Eyes are very sensitive and can easily swell up even with a small irritation like lack of sleep, physical stress, excessive crying, sinusitis, hormonal changes, nutritional deficiencies, hangovers or allergies.

Almost everyone has experienced swelling in the eyes or eyelids due to any of the above reasons. Eyelids contain many tiny blood vessels and when there is an inflammation or excess fluid in the connective tissues surrounding the eye then there will swelling in the eyelids.

Eyelid swelling can happen in either the lower or upper eyelid (or both in some cases) and becomes enlarged. In general, swollen eyes make one look tired and ill, so you have to clear them quickly to overcome this discomfort and irritation.

If you’re suffering from persistent eye swelling that caused due to any internal problem then make sure to consult your doctor immediately for proper diagnose and treatment.

Some causes include bacterial or viral infections, conjunctivitis, orbital cellulitis, blepharitis, styes, chalazion, eyelid dermatitis, blepharochalasis, shingles, eye allergies, contact lenses or cleaning solutions, gland blockage, too much sodium, alcohol intake, genetics, too much usage of artificial sweetener, dehydration, certain medications, high blood pressure, etc.

One can experience certain symptoms like redness, scale formation, itching, unable to open or close your eyes completely, difficulty in blinking, pain, discharge, facial swelling, puffiness, tenderness or loss of eyelashes (in some severe cases), etc.

If you unable to open your eyes in the morning due to swollen eyes or wake up with eye swelling then don’t worry or rush to your doctor (or pharmacy for eye drops or ointment) for medications. The Mother Nature has given so many amazing remedies to deal with various health or skin problems, including swollen eyes.

Home Remedies for Swollen Eyes:

Here are some of the best and most effective natural remedies that widely used to treat eyelid swelling at home.

Let’s get started…

Remedy – 1: (Cucumber)

Cucumber is an excellent remedy that used to hydrate your eyes and reduce its swelling. The rich content of nutrients (vitamin C & Caffeic acid) in cucumber will help to nourish the skin around the eyes and reduce skin irritation.

• Take a medium-sized cucumber and slice it into thin circles.
• Place these cucumber slices in refrigerator for a couple of minutes.
• Then take out and place this chilled cucumber on each eye.
• Let it sit for about 15 minutes to soothe your irritated blood vessels and constrict them to reduce swelling.
• After that, take off the cucumber slices and repeat this process for once or twice daily until you get rid of the problem.

Remedy – 2: (Cold Compress)

A cold compress will be used to reduce the swelling and irritation on the body (including eye area). This will constrict the blood vessels around the eyes to make them relax and soothe the area.

• Take few ice cubes and wrap it in a thin cotton cloth.
• Place it on the swollen eye area and let it sit for 15 minutes and take it out.
• Regular follow up of this process for 3 – 4 times daily will help to soothe the swollen eye areas and reduce puffiness and swelling.

Note: Or use frozen peas or vegetables as a cold compress on the affected areas, especially at night before bedtime.

Remedy – 3: (Coriander)

Coriander exhibits some cooling and therapeutic properties that help a lot in treating various eye ailments, including eye swelling. It effectively reduces the pain and swelling caused by swollen eyes.

• Take some coriander seeds and tie it in a thin cotton cloth.
• Soak this cloth in water for few hours or overnight.
• After that, use this coriander water to rinse your eyes and also place the coriander tied bag on your swollen eyelids.
• Let it sit for about 15 – 20 minutes to bring down the swelling and other irritation.
• Repeat the same process regularly until you get complete relief from pain and swelling.

Remedy – 4: (Black Tea Bags)

Black tea bags contain tannins that exhibit anti-inflammatory properties that reduce your itching or burning sensation along with redness and swelling. It raises the efficiency and thus gives relief from tired and lifeless eyes.

• For this process, we need a used tea bag, which is refrigerated to get the cooling effect.
• Place a used tea on each of your eyes, particularly on the swollen areas.
• Let it sit for at least 15 minutes and take out the black tea bags.
• Do the same process for once or twice daily until you get rid of the problem.

