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The causes of bags under the eyes

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The main causes of bags under the eyes

The causes of bags under the eyes can be divided into two main groups: physiological and pathological.


Physiological causes

Bags formed under the eyes due to edema of the skin and subcutaneous tissue or as a result of age of aging.

In healthy people they appear in the following cases:

  • Chronic sleep deprivation and fatigue. Bags is usually quickly pass after a good rest;
  • Eating salty foods at night: salt causes thirst and water retention in the body. The kidneys do not withdraw from the body fluid, which leads to the formation of edema on the face;
  • The abuse of alcohol: alcohol is also water retention in the body;
  • Long-lasting and intense tan: in this case, a defensive reaction from ultraviolet radiation, which leads to accumulation of the skin of the liquid;
  • Intense visual work for a long time (reading, computer);

  • The increase in estrogen levels in women before menstruation;

  • Age-related changes of the skin, which are manifested in a significant reduction of skin firmness and elasticity; resulting in sagging skin under the eyes;
  • Genetic predisposition.

In the above situations, the appearance of bags under the eyes is not accompanied by any other symptoms, they go by themselves to the middle of the day or after the elimination of their causes. Age bags under the eyes are always present and do not undergo changes during the day. In some cases, this pathology represents the age of a hernia (a bulging under the eyes of the subcutaneous fat). This problem is solved by surgery.

Pathological causes

Often bags under the eyes are perceived strictly as a cosmetic defect, especially women. But they also can be a symptom of serious diseases. If in addition the occurrence of bags under the eyes are observed to have any symptoms of feeling unwell, the reason for their appearance can consist of the following pathologies:

  • Of kidney disease.When the attack of pyelonephritis or glomerulonephritis bags formed under the eyes overnight or for several hours. Related symptoms are: General malaise, back pain, fever, pale skin, urination disorders, changing color and composition of urine. Glomerulonephritis also observed increased blood pressure, headaches, blood in the urine.

  • The inflammatory response in acute respiratory viral infections. In the formation of red bags under eyes in a few days cause respiratory inflammatory diseases:

    1. Adenovirus infection: is accompanied by a rise in temperature, nasal congestion and discharge, sore throat, cough, irritation of the eye;

    2. Sinusitis (inflammation of paranasal sinuses): sinusitis, frontal sinusitis, etmoidit. When sinusitis the bag is generally formed under one eye, because it is often one-sided. When etmoidit there is pain with pressure on the nose. Swelling under the eyes accompanied by runny nose, fever, headache;

    3. Conjunctivitis (inflammation of the conjunctiva of the eye): the formation of bags under the eyes combined with redness of the eyes, burning and stinging in the eyes, lacrimation, gluing of eyelashes and eyelids after sleep.

  • Allergies. Allergic reactions are often accompanied by edema of the tissues. If swelling appeared on the face, usually it manifests itself in the form of bags under the eyes. Allergic reactions can cause plant pollen, animal dander, insect bites, dust, foods, which are strong allergens (citrus, chocolate, etc.). When allergies bags under the eyes can occur within hours or even minutes. Depending on its causes marked symptoms such as itching, sneezing, nasal discharge, eye redness, watery eyes.

  • Pathology of the thyroid gland. Bags under eyes often occur on the background of diseases of the thyroid gland. In severe hypothyroidism may develop myxedema – mucoid edema of the subcutaneous elastic solid consistency, does not leave pits when pressed. Goitrous enlargement of the adenoma or carcinoma of the thyroid can press on the veinsneck, in this case, the bags under the eyes appear because of the violation of the outflow of blood from the face. Symptoms of hypothyroidism: weight gain, reduced vitality, depression, weakness, drowsiness, impairment of memory and attention, disorders of the gastrointestinal tract (constipation), hair loss, nail exfoliation, a disorder of the menstrual cycle in women.

  • Cardiovascular disease. Bags under the eyes dark, bluish hue may indicate chronic heart failure. They are formed gradually, in weeks or even months, be more in the evening and decrease or completely take place in the mornings. In parallel, there are severe swelling of the legs. Associated symptoms include recurrent pain in the heart region, tachycardia, fatigue, shortness of breath, decreased performance.

  • A syndrome of compression of superior Vena cava. If the appearance of bags under the eyes combined with strong swelling of the face, frequent bleeding from the nose, headaches, cough, hoarseness of voice, then they can be the consequence of the violation of the outflow of venous blood via the superior Vena cava (from head to heart). Possible causes of this pathology are cancers of the lungs or mammary glands. The compression of the Vena cava indicates the presence of metastasis.

  • Injury. Swelling under the eyes is a frequent consequence of injuries of soft tissues of the face. In this case, the eye swim, eye movements and eyelid hurt. Bags under the eyes occur and with more serious injuries: fractures of the nose or upper jaw. If the bags under the eyes combined with severe bruising, especially placed around the eyes in the form of points and manifest themselves some time after the injury, should immediately contact the health facility – it could be a sign of basal skull fracture.

