How to Reduce Eye Swelling Using These 5 Powerful Remedies

Knowing how to reduce eye swelling is a crucial skill you need to have. Waking up to puffy eyes can feel like a rough start, leaving you tired and inactive for your day-to-day activities.

Irrespective of the cause, including lack of sleep, allergies, infection, or injury, eye swelling can be frustrating. 

Swollen eye is not a condition but a symptom presented to signify there is a problem in the eye, it is commonly caused by allergies, infection, inflammation, or injury to the eye.

If you experience a swollen eye, you may have symptoms like pain, redness, itchiness, sensitivity to light, eye discharge, soreness, obstruction of vision, and so on.

Symptoms can be mild discomfort or severe, depending on the severity.

There are ways to reduce eye swelling, which depends on the cause.

This article will explore 5 powerful remedies for how to reduce eye swelling, which will help you maintain optimal eye health. 

Causes of Swollen Eye You Should Know Before Considering How to Reduce Eye Swelling

To understand how to reduce eye swelling, it is important to know the cause and manage it properly.

The causes of Swollen eyes include:

• Allergies
• Chalazion (blockage of a gland in the eyelid)
• Pink eye (conjunctivitis)
• Stye (hordeolum), is a painful, red lump that forms on the eyelid.
• Eyelid infection around the skin of your eyelids or the eyes 
• Inflamed eyelids (blepharitis)

Sometimes, the swelling might affect one eye or both eyes depending on the cause. Most of these conditions aren’t serious, but you should make sure to clean and care for your eyes if your eyelid is swollen.

 Tips on How to Reduce Eye Swelling

Reducing a swollen eye depends on the cause. If you have an eye infection, you may need to use antibiotic eye drops, ointment, or other topical medication.

This means a medication applied to the body to fight against the infection and relieve you from the symptoms. 

You may also be given oral antibiotics or steroids by your doctor, in case the topical treatment doesn’t work.

Here are remedies and tips on how to reduce eye swelling.

Apply a heat compress

Put a clean cloth under warm water, squeeze excess fluid out, and hold it gently on your eyes.

This should be done twice a day for 15 minutes at a time to help loosen crusty discharge and get rid of any oil that might be plugging your glands.

The heat helps relieve swelling. 

Apply a cold compress 

Put a clean cloth into cold water and hold it gently on your eyes, You can also make use of ice packs. A cold compress helps to reduce inflammation and swelling in your eyes.

Gently wash the area

After applying a compress, whether hot or cold, use a cotton swab or washcloth to gently clean your eyelids with diluted baby shampoo.

You may also consider rinsing the area of your eye very well afterward. 

If you have any discharge around your eye or eyelashes, you can use a saline solution to rinse which can make your eye swelling go down.

Let your eyes rest

If you have eye swelling, do not stress the eye by wearing makeup or contact lenses.

Doing that will only worsen the condition.

Get enough sleep, and do not allow your eye to come in contact with direct sunlight.

Try not to touch your eyelids unless you’re treating them. This can make your eye swelling go down.

Use eye drops 

You can consider using over-the-counter (OTC) artificial tears to keep your eyes moist and comfortable. You can also try antihistamine drops if your eyelid is swollen due to allergens. This will reduce the itching.

When to See a Doctor for Swollen Eye Treatment

As much as understanding how to reduce eye swelling is crucial, it is also important to know when to call your doctor.

Eye swelling is very common and it usually goes away on its own within a day or so.

• If there is no improvement in the eye after 24 to 48 hours,.
• If you are having a sudden loss of vision or double vision.
• If your eyes are swollen and completely shut.
• If there is a presence of fever with the swollen eye.
• If the eye is very painful and tender to touch.
• If you rub your eyes more than usual, it is important to see your doctor. Children find it difficult not to rub the eye when it itches, especially as a result of irritants in the eye.

Conclusion on How to Reduce Eye Swelling

Understanding how to reduce eye swelling is very crucial, it can be straightforward and effective with the right approach. 

Having knowledge about the underlying causes and implementing simple remedies such as cold and warm compresses, and gentle cleansing.

also, ensure adequate rest, you can significantly reduce puffiness and discomfort.

 It is also important to stay hydrated and use over-the-counter eye drops when necessary, this can also provide relief, particularly in cases of allergies.

 As much as it’s good to know how to reduce eye swelling at home, it is important to monitor your symptoms and see your doctor if the swelling worsens, leading to a total shutdown of your eye.

 With these strategies, you can maintain optimal eye health and feel confident in your appearance, ready to face each day with refreshed and vibrant eyes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for swollen eyes before it goes away?

Bear in mind that eye swelling usually goes away on its own within a day or so.

However,  If there is no improvement in 24 to 48 hours, see your eye doctor.

Are there foods that reduce eye swelling?

Yes, some foods may help reduce eye swelling, you can include oats and fibrous vegetables in your diet, and take as much as you want. You may also want to consider herbal tea, they help control puffiness around the eye.