A swollen eye is a medical condition caused due to infections or medicinal side effects.

With proper medical attention, this condition can be treated.

Specialists might prescribe several home remedies like warm or cold compresses and tea bags to treat swollen eyes.

Sometimes severe pain and itching can also be there with inflammation.

You can consult your doctor for further treatments if home remedies don’t work.

They may recommend medicines like antihistamines and painkillers.

Continue reading to know more about swollen eye remedies at home.

Fact
According to NCBI, Anterior blepharitis occurs more often in young females with relatively short symptomatic histories, while chronic blepharitis presents more commonly in fair-skinned females between 35 and 40 with concurrent rosacea.

Home remedies for a swollen eye

Swollen eyes can be very annoying while performing daily activities.

Here are some home remedies to get rid of swollen eyes: 

Tea bags

Using a tea bag is one of the most popular home remedies for swollen eyes.

These may help because of the caffeine present inside the tea.

Caffeine helps in the narrowing of blood vessels reducing eye inflammation.

This home remedy is very easy to use. You can use either a green or a black tea bag.

Steps to use tea bags for swollen eyes:

  • Use the bags to make tea by dipping them in the water, then put the bags in the freezer.
  • After some time, take out the bags and put them on your closed eyes.
  • You can feel the soothing effect on your eyes and a slight decrease in the swelling.
  • Use this remedy 2 to 3 times a day to see effective results.

Rinsing and washing

A swollen eye can be because of an allergic reaction or an irritant.

In such cases, washing the eye can significantly relieve your eye.

You can rinse your eyes with plain water if discharge comes out of the eye.

Washing with cold water can also provide a soothing feel and relieve any redness or burning sensation.

Cucumber

Cucumber can act as a cold compress if kept at a low temperature.

Chilled cucumber slices may help in reducing inflammation of the eyes. 

You have to take a few slices of cucumber and put them in the freezer for a while.

Then put them on your eyes, sit back, and relax.

After some time, you may notice reduced puffiness of the eyes.

Coffee

Caffeine helps in narrowing the blood vessels, which causes swollen eyes.

It reduces the blood flow to the swollen area, thus decreasing inflammation.

You can even mix some coconut oil with coffee powder as a remedy.

Apply the mixture on the swollen part carefully.

Rinse your eyes with cold water after some time to see effective results.

Warning
Be careful while applying coffee under the eye. If it gets into the eye, it can result in severe pain and infections.

Aloe vera gel

Aloe vera gel has a variety of natural medicinal properties. It shows beneficial effects for swelling of eyes due to aging.

It can also be a natural home remedy for swollen or puffy eyes.

You can mix aloe vera gel with a few drops of lemon for this remedy.

Applying this mixture under your eyes can help in providing relief from swelling.

Various other creams in the market contain aloe vera gel for swollen eyes.

Coconut oil

Swollen Eye Remedies - Coconut Oil
coconut oil

Coconut oil is best and very effective for any skin problem. It helps in collagen production and prevents collagen breakdown.

These properties of coconut oil can help reduce the swelling of the eyes.

Coconut oil also shows significance against viruses and fungi.

You can apply coconut oil on the face or the swollen part of the eye.

It may take some time to show effective results after continuous usage.

Also Read: Treatment along with prevention works more effectively. To learn the best treatment options, read our guide “Effective Options for Swollen Eye Treatment“.

Remedies for children

swollen eye (barley)
swollen eye (barley)

Children can frequently experience eye irritation due to frequent touching of eyes.

There are many reasons which can cause swollen eyes in children.

These reasons include rubbing of the eye, insect bite near the eye, or contact dermatitis.

Remedies that a child can use to get rid of swollen eyes are

Cold packs

A cold pack covered in a clean wet washcloth can help reduce inflammation.

Using a cold pack for 15 to 20 minutes can help reduce the eye’s pain and swelling.

Avoid frequent touching

You must avoid rubbing and unnecessary contact with your eyes if they are swollen.

Frequent touching may increase the effect of any allergic reaction or fungi.

Avoid direct sunlight and get plenty of sleep in case of swelling.

Also Read: To know other effective remedies for swollen eyes from a bug bite, read our article “Swollen Eye From Bug Bite: Natural Remedies That Actually Work“.

Conclusion

In conclusion, many home remedies can help in reducing swollen eyes.

Those remedies include cold compress, cucumber, potato, aloe vera, and tea bags.

It is very important to identify the cause behind the inflammation of your eye.

If there is severe pain and a vision change accompanied by swelling, then it is better to consult your eye doctor as soon as possible.

Recommended reading :
To learn more about the medication for swollen eyes, read this article Medications for Swollen Eye: A Guide to Rely.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I treat a swollen eye at home?

Applying an ice pack or a cold cloth to the eye for 10 to 20 minutes at a time can decrease eyelid swelling and pain. You can also apply cucumber, cold tea bags, chilled cream, or serum to reduce eye inflammation.

What causes the eye to swell?

Eyes can swell because of many external factors. Some of the causes of swollen eyes are lack of sleep, water retention, or it can be due to some genetic traits.

What allergies can cause swollen eyes?

Some common allergens that can trigger swelling are pollen dust, pet dander, and chemical allergies. Sometimes it can be due to the change in weather and temperatures.

Should you massage a swollen eye?

Massaging the swollen eye can make the inflammation worse. Rubbing increases the blood flow to your eye, which will cause pain and swelling.

Citations:
WowRx uses only high-quality sources while writing our articles. Please read our content information policy to know more about how we keep our content reliable and trustworthy.