Bags under eyes during pregnancy

We should also consider the appearance of bags under the eyes during pregnancy. Small bags under eyes pregnant – in most cases a natural phenomenon. The body of a pregnant woman is prone to delay salts and accumulation of fluid in adipose tissue and the subcutaneous tissue, leading to increased body mass, increased hydration, etc.

Pronounced bags under the eyes should alert if they appearedsuddenly, in a short time, and this was not preceded by the consumption of salty foods or a large volume of water.

More natural is the formation of bags under the eyes in the later stages, in the third trimester of pregnancy. If their appearance is seen in the first trimester, it is more likely that this pathological edema caused by kidney problems or preeclampsia (a pregnancy complication).

Bags under the eyes in an infant

Slight edema of the face and bags under the eyes in a newborn baby is a natural occurrence, because during childbirth is the squeezing of the baby's head, which causes small blood circulation.

Pathological reasons for the appearance of bags under the eyes in an infant include:

  • Increased gidrolabilna (instability water exchange): it's not really a pathology, as it is characteristic of virtually all children under the age of 3 months;
  • Hemolytic disease of the newborn: a consequence of immune conflict between the RH blood factors of mother and child;
  • Congenital hypothyroidism (deficiency of thyroid hormones): appears in the first months of life with symptoms such as increased body weight, swelling of the face, delay the overall development;

  • Increased intracranial pressure: usually it is a clinical manifestation of hydrocephalus (dropsy of brain);

  • Congenital heart disease;
  • Congenital pathology of the liver: manifest swelling and jaundice;

  • Diseases of the kidney and genitourinary system: inflammatory processes (pyelonephritis, glomerulonephritis), kidney stones; abnormalities of the urinary tract (pathology urethral valves, vesicoureteral reflux, ureteral stenosis);

  • Allergic reactions: among infants, the most common food Allergy. An allergic reaction is usually manifested in the form of rashes, pruritus, conjunctivitis, angioedema;

  • Viral infection;

The formation of bags under the eyes the child could not be associated with disease, it may be a purely physiologicalreasons:

  • Prolonged crying or screaming;
  • Excessive drink or salty food;
  • Finding the child's head in a position lower than the body during sleep.

In older children the appearance of bags under the eyes is caused by the same reasons as in adults. It is necessary to address urgently to the health facility, if the bags appeared suddenly hold all day long and are increasing with time, and also identify the symptoms of child anxiety, fever, headache, lacrimation, urination disorder.


Treatment of bags under the eyes

The choice of method of treatment depends on the reasons for their occurrence. If the formation of bags caused by physiological reasons, it is recommended that:

  • To limit the consumption of salty and spicy foods;
  • Drink at least 2 liters of fluid, but to limit its consumption in the second half of the day, especially at night;
  • To refuse alcohol and Smoking;
  • Sleep at least eight hours a day;
  • This morning instead of washing, wipe the face and eyelids with ice cubes.

To find out whether the cause of bags any internal disease, are used following main methods of diagnosis:

  • General analysis of blood and urine;
  • Ultrasonic research of heart, kidney, thyroid;
  • Chest x-ray.

If the appearance of bags has a pathological reason, it is necessary to treat the underlying disease.

Remove bags under eyes

Today, beauty salons offer the following services as alternatives to surgical intervention:

  • Electrical stimulation: is the exposure of the skin to low-frequency electric current, which improves skin tone, stimulates blood circulation and metabolic processes;
  • Mesotherapy: under the skin injection are special substances that increase the elasticity and accelerates regeneration of the skin;
  • Lymphatic drainage: manual or hardware massage that stimulates the flow of excess lymphatic fluid out of problem areas, eliminating swelling;
  • Infrared radiation the eye area that has anti-inflammatory effect;
  • Peeling around the eyes.

Cosmetics:

  • Creams, ointments and gels against bags contain hyaluronic acid, elastin and collagen, extracts of parsley and sage, gels further have the effect of lifting;
  • Patches of bags under the eyes contain herbal adaptogens (ginseng root, extracts of Ginkgo biloba, aloe Vera, red algae), moisturize the skin and help to remove bags due to the greenhouse effect. You can use them at most 2 times a week to avoid excessive stretching of the skin;
  • Masks from swelling under the eyes contain a variety of vitamins and minerals.

Injections of hyaluronic acid

Substances such as elastin, collagen, hyaluronic acid produced in the human body, but with age, their synthesis begins to decline. As skin elasticity decreases, there is a bulging of subcutaneous fat under the eyes. Advanced hernia age may increase because of the ability of tissue to accumulate fluid.

