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What Causes Puffiness Of Eyes?

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Posted on Mon, 12 Jan 2015
Question: Hi
I have puffy eyes and I do not know how to get rid of the puffiness. This has been going on for years. What can I do?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ronald Schubert (47 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
puffy eyes possible hypothyroidism

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for contacting HCM

You are concerned about having puffy eyes. You have included a picture that shows you definitely have edema around the eyes. This is frequently seen with hypothyroidism. Have you had your thyroid tested? If not you need blood work to see if your thyroid hormones are working properly. The thyroid is a gland at the base of the neck just below the Adam's apple. This gland regulates your metabolism and if your metabolism is slow it can lead to general swelling including swelling around the eyes.

The swelling around your eyes could also be from allergies. This is known as allergic shiners. To treat the allergy you can use diphenhydramine or loratidine orally. There is also allergy eye drops that may help reduce the allergic reaction around your eyes.

In summary
1. eye swelling
2. possible hypothyroidism
3. getting thyroid testing
4. Allergic eye symptoms
5. Try allergy medications topical and oral

I hope I answered your question. Please contact HCM again with your health care questions and concerns
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ronald Schubert (18 minutes later)
Thanks Dr XXXXXXX I have just noticed that the full message was not sent to you so I have now attached below in case it makes a difference to your suggestions

Hi
I have puffy eyes and I do not know how to get rid of the puffiness. This has been going on for years. What can I do? It is becoming embarrassing as people always ask me why I look tired. I have high blood pressure and I am on Sandoz 25mg. The last time I checked my blood pressure it was 130 over 64. My photo attached has been cropped to hide my identity - this was taken a few days ago at around 9pm

The things I've noticed about myself are as follows;
1. Within 5 minutes of lying down on the bed, one of my nostrils gets blocked. This clears within 5 minutes of standing up.
2. About 1 hour after I have a meal, I start yawning and my eyes (especially the left one) starts watering a lot which makes me look even more tired.
3. I suffer from insomnia. That is, when I sleep, I wake up on average 5 times during the night and have to go to the loo to urinate.
4. I have noticed that when I have sex or masturbate, the puffiness seems to get worse.
5. My urine is usually frothy when I urinate directly into the middle of the water in the WC.

I am 5 feet 9 inches in height and weigh 82.5 kg. I do not smoke but drink alcohol on rare occasions. My doctor has referred to see a Nephrologist in February 2015. This has got nothing to do with my puffy eyes but because I have only just started using Sandoz medicine and my doctor wants to make sure it is not damaging my kidney.
I also were glasses as I am short sighted. Having said that, I only wear it when I am driving or watching TV and not when I am using my computer at work.
I play badminton about twice a month and try to drink enough water to hydrate my self. I take very little salt in my salt as I know this is not good for high blood pressure.
I have recently purchased a scale that measures my fat, hydration, BMI, etc and as of today, these are the readings from it;
Body Fat - 28%
Body Water - 49.2%
Muscle mass - 35.8%
Body Mass Index - 27.2%
Basal Metabolic Rate - 1767 kcal
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ronald Schubert (15 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Allergic shiners

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for return your inquiry with more information.

From your history I can see that you probably have significant allergies that maybe causing your eye puffiness. You mention when you lay down that you get congested and then with sitting up it goes away. This is a sure sign of allergies.. I recommend you try the allergy eye drops or the allergy medications.

The other thing is that you are having problems with hypertension. You mention a medication for your blood pressure but what you wrote is actually the manufactures name and not the medication. This could possibly cause swelling. Since you are seeing a nephrologist do you have any kidney problems or kidney failure. If you do then that would also be a cause for swelling around the eyes.

Before you can get control of the eye puffiness you need to get your other problems in control first.

When you do see your nephrologist in February be sure to ask for a thyroid test if it has not already been done.

In summary
1. try the allergy medications first
2. get control of your blood pressure
3. be sure your kidney functions are OK
4. test for thyroid abnormalities

I hope I answered your question. Please contact HCM again with your health care questions and concerns


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
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Answered by
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Dr. Ronald Schubert

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1984

Answered : 2407 Questions

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What Causes Puffiness Of Eyes?

Brief Answer: puffy eyes possible hypothyroidism Detailed Answer: Thanks for contacting HCM You are concerned about having puffy eyes. You have included a picture that shows you definitely have edema around the eyes. This is frequently seen with hypothyroidism. Have you had your thyroid tested? If not you need blood work to see if your thyroid hormones are working properly. The thyroid is a gland at the base of the neck just below the Adam's apple. This gland regulates your metabolism and if your metabolism is slow it can lead to general swelling including swelling around the eyes. The swelling around your eyes could also be from allergies. This is known as allergic shiners. To treat the allergy you can use diphenhydramine or loratidine orally. There is also allergy eye drops that may help reduce the allergic reaction around your eyes. In summary 1. eye swelling 2. possible hypothyroidism 3. getting thyroid testing 4. Allergic eye symptoms 5. Try allergy medications topical and oral I hope I answered your question. Please contact HCM again with your health care questions and concerns