Under-eye puffiness, also known as periorbital edema and oedema, is a common condition that results in the swelling of tissue under the eyes. It can affect anyone, but it is especially common among women who are pregnant or taking birth control pills. Under-eye puffiness can be caused by allergies, aging, or genetics and treatment options include some natural remedies as well as non-surgical procedures such as injections or lasers.
Under-eye puffiness is a very general term used to describe any swelling under the eyes. Causes of under-eye puffiness can range from allergies to genetics, to inflammation caused by surgery and/or trauma.
It’s important to note that although these causes may seem very different on the surface, they all share one thing in common: at their core lies the body’s response to injury or irritation. In other words, your body reacts by creating fluid within tissues as a means of protecting itself from further harm or damage. This fluid buildup causes swelling in certain areas — including under your eyes — which leads to puffiness around this delicate region of skin.
Common Causes of Under-eye Puffiness
The most common causes of under-eye puffiness are allergies and genetics.
If you're experiencing puffy eyes, start by ensuring that you're getting enough sleep. If you work long hours at the office or if you have a newborn in the house, it's possible that your body is working overtime to repair itself from stressors such as lack of exercise and environmental factors like pollution or cigarette smoke.
Possible underlying conditions include:
- Allergies (to dust mites and pet dander)
- Genes (you may inherit this condition from your family)
- Sleep deprivation (often caused by stress or anxiety)
If none of these things apply to you and your symptoms persist, see a doctor right away because there could be something else going on.