himself in the mirror after waking up, if he ate salt at night, drank a lot of alcohol the night before, or decided to try a new cosmetic product in the evening.
Kidney disease prevents the urinary system from functioning properly. In a healthy state, the kidneys pass through themselves about 2000 liters of blood per day, thereby ensuring the body's water-salt balance. The excretory function is to remove excess fluid and more. When it is violated, excess water is released, “squeezed out” from tissue cells as a result of increased intracellular pressure. This is how the intercellular space overflows.
The edematous fluid is usually colorless, transparent, sometimes it can have a pale yellow tint. The solution becomes cloudy due to the admixture of lymphocytes, fat. Serum proteins - albumin and globulins - make up about 3% of the transudate. The fluid is easily infected.
Cardiovascular diseases also interfere with the outflow of blood from tissues. Puffy eyes can indicate an abnormal blood flow. Mucoid swelling may develop - mucoid edema. As a result of a malfunction in the cell walls, the concentration of hydrophilic, "water-loving" substances is exceeded, which attract fluid, provoking puffiness.
Frequently repeated attacks lead to dystrophy and atrophy of parenchymal cells, sclerosis. Violation of metabolism - metabolism - in the parenchyma is fraught with tissue damage, pathological decrease in the size of cells, their "drying out". Sclerosis leads to the replacement of parenchymal tissues with seals.
Catabolism occurs as follows: proteins, amino acids and fats are gradually broken down to water and carbon dioxide. In the process of such oxidation, the energy necessary for the body is released, as well as eicosanoids. Lipids are hydrophobic compounds, energy depots, they are "convenient" for the body to store water reserves. The fact is that the liquid consumed by a person is sometimes insufficient for the occurrence of specific chemical reactions necessary for the normal functioning of organs.
Eicosanoids are derivatives of fatty acids that regulate the excretion of water by the kidneys and more. They are highly active regulators of cellular functions. Largely due to their action, tissue swelling occurs. The slightest violation of metabolic processes leads to an imbalance of fluid in the body.
To look attractive from the very beginning of the day will help getting rid of kidney and heart diseases, reasonable care in food and use of cosmetics before bed. If the eyes are swollen every day, regardless of what was eaten, drunk or applied to the skin the night before, then the person suffers from some kind of ailment.
What to do if your eyelids are swollen?
The main thing is to establish the cause and then eliminate it. If it is an allergic reaction, the swelling will go away as soon as the effect of the allergen wears off. If this is a symptom of the disease - after recovery, the consequence of a bite or mechanical damage - after the wound has healed, the result of a physical defect in the eye area - after surgery. In any case, you can try to facilitate and speed up the process of resorption.
Ways to treat eye swelling:
- Medication with eye drops and ointments (Prednisolone, Dexamethasone, Hydrocortisone, Celestoderm), gels and drops (Vizin) with steroid substances and / or herbal extracts, antihistamines (Opatanol, Lecrolin, Cromohexal, Suprastin, Tavegil, Claritin) anti-allergy drugs orally and / or externally, 15-minute lotions with a 2% boric acid solution, taking diuretics to speed up the withdrawal of excess fluid. -> In case of an infectious infection, ophthalmologists recommend instilling a 30% sodium sulfacyl solution into the affected eye 5-6 times a day and injecting antibiotics intramuscularly.
- Physiotherapy. First of all, microcurrent therapy or microcurrents is electrical stimulation, in which the subcutaneous lymphatic pathways are stimulated with the help of thin electrodes with low-frequency electric current pulses. This is a massage at the cellular level.
- Mesotherapy - microinjections with specific active substances.
- Cosmetics: masks, sticks, creams, lotions, serums.
- Various types of massage: manual, hardware vacuum-roller - dermotonia. The purpose of the procedures is lymphatic drainage - to remove excess fluid to stabilize the lymphatic system.
- Folk remedies externally and internally. For example, a decoction of rose hips or cranberries as diuretics.
- An extreme measure is a plastic lift of the outer part of the upper eyelid in case of sagging - blepharoplasty.
The goal of the therapeutic course is to relieve inflammation, improve blood circulation and excretory processes, and stimulate metabolism. Some physiotherapy and cosmetic procedures have contraindications.
Folk remedies
Traditional medicine offers many recipes for getting rid of edema. Many of them use parsley: its herbs, roots and seeds. This herb has a wide range of health benefits. The edema subsides thanks to the anti-inflammatory and diuretic effects of the miracle plant.
Parsley decoction recipe: add greens and 4 chopped parsley roots to 1 liter of water, 2 tbsp. l. Sahara. Simmer over low heat for about half an hour. Take a warm broth three times a day, 100 ml.
