EYE BAGS: A COSMETIC CONCERN OR SERIOUS UNDERLYING MEDICAL CONDITION ?

Eye bags are usually harmless and don't require medical care. But if the swelling is severe, persistent, painful, itchy or red you need to check with the doctor to rule out other possible causes that can contribute to the swelling, such as thyroid disease, infection or an allergy.

Causes of Eyebags

As we age, tissues around the eye weaken gradually. Lower collagen levels cause the skin and underlying muscles all over the body to lose elasticity and tone. As the skin tone is lost, the fats shift into the lower eyelids and makes the eyes look puffy. This sagging is especially noticeable around the eyes because the skin there is very thin.

Other factors that can contribute to eye bags are

Lack of sleep
Eye fatigue
Stress
Smoking
Allergies
Fluid retention (often after waking up, or after eating salty food)
Inherited facial feature

Symptoms of Eye Bags

Mild swelling
Saggy or loose skin
Dark circles

Treatments for Eye Bags

Identifying the underlying cause of bags under the eyes is the first step in choosing a remedy.

Eye bags that result from aging or run in family, a cosmetic solution like plastic surgery can be the solution.

If the eye bags are the result of environmental or underlying health issues, there are some simple home remedies and lifestyle changes that help to lessen the puffiness

Sleep enough (average 8 hours daily).
Sleep with your head elevated a few inches to keep fluid from pooling around your eyes.
Avoid fluids before bedtime and salt throughout the day.
Use a damp, cool washcloth as a compress on your eyes, preferably while sitting upright. Alternatively, cucumber slices or cold, damp tea bags can be used to help bring down swelling.
Keep your allergy symptoms under control by avoiding triggers and taking prescription or over-the-counter allergy medications.
If you’re a smoker, make every effort to quit. Avoiding smoking not only is good for your general health and eyesight, it also will slow down collagen loss that thins the skin.
One popular home remedy for reducing bags under the eyes is the use of hemorrhoid creams. Hemorrhoid creams contain phenylephrine, which constricts blood vessels and can temporarily tighten the skin under the eyes, making eye bags less noticeable. Be careful not to get the cream in your eyes as it could irritate them.
There are also wrinkle treatments and skin therapies designed to tighten under-eye skin and reduce puffiness. The list includes chemical peels, laser resurfacing and injectable dermal fillers.