Bags under eyes

 

Bags under eyes — mild swelling or puffiness under the eyes — are common as you age. With aging, the tissues around your eyes, including some of the muscles supporting your eyelids, weaken. Normal fat that helps support the eyes can then migrate forward into the lower eyelids, causing the lids to appear puffy. Fluid also may accumulate in the space below your eyes, adding to a swollen appearance.

Bags under eyes are usually a cosmetic concern and rarely a sign of a serious underlying medical condition. At-home remedies, such as cold compresses, can help improve the appearance of bags under eyes. For persistent or bothersome under-eye puffiness, cosmetic treatments are available…

Bags under eyes can include:

    Mild swelling
    Saggy or loose skin
    Dark circles

When to see a doctor

You may not like the way they look, but bags under eyes are usually harmless and don't require medical care. However, see your doctor if the swelling:

    Is severe and persistent
    Is accompanied by redness, itching or pain
    Affects other parts of your body, such as your legs

Your doctor will want to rule out other possible causes that can contribute to the swelling, such as kidney or thyroid problems, infection, or an allergy.

As you age, the tissue structures and muscles supporting your eyelids weaken. The skin may start to sag, and fat that is normally confined to the area around the eye (orbit) can migrate forward below your eyes. Also, the space below your eyes can accumulate fluid, making the under-eye area appear puffy or swollen. Several factors can lead to this, including:

    Fluid retention due to changes in weather (for example, hot, humid days), hormone levels or eating salty foods
    Sleeping flat on your back
    Not getting enough sleep
    Allergies or dermatitis, especially if puffiness is accompanied by redness and itching
    Heredity