Parsley drink recipe: 2 tbsp. l. grind the seeds into powder, pour 250 ml of boiling water and simmer over low heat for 15 minutes. Cool the drink, strain. Drink 1 tbsp. l. 4 times a day.
Flaxseed also has an antibacterial and diuretic effect on the body. Flax is a unique plant. Flaxseed oil, produced from seeds, eliminates worm infestations.
Flaxseed decoction recipe: 4 tsp. seeds, pour 1 liter of water (or 1 tbsp. l. per 250 ml) and boil for no more than a quarter of an hour. Strain (someone prefers to drink with grains) and take 1/2 cup warm three times a day. The course should last about 20 days. The drink has a specific taste and aroma, so it can be mixed with various juices. Many people achieve weight loss in this way.
Carrots have useful properties similar to parsley and flax. It is anti-inflammatory, diuretic, carminative and laxative.
Recipe for puree soup: in a deep frying pan, overcook 1 onion, 400 g of carrots and parsley root in butter, add 35 g of rice and 1 tbsp. l. tomato paste, add 1 liter of chicken broth, salt and pepper with white pepper, simmer for 30 minutes. Add half a teaspoon of ginger and half a glass of cream to the mass. Use a chopper to puree. Puffiness is also relieved by tea with mint, linden blossom.
Measures to get rid of edema should be chosen by a specialist. Self-medication can lead to unwanted complications. If the swelling of the eyelids is a symptom of the disease, then trying to remove the swelling can waste precious time and allow the underlying ailment to become chronic.
On the subject: The best products for edema
Eye mask for edema
You can make your own skin care products or use ready-made formulations by purchasing them in stores, pharmacies or specialized organizations. The procedure is carried out at home or in a beauty salon.
Before applying the homemade mask, it is advisable to carry out a simple anti-allergy test. A small amount is applied to the inner fold of the elbow. Wait half an hour. Check for redness in the treated area or for a rash.
Traditional eye medicine recipes:
- Grind parsley, mix with sour cream in a ratio of 1 to 2, make lotions for 7-10 minutes. Parsley improves blood microcirculation, while sour cream nourishes the skin.
- Grate carrots or parsley root, apply to eyes for 15 minutes.
- Make lotions from black / green tea or tea leaves, as well as from a strong decoction of chamomile flowers for 10-15 minutes.
- Apply compresses of chilled broths of sage, calendula, dill, thyme, Ivan tea (fireweed), mint, linden, fennel or cold milk for 10 minutes.
- Ten-minute mask of grated raw potatoes, apple or cucumber. You can also apply warm crushed boiled potatoes to your eyes. Very pleasant cream mask of pumpkin and cucumber pulp with honey.
In the salon, you can use the services of an experienced massage therapist, and only then enjoy the pleasant sensations of a cosmetic mask. Ready-made collagen compositions for the eyelids against edema and bruising are offered from such companies as Salon Cosmetics of the Moscow Institute of Beauty (Premium), Russian TM ChocoLatte (Pai Fresh), American Beauty Style Inc. with lifting gel (collagen set "Shine eyes"). Reusable anti-edema masks on a textile basis are also available.
The eyes must first be cleaned of cosmetics, then the mask must be slightly warmed up. Details are provided in the accompanying instructions. It is better to take a comfortable position, turn on calm melodic music, completely relax. This is the only way to achieve the most positive effect.
It is recommended to remove the remains of the medicinal composition. The procedure can be performed twice - three times a week. Most face masks also have anti-aging effects on the skin. Storage conditions: dark cool place. The shelf life does not exceed six months.
Cosmetic product "Pai Fresh" is a potato mass with the addition of extracts from arnica, parsley, aloe vera, oats and horsetail, evening primrose oils, wheat germ, cocoa, sesame, avocado and shea butter, white clay and rice flour, shungite water and concentrate colloidal silver.
In addition to masks from puffiness, the face can be saved by the French stick Christian Breton and the lifting serum "Liftoks", the Italian cream Inca Rose. When using them, individual intolerance is possible.
Conclusion
Some diseases, for example, furunculosis, barley, in the absence of therapeutic measures, provoke the development of other pathologies, accompanied by edema of varying severity. This indicates the need to seek medical help in a timely manner and not to start even "trifling" diseases.
Unexplained eyelid swelling is a serious reason for seeking an ophthalmologist. We must not forget that constantly repeated attacks can contribute to a hereditary predisposition to swelling in offspring.
Author of the article: Lebedev Andrey Sergeevich | Urologist
Education: Diploma in the specialty "Andrology" received after completing residency at the Department of Endoscopic Urology of the Russian Medical Academy of Postgraduate Education in the urological center of the Central Clinical Hospital No. 1 of JSC Russian Railways (2007). Postgraduate studies were completed here by 2010.
