When we get older, puffiness and mild swelling under the eyes becomes common. The muscles that hold up the lower eyelids tend to weaken and deform over time. While such an occurrence is normal when we age, there are a number of causes for bags under the eyes even at a younger age. This article highlights the main causes of bags under the eyes as well as a few remedies you can try.

Some of the primary causes of bags under the eyes are

Age
Sagging of the skin around the eyes and mouth is common as we age. The fat that surrounds the eye, especially the orbit, tends to settle right under the eye with age, resulting in puffy bags under the eyes.

Fluid retention
This factor is why people may develop bags unde the eyes at a young age. Medical conditions like congestive heart failure, premenstrual syndrome, high blood pressure, and hypothyroidism can cause fluid retention. Apart from puffiness, these conditions can cause the formation of dark circles.

Lack of sleep
A good night’s sleep is essential for overall health, and the first indicator of sleeplessness is around the eyes. Look out for signs like eyes looking sunken into the socket, dark circles under the eye. High levels of stress are also known to cause swelling under the eyes.

High-sodium foods
Packaged foods like chips, cookies, frozen dinners, and canned meat are all considerably high in sodium content and should be avoided. Having these foods compromises overall health by aggravating a rise in blood pressure, the risk of a stroke, fluid retention, and dark circles.

Heredity
If the occurrence of bags under the eyes is observed in members of your family, you may experience this at a young age. So, if you see such signs in your parents, it’s quite possible for you to develop them as well.

Allergies
Congestion and inflammation causedby allergies can result in swelling under the eyes. Antihistamines can help alleviate the issue if the swelling is not to severe.

Medical conditions
Besides the abovementioned causes, there are medical conditions that can cause puffiness and swelling under the eyes. Some of those conditions include thyroid eye disease, pink eye, and stye.

Here are a few natural remedies that help get rid of bags under the eyes:

Tea bags
Green tea is a primary ingredient used in cosmetics and eye creams thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties. You can refrigerate tea bags that have been used for consumption instead of disposing of them. Leave the used teabags in the fridge for 10-15 minutes, and once they’re cold enough, apply them under and over your eyes to help the skin relax.

Cold compress
Another way to help your eyes and the skin surrounding it relax is to use cold compress. Keep a washcloth or teaspoon in the fridge for a few minutes to let it cool. Place the cold washcloth or teaspoon on and under the eyes to relax the muscles. Cold cucumber slices are also great for hydrating the skin around the eyes and lighten it. These slices naturally help build collagen and relax the stressed skin around the eyes.

A healthy night routine
Get into the habit of practicing a good night-time routine, and that involves thoroughly removing makeup before cleansing the skin and moisturizing it well. Developing this habit is extremely helpful because a layer of makeup can irritate the skin and cause allergies. Not letting the skin remain cleansed over time could result in problems like breaking out, signs of premature aging, and the development of bags under the eyes.

Regular skincare
The sensitive skin around the eyes needs to be treated gently and with care. Avoid wearing using too many skin cosmetics as the process of removing makeup by rubbing cotton or using makeup wipes around the eyes can desensitize the skin in that region. Similarly, remember to gently dab your face towel to wipe off the excess water. Also, if your eyes feel itchy or you want to rub them on waking up, be gentle and try be aggressive with the skin as such an action may compromise elasticity. Avoid touching your face and the skin around the neck to keep premature sagging at bay.

These simple remedies, coupled with the intake of good food and generous amounts of water, should help you prevent bags under the eyes. Any treatment remains incomplete without good lifestyle choices like exercising daily, including raw fruits and vegetables to your food regime, and having at least three liters of water every day.