The injection of hyaluronic acid moisturize the skin and stimulate metabolic processes. They're most commonly used for correction of age-related changes around the eyes. But keep in mind that first and foremost they are used for elimination of fine lines and wrinkles. In terms of removal of bags under the eyes is injections of hyaluronic acid less effective.

Conducting such a procedure can only deal with a clinic that has a certificate. The composition of injection (concentration of acid) and the depth of injection are selected in each case individually after consultation.

Hyaluronic acid injections are performed on an outpatient basis. It usually takes a few sessions. The procedure is repeated 1 time per 2-3 weeks. After a few days can be swelling around the eyes. Traces of injections are in 3-4 days. Hyaluronic acid can safely be used in cold season.

The effect of hyaluronic acid is not very long and lasts 9-12 months. After it dissolves under the skin, wrinkles and sagging skin come back. Another negative aspect is addictive to hyaluronic acid. When it is of multiple use, the body begins to worse to produce the acid itself.

Contraindications for this procedure are allergic to hyaluronic acid, pregnancy and lactation, heart disease, increased tendency to edema of the tissues.

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Blepharoplasty

Blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery is a plastic surgery technique. The purpose of thissurgery – removal of excess fatty tissue (hernias century) under the eyes, resulting because of hereditary or age-related reasons.

With age, the skin stretching and weakening the muscle bundles result in sagging of the soft tissues in the lower eyelid. Internal adipose tissue is not withheld by the circular muscle of the eye within the orbit. So there are bags under the eyes.

During surgery, incisions are made so that future scars that matched the natural folds of the skin and was invisible. The main functions of age not violated.

The operation is performed on an outpatient basis under anesthesia and lasts from 20 to 90 minutes, depending on the difficulty level. Bleeding and pain are virtually absent.

There are three main ways the blepharoplasty:

  • Classical technique: incisions are made approximately 1 mm below the ciliary edge of the eyelid. This method is used if in addition to the protrusion of subcutaneous fat also has excess skin under the eyes that you want to delete. The sutures are removed 5-7 days after surgery, swelling persist for 7-10 days; the Final result can be assessed after 2-3 weeks;
  • Transconjunctival blepharoplasty: in this case, the incision or puncture is made in the inner side of the lower eyelid, the mucosa and remove the excess fat. This method is often used in young patients, when there is no need removal of excess skin, since this technique is impossible. After such an operation, there are no visible scars on the skin, changes shape and eye shape. The stitches dissolve, the rehabilitation period lasts 4 days. This time, however, it is recommended to avoid reading, computer work, watching television, and within two weeks to avoid intense exercise;
  • Endoscopic blepharoplasty: in this method, the penetration to the site of the operation is performed through the mouth. As a result, completely no visible traces of surgical intervention. Excess fat can be either removed or uniformly distributed along the lower edge of the eye orbit.

Sometimes when conducting classical and transconjunctival blepharoplasty uses the laser. This helps to reduce the risk of extensive bruising and swelling after surgery, however, the application of laser techniques has its advantages only when the manipulations on the circular muscle of the face, in other cases it is not particularly useful.

The operation:

  • Before surgery you need to take advice where it appears hereditary diseases, allergies, whether the patient takes any medications (over 10 days before the surgery may not take medications containing aspirin). Consultation of the anesthesiologist and the cardiologist, done ECG.
  • Before the operation not after 12 hours of the night to eat, drink, smoke. On the day of surgery not to wear jewelry, paint nails. Anesthesia may be local or General, it is solved individually.
  • After surgery, strong pain is not present, but there is some discomfort due to minor irritations of the eyes and feeling of heaviness of the eyelids. Should make ice. The rehabilitation period is 10-12 days, the duration of swelling and bruising depends on the individual characteristics of the organism. You may experience increased sensitivity to light and watery eyes. It is not recommended to wear contact lenses, smoke, drink alcohol, use decorative cosmetics for two weeks. The stitches and swelling to completely disappear after 2-3 months.
  • The results of blepharoplasty are retained longest in comparison with the results of other areas of plastic surgery. The need for subsequent surgery usually appears not earlier than in 10-12 years.

Possible complications of blepharoplasty:

  • Bleeding;
  • Itching suture;

  • Small hematomas and cysts of the epidermis, are easily eliminated;

  • Infection (conjunctivitis), occurs rarely;
  • Lagophthalmos – the inability to completely close the eyes or a slight lag outside corner of the eye, is observed only in the rehabilitation period;
  • Violations of the secretion of tear fluid (dry eye syndrome);

  • Glaucoma, double vision (very rare).

Currently blepharoplasty is one of the most common plastic surgeries. However, it does not eliminate the darkening of the skin under the eyes and wrinkles.

Contraindications for this operation are:

  • Endocrine pathology;
  • Cancer;
  • Infectious processes in the body;
  • Of blood clotting;
  • Elevated intraocular pressure.