Note:

• Or use any other herbal tea bags like chamomile tea (soothing and relaxing) or green tea instead of black tea bags for getting rid of swollen eyes.
• Also, drink this herbal tea to get relief from inside the body.

Remedy – 5: (Eye Mask)

Wearing eye mask while suffering from persistent swelling in the eyes will help you to get relief from the problem. Eye mask reduces the swelling that caused due to the constant fluttering of the eyelids. This help to reduce the irritation of the blood vessels around the skin and thereby clears swelling.

Wear eye mask at night before going to bed will help to reduce the fluttering movements and thereby prevent swollen eyes. Take out the mask in the morning to lessen the eye swelling. Do it regularly till you get rid of the problem.

Remedy – 6: (Aloe Vera)

Aloe vera contains anti-inflammatory and skin soothing properties that heal swelling in your eyes. The vitamin E content not only reduces the irritation but also helps for faster recovery of the skin.

• Take an aloe vera leaf and extract its gel.
• Then mix some vitamin E oil to it and stir well.
• Apply this mix on the swollen areas and massage gently for few minutes.
• Leave it for few hours to overnight and repeat the same process regularly till you get complete relief from the eyelid swelling.

Note: This combination not only used to treat swollen eyes but also clears wrinkles and other infections on the eye area.

Remedy – 7: (Turmeric)

Turmeric contains curcumin that exhibits antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that help to reduce swelling and clear irritation and other discomforts caused by swollen eyes.

• Take 1 teaspoon of fresh turmeric powder in a bowl.
• Stir well by adding little water until it forms a fine paste.
• Apply it on the affected eye area and let it sit for few minutes to get dried naturally.
• For best and quick results, reapply it for every few hours or leave it for overnight till you get complete relief from swelling.

Remedy – 8: (Potatoes)

The rich content of vitamin B in potatoes will help to treat swelling and inflammation. It helps to shrink the inflamed skin by absorbing the excess water.

• Take a small potato and cut it into thin slices.
• Place these slices in refrigerator for few minutes.
• Then take it out and place it over the swollen eyes.
• Let it sit for about 10 – 15 minutes and take out the potato slices.
• Continue this process for twice daily till 4 – 5 days to keep the swelling and inflammation at bay.

Remedy – 9: (Witch Hazel)

Witch hazel has anti-inflammatory and astringent properties that help to dry out the swollen area and reduce the inflammation, swelling, and puffiness.

• Simply brew a tea by using a witch hazel tea bag in 1 cup of boiling water.
• Steep for few minutes and use the tea to rinse your eyes.
• Cool the tea bag by placing it in the refrigerator and place it on the affected eye area for few minutes.
• Continue doing the same process regularly till you get complete relief from the problem.

Tips and Precautions:

1. Drink plenty of water to get rid of dehydration and to reduce puffiness and water retention around the eye are by encouraging urination.
2. Avoid salty foods and alcohol intake, as they make the body to get more dehydrated and aggravate the eye infection.
3. Anyone who is experiencing a sudden and unexplained swollen eyelid then they should immediately consult their doctor (eye specialist).
4. Consume a healthy diet that includes more of vitamins and minerals but make sure to consult your doctor to get specific diet required to get quick relief from the problem.
5. Avoid irritants and other well-known allergens that causing you the eye infection or eyelid swelling.
6. Wear sunglasses before stepping out in the sun to protect your eyes from the harmful UV rays and other environmental pollutants.
7. Avoid rubbing or scratching on the affected eye area, as it worsens your problem and delays its healing period.
8. Never ever place ice directly on the affected area, as it causes frostbite and causes damage to the skin. Instead, place a chilled spoon (cool spoon) on the affected eye for few minutes to get relief from pain and swelling.
9. Avoid over rinsing your face, especially eyes until the swelling relieved completely but at night or whenever you feel tired then splash your face with cold water to help constrict the blood vessels and relieves your swelling.

Final Word:

The problem is not serious but causes puffiness, swelling and tenderness of your lower or upper eyelid as indications of infections. Simply follow these natural remedies to get relief from the swelling in the eyes or eyelids.

Do you know any other successful natural remedies for swollen eyes? Then share your experience with us in the below comments box.