Bags under the eyes are a cosmetic problem, the cause of which is often to be found in familial disposition. Depending on whether the symptoms are permanent or temporary, there are different treatment options to minimize bags under the eyes.
What are bags under the eyes?
Eye bags are a visible swelling or slackening of the lower eyelid area of both eyes. Bags under the eyes often extend to the base of the cheekbones and are also accompanied by a relaxation of the upper eyelid area.
In severe cases, a fold of skin develops at the bottom of the eye sac and the entire lower eyelid is pulled down. This makes the reddish inner lid margin visible. The actor Horst Tappert † (“Derrick”), who made them his trademark, is still considered a prime example of pronounced bags under the eyes.
The popular declaration that all unshot tears collect in the bags under the eyes is definitely wrong. Even if the protrusions give the face a sad expression: It is not only depressed people who develop bags under the eyes.
causes
Bags under the eyes are caused by several factors. The genetic predisposition, which is responsible for the quality of the connective tissue, has the greatest influence. In second place comes the age: with increasing years, almost everyone develops a tendency to bags under the eyes.
If the connective tissue is naturally stable, it remains at a slight expression, which is perceived as less disturbing. Lifestyle also has an influence: Anyone who often suffers from under-eye circles at a young age due to alcohol consumption or excessive smoking increases the likelihood that the connective tissue will no longer have to counter the accumulated toxins with increasing age:
The skin decays and the tear sac is there. Disturbances in the water balance (kidney or heart disease) are less common causes of bags under the eyes.
Diseases with this symptom
- Quincke's edema
- alcoholism
- Renal failure
Diagnosis & course
It is not difficult to diagnose bags under the eyes because they are clearly visible. However, it is more difficult to find out the individual cause. If bags under the eyes suddenly appear and feel like bulging pools of water, it is worth going to the doctor if there are no obvious causes (dry eyes, conjunctivitis, lack of sleep or excessive crying).
Particularly if the swelling does not resolve itself quickly or is accompanied by swelling in other parts of the body, the person concerned should pay attention: only a doctor can reliably determine a previously undiscovered heart or kidney weakness.
If the bags under the eyes have developed over a longer period of time and feel more slack than full, the doctor will diagnose a weak connective tissue and make the prognosis that the bags will no longer recede by themselves.
Complications
When lymph flow loses its normal rhythm, fluid builds up under the eyes. The swellings caused in this way usually subside within a few hours after getting up in the morning. No complications are to be expected in these cases.
If the bags are caused by an allergy, the swelling can affect the entire eye. In rare cases, the eyes can even swell completely. However, this complication can only be expected if the patient shows severe allergic reactions and the allergen cannot be found and avoided or the patient does not respond to the usual treatment methods.
If dry and sore eyes are the cause of the bags under the eyes, complications usually affect the eyeball. For example, dryness and inflammation that are not treated can damage the cornea.
However, swelling under the eyes can also be due to age or hereditary predisposition. In these cases, the connective tissue loses its firmness and the fatty tissue under the eyes sags. Under this premise, extremely pronounced bags under the eyes often develop, which no longer recede on their own.
The swellings themselves are harmless, but unfortunately those affected often suffer psychologically from the disfigurement associated with them. The hanging lower limbs must then be surgically removed.
When should you go to the doctor?
Bags under the eyes are not an independent clinical picture, but merely a symptom. Nevertheless, bags under the eyes can be caused for different reasons, so that a visit to the doctor is often inevitable. In most cases, bags under the eyes are caused by poor lifestyle habits. A medical or drug treatment is not necessary in such a case, because the bags under the eyes will disappear completely by themselves within several hours.
However, if the bags under the eyes persist for several days, then this appearance should definitely be examined by a doctor. A serious illness can be concealed behind it, which requires medical treatment. Conjunctivitis is not infrequently responsible for pronounced bags under the eyes. Conjunctivitis can be treated in advance by the person concerned.
Anti-inflammatory agents, such as chamomile, can effectively treat and contain the existing inflammation. If, however, there is no significant improvement after a few days, then a visit to the doctor should not be postponed. Otherwise, the existing inflammation can worsen considerably, so that pus fluid can even form. However, conjunctivitis can be treated effectively and within a short time through appropriate treatment with medication. A significant improvement should occur after just a few days.
Doctors & therapists in your area
Treatment & Therapy
How bags under the eyes are to be treated depends on their type and cause. If a serious underlying disease has been ruled out, the doctor will first ask about the lifestyle in the case of puffiness-related bags under the eyes, especially if the bags under the eyes are accompanied by dark circles.
Sufficient sleep, plenty of mineral water, a healthy diet with little salt and not drinking alcohol or nicotine are often enough to eliminate the problem. Placing cool packs on top is also helpful. An old home remedy is the application of hemorrhoid ointment, which contains decongestant substances. However, hemorrhoid ointments containing cortisone should be avoided as they weaken the skin and damage the connective tissue.
The use of water tablets should only be done on medical advice. If sagging skin is the cause of the bags under the eyes, a cosmetic treatment with firming agents can be considered in the initial stage. However, their effect is only temporary, so the applications must be repeated regularly to achieve a lasting effect. In severe cases, only surgical removal of the bags under the eyes as part of an eyelid lift will help.
Outlook & forecast
Bags under the eyes are caused by a wide variety of factors, so that a prognosis or prospect in this context is very difficult. Since bags under the eyes are swelling of the lower eyelids, quick cooling of the affected area can be an effective treatment option. In such a case, a clear improvement should already be seen after several hours.
But even without cooling the affected area, the bags under the eyes will disappear quickly. However, only if the bags under the eyes are not associated with any underlying disease. Bad lifestyle habits such as little sleep or excessive alcohol consumption can also cause bags under the eyes. In such a case, cooling the affected areas does not help.
Another cause could be inflammation in this area. A stye or conjunctivitis can also cause bags under the eyes. Without any medical treatment, such inflammation can worsen immensely, and it can even lead to the formation of pus. However, if you consult a doctor promptly in such a case, you will notice a significant improvement and relief of the respective inflammation within a few days.
prevention
Home remedies ↵ for bags under the eyes Those who want to prevent bags under the eyes should refrain from excessive consumption of alcohol and cigarettes. Hereditary factors cannot be influenced in this way, but the development of bags under the eyes can be delayed. If you have particularly fine skin in the eye area, regular application of skin care creams can ensure that the skin remains elastic for longer and bags under the eyes do not appear so quickly.
You can do that yourself
Bags under the eyes can be relieved reliably with simple home remedies and natural ingredients. Acute cooling applications such as a cold teaspoon under the eye or an ice pack after getting up can help. Chamomile cream and similar preparations provide the skin with important moisture and have a decongestant effect. Used tea bags or coffee pods that are cooled for a few minutes and then placed on the bags under the eyes also promise quick help. A quark mask stimulates the blood circulation in the sensitive skin under the eyes and allows swelling to subside.
Bags under the eyes can also be relieved by regular massages with sesame oil or a vitamin E ointment. Alternatively, lymphatic drainage in the evening or a detailed skin massage can help. In the long term, bags under the eyes can be eliminated through a healthy lifestyle. A restful night's sleep helps relax the entire region around the eyes and also reduces stress and anxiety, which can lead to the formation of bags under the eyes.
Sports like jumping rope or jogging reduce water retention in the tissue. On the other hand, pollutants such as alcohol and nicotine should be avoided. In particular, foods with a high salty or fatty content should be avoided due to their inflammation-promoting effects until the bags under the eyes have receded. If there is no improvement, a visit to the family doctor is recommended.
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