Tips for Puffy Eyes

• If you have puffy eyes, there are plenty of things that can help.eyes image by EvilGirl from Fotolia.com
  
  Puffy eyes, or "bags" under the eyes, become more and more pronounced as people age. People also get bags under their eyes when they are stressed or don't get enough sleep. There are several techniques you can try to relieve puffy eyes.
  
  

Metal Spoon

• Hold a metal spoon under cold water for a minute or so until it gets cold. Hold the spoon against the puffy area for at least a minute. Repeat until the puffiness is relieved.
  
  

Hemorrhoid Cream

• Hemorrhoid cream is made to relieve inflammation and reduce the size of hemorrhoids, and it will often reduce eye puffiness. Apply the hemorrhoid cream directly to the puffy eye area. Brands that contain yeast or shark's liver oil work best.
  
  

Cucumber

• Placing slices of cool cucumbers on your eyes will help relieve puffy eyes. Keep the cucumbers on the puffy area for several minutes.
  
  

Tea Bag

• Soak black tea bags in cold water for 15 minutes. Remove the tea bags from the water and squeeze out the excess liquid. Place one tea bag on each eye and leave it in place for 10 minutes. Gently press on the bags from the inside to outside corners of the eye to help reduce the puffiness more quickly.
  
  

Ice

• Fill a plastic bag with ice and wrap it in a wash cloth. Hold the ice against the puffy area until it goes down.
  
  

Elevate

• Sleeping with the head elevated can prevent fluid from settling below the eyes. Two to six hours of elevation will significantly reduce puffiness.
  
  

Soaked Compress

• Soak a cotton or wool cloth in either witch hazel or rose water. Fold the cloth into thirds and place the compress on the eyes. Leave the compress on for 15 to 20 minutes or until puffiness is relieved.
  
  

Cream

• Cold cream or eye creams can help with mild puffiness. Massage the cream into the puffy area and gently tap with your fingers. The tapping will help the fluid drain out of the area.
  
  

Splash

• Fill a large bowl or the bathroom sink with water and add ice cubes. Splash the cold water on your face continually for several minutes or until the puffiness is gone.
  
  

Salt Water

• Dissolve 1 tsp. of salt in 1 cup of hot water. The water should be hot but not boiling. Soak cotton cloths in the hot solution. Place the pads onto the eyes and leave in place for five or 10 minutes. If the swelling isn't gone by the time the pads cool off, repeat with fresh hot pads.