Baggy Eyes

Thyroid problems

People suffering from a thyroid problem (also referred to as a goiter) normally have very baggy eyes - if you have any qualms about your thyroid, or if you have any symptoms of an over - or under active thyroid please consult your doctor immediately.

Aging and nutrition

As we age the fragile skin around our eyes start to lose its elasticity, and here we can look at nutrition to assist us in our fight against aging, as poor nutrition contributes to aging as well.

Although all natural eye gel products will assist in re-vitalizing the collagen and elastin in the skin around the eyes, you do need vitamin C in your system in order for collagen to be formed.

In the absence of vitamin C, collagen CANNOT be synthesized by the skin. To only take in 60 mg of vitamin C per day - the recommended daily allowance (RDA) - will NOT achieve much – it will only prevent scurvy.

To assist in collagen formation and re-vitalizing your fragile skin around the eyes - please consider taking an extra vitamin C (ascorbic acid) supplement, but should you have any health concerns please consult your medical practitioner before doing so.

When taking a vitamin C supplement, look at one that contains bioflavonoids (vitamin P) as well, as these bioflavonoids add to the potency with which the vitamin will perform its work.

Tiredness

Plain tiredness will also add to the problem of bags under your eyes, and especially to those ugly dark circles under the eyes.

Have a look at the amount of hours you sleep and also check on the amount of hours you work in front of a computer terminal or watch television – both these actions place a tremendous strain on your eyes.

Eye drops will relieve the blood shot look of your eyeball, but will do little to soothe the tired eyes as such.

Some people recommend a daily supplement of grape seed oil to help relieve eyestrain, as some people do find relief by adding this anti-oxidant to their diet.

To relieve strain, look at having a regular soothing treatment, which can easily, and inexpensively, be done at home.

Some people believe in placing sliced figs or slices of cucumber on their eyes – and although it does work, it may cause an allergic reaction in some individuals.

If you are looking at an alternative treatment to freshen your eyes, try the following:

Take two pieces of cotton wool, large enough to cover your eyes, and soak them in rose water (an inexpensive product that you can buy at the pharmacy / chemist / drug store) and place it over your closed eyelids while lying down.

If doing it during the day close your drapes / curtains and if doing it at night switch off your lights. You will find that doing it in the dark really gives your eyes and stressed out body a relaxing break. Switch off your television during this period of rest, and rather listen to your favorite soothing music. Relax for at least 20 – 30 minutes.

Another soothing way to relieve the tiredness is to take two teabags, place in a cup, and pour boiling water over them. Remove the bags with a spoon after the tealeaves starts giving off their color, and place the teabags in a saucer. Cover the teabags with plastic kitchen wrap, to prevent them drying out, and place in your refrigerator to cool down.

After they have cooled down, (but not too cold, as too cold could damage your eyes) remove from the fridge and place on your closed eyelids, as described above.

Exercises

Eye exercises may also be of great benefit to the general health of your eyes, but first check with your optometrist or eye specialist before starting such a program. A wise old yogi once showed the following exercises – and it may be worth your while to try them.

Sit, relax and while breathing normally but deeply, look at a spot between your eyes, above the bridge of your nose. Keep looking at this spot for a count of five, and then relax the eyes. Next look at the tip of your nose, also to the count of five and relax.

After doing these two exercises try the following:

• Relax and look straight in front of you. While inhaling look right as far as possible, without turning your head, and when exhaling, return the eyes to the front position. Relax and when inhaling again look left as far as possible without turning your head, and when exhaling return your eyes to the front again. Repeat three times.
• The last exercise would be done by sitting up straight and looking down. While inhaling, slowly roll your eyes to the right and then to the top, in a circular movement. When your eyes have reached the top, looking towards your eyebrows, start exhaling while moving your eyes left and downwards in a circular movement. Repeat three times. This exercise can also be done by cupping your palms over your eyes to block out the light – but take care that the inside of your palm does not touch your eyes or eyelashes.

These exercises must be done slowly and with concentration, but before starting them, please check with your health practitioner if they would be suitable for you.

Fluid retention

Fluid retention can be a major cause of swollen eyes, and here you will have to look at your general health and any other underlying medical condition. Diuretic pills (to remove excess water from your body) can be helpful, but many people do have side effects from them.

Vitamin C is a natural diuretic and an increase in this vitamin will not only assist in removing excess water from your body, but will also assist with collagen formation as discussed above. I am sorry to keep harping on the importance of vitamin C, but in my book it is one of the most amazing and underrated vitamins around, which can have a great effect on your general well being.

Salt or sodium

If you are ingesting a lot of salt, either directly or indirectly, it could add to your problem with water retention. Try and cut down on eating raw salt, and check food labels as well, as processed food can contain large amounts of salt – check for sodium on the label.

Toxicity

Although orthodox medicine does not always belief in the benefits of going on a detoxifying diet, I have personally witnessed the effect such a cleansing diet can have on the general health of a person, and particularly on black rings / circles under the eyes.

It would be wise to check with your medical professional before going on such a diet, but a break in your normal diet pattern, and giving your body a bit of a break, could do you the world of good.

Some natural healers do believe that black rings under the eyes and bags under your eyes are indicative of a toxic build-up in the body – and although some people might not agree with this belief, a cleansing diet as such, now and again, is not a bad idea.

Smoking and secondary smoke

You might not smoke yourself, but even secondary smoke can affect the way your eyes look. Most people will have a violent reaction to smoke, such as the eyes turning bloodshot or watery, while others will manifest their allergy in swollen eyes.

If smokers surround you, try and introduce as much fresh air as possible, and if you yourself smoke, take (you guessed it!) extra vitamin C, as smoking kills off large amount of this vitamin, every time you light up.

