Question: My relative has been suffering from swollen under eyes since April this year. Every morning on awakening she gets yellow crusts on the inner corners of both of her eyes. At night the swelling is a lot worse and in the day it is only swollen slightly. In the morning the swelling affects my relative's vision for a few minutes. Do you have any advice regarding to what could be causing it, we thought it may be blocked tear ducts? However, we are unsure, or whether it is a type of infection but there is no sign of redness or itching. Is there anything that can be bought via the chemist that would not be too harsh for this problem? Please can you suggest the best option.

Thank you Doctor for your reply. To answer your questions:

My relative has not been staying in a new place since April, however, she did stay somewhere for two weeks at another place during May. The eye swelling started in April and she did have some tests taken which indicated her thyroid was a little underactive which she does not take medication for. My relative had a general blood test which highlighted the thyroid problem. She then had a blood test to check heart functionality which returned as normal.

In May my relative's doctor prescribed her some antihistamines for under eye swelling suggesting it was a possible allergy (but it is not a confirmed diagnosis on allergy or infection). So she took one antihistamine each day for three days however, she then got bad swelling in her feet and ankles so she stopped taking the antihistamines just in case they caused the swelling (but she doesn't know if they did). After that she was then given a blood test for heart functionality.

My relative was also prescribed Hydrocortisone 1% w/w cream for the under eye swelling, however she is reluctant to use it as it can be harsh on the eyes. Also, if it is allergy related there is the possibility it could either not reduce the swelling or the swelling could be ongoing.

She is not on any other medication and is not known to be Diebetic.

Please can you provide further advice and any possible suggestions on remedies that would not be too harsh on the eyes.

My relative was given her results via her phone. She has no way of giving any further information since she was not sent a letter. She was told her thyroid was a little underactive and that she did not need medication for it. And as previously stated the blood test result for her heart functionality was normal.

Regarding the swelling my relative had on her feet and ankles that went down around 2 weeks and that was in May. She has not had any further swelling in that area, it is just under her eyes that is not improving.