Allergies

It seems that allergies are becoming more and more prevalent – and although some medical people might not agree with this, our un-healthy, stressed filled lives, surrounded by chemicals additives and preservatives, and environmental pollutants are contributing factors to the increase of allergies.

The reason for this statement is the fact that with so many stressors or triggers around, the body simply cannot cope with the large amount of gunk, and give up the fight, with resultant allergic conditions.

But be it as it may – your swollen eyes might be indicative of some allergen that you are either surrounded by, or are ingesting.

You might not have a major medical reaction to an allergen, such as wheezing, couching, sneezing or a closed chest - you could simple have a slightly stuffy nose, or swollen eyes most of the times.

Tests can be done to determine environmental or food allergies with a simple skin scratch test, a blood test or more alternative types of testing such as a muscle resistant test or a heart pulse test.

If you have any of the tests done, and they come up positive for any item that you could avoid as far as possible, go the extra mile and try to cut the allergen out of your sphere of living – be that either environmental or food in origin.

Environmental allergies are sometimes difficult to fight – if you suffer from a dust mite allergy for instance, you will have to ensure that your house is virtually dust proof, and that all drapes, mattresses, carpets and all other soft furnishings are treated with a mite and dust controlling solution, and that air conditioning filters are kept spotlessly clean.

If you are allergic to seasonal items, such as pollen, you could ask your medical practitioner for assistance during that time, with an allergy-fighting drug of some sort – but be careful of such medication containing cortisone – as this ingredient may cause more problems than it solves.

And once again, look at vitamin C to assist in fighting allergies – this humble little food supplement can help alleviate the symptoms to a great degree. And remember to look for the added bioflavonoids.

When selecting cosmetics or skin care products – be extra careful to choose a range that will not cause an allergic reaction, and that has been formulated with this in mind. Dabeestuff products have been specially formulated with this in mind and also contains herbs to soothe some allergies.

Facial creams

If you apply eye cream, or any facial cream incorrectly, it may cause your eyes to be puffy and swollen – especially in the morning.

Make sure the creams are not applied to the center corner (near your nose) of your eyes, as the cream could impact and obstruct a tear duct, which will cause swelling of the eye.

The way you sleep

If you find that your eyes are more swollen in the morning, have a look at increasing the height of your pillows, by adding another pillow when going to bed. The raising of your head could assist with draining excess fluids as well.

Facial massage

Facial massage, and specially massage treatment around your eyes can assist in the draining of fluids around your eyes.

Although massage can be most beneficial – it must be done correctly, with concentration and not be rushed through.

First clean your face well and then use a very light textured oil or cream as massage medium to prevent stretching or stressing this fragile skin.

You might want to look at almond oil, since this oil is wonderfully emollient, without being heavy and greasy. Another oil that you might consider is jojoba oil, but because of the high cost of pure jojoba oil, it might work out a bit expensive.

When doing facial massage, please keep your touch SOFT and do not stretch the skin – it must be done gently.

If you have long hair, tie it away from your face before doing any facial massage to prevent the oil or cream getting into your hair.

When you are finished doing the massage, remove the oil from your eyes by gently washing the area with a very gentle cleanser, or remove the excess oil by blotting it with a tissue. Make sure to remove excess oil or cream from the corners of your eyes, otherwise, as stated above, you might land up with eyes that are even more baggy or swollen.

• Massage # 1
  • Place the ring finger (because it is not too strong) of each hand into the inner corners of each eye (#1 on the sketch) and press down gently to the count of three seconds, relax and then slide the fingers gently underneath your eyes towards your temples (# 8 on the sketch). When reaching the temples, gently massage in a circular movement. Slide your fingers back gently to the inner corners of your eyes again and repeat seven times.
• Massage # 2
  • Place the tip of your right hand middle finger gently where your nose starts (point # 2) and slide it up and down to the tip of your nose (point # 3) and back 10 times. Then, by using the fingertips of both the middle fingers, gently press towards your face on the point on your cheek and nostrils meet (point # 4). Release the pressure, and with small circular movements, softly massage all the way up to your temple, following the bone structure under your eyes – taking about 10 seconds to do so. Massage your temples for 5 seconds and then slide your fingers, going back the same way, back to the starting point and repeat the exercise 5 times.

Herbs that effectively reduce baggy eyes...

• Butcher's Broom extract stimulates the blood capillaries and increases circulation in the lymph. It also helps the veins to constrict and promotes healing of broken capillaries (the walls of the veins), which improves blood circulation in the skin surrounding the eyes.

  In other words, this herb is used to reduce baggy eyes and improve circulation to the skin around the eyes.

• Centella asiatica extract is used in all our products in the Ageless range. It stimulates the fibroblasts (cells which form connective tissue) and therefore the collagen, which reduces and prevents wrinkle formation. It is also found to increase circulation and to be a diuretic (helps the body drain fluid). Centella, also known as Gotu Kola or Indian Pennywort is also widely used as an extract or in its natural form for its extensive healing properties, an excellent anti-inflammatory - healing wounds and preventing scar formation.

  It can help drain fluid, increase circulation and reduce dark rings around the eyes, formed by insufficient waste removal from the tissue around the eyes. It is also has wonderful anti-inflammatory and healing properties.

• Chamomile is ideal for use on delicate and sensitive skin. It is an excellent decongestant (reducing blockages) and is a powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant. It is excellent to use to combat allergies and has a superb healing effect.

  Chamomile reduces the effect of allergies (for example: hay fever and sinus) on the skin surrounding the eyes. It is also used to prevent free radical damage to the skin and as a powerful anti-inflammatory.

• Horsetail, Lady's Mantle, Ivy, and Rosehip add to the list of herbs that are beneficial in combating wrinkles, lines, baggy eyes, crow’s feet and dark rings around the eyes.