How to Reduce Swollen Eyes After Crying

Wash your face with cold water. If you're in a rush or in a public place, you can go to the restroom to wash your face. Fold a tissue twice to form a square, then dip it in cold water. Gently press it onto your eyelids for about 15 seconds on each side. Look upwards and place the tissue right under your lower eyelid, pressing gently for another 15 seconds on each side. Wait until the skin around your eyes dries. Repeat if necessary.

• Avoid rubbing your eyes or using soap to wash your face.
• Some people suggest mixing 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of table salt with 1 cup (240 ml) of ice water to wash your face. However, this method should be avoided if your skin is red or irritated.

Apply a cold compress to your eyes. Soak a soft cotton cloth in ice-cold water. Squeeze out any excess water and place the cloth over your eyes for about 10 minutes. The cold sensation will cause blood vessels around your eyes to constrict, helping to reduce swelling.

• Using a cold ice pack or a frozen bean bag can achieve similar results. You can create your own cold compress by stuffing rice into a sock and placing it in the freezer. Avoid using crunchy, large vegetables, as they won’t move easily around the eye area.

Place cold spoons on your eyes. Select two small metal spoons that can comfortably cover your eyes. Freeze the spoons for 2 minutes or chill them in the fridge for 5-10 minutes. Then, take the spoons out and gently press them on both sides of your eyes. Keep them on until the spoons warm up.

• If you have time, you can freeze up to 6 spoons. Replace the warm spoons with new ones as needed. Limit the compress to a maximum of 3 applications to avoid skin damage from prolonged exposure to cold.

Lightly tap your eyes. Using your ring finger, gently tap the swollen eyelid area. This can help stimulate blood circulation and move accumulated blood around the eyes.

Massage along the nose bridge. Close your eyes and massage along the bridge of your nose. Focus on the areas beside the nose where glasses rest. This technique can help relieve sinus pressure that builds up when you cry.

Lie down and elevate your head. Place 2-3 pillows beneath your head to keep it elevated above your body. Lie flat on your back, close your eyes, and relax. A brief period of rest can also help lower your blood pressure.

Apply cold moisturizing cream. Place your facial moisturizer in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes and gently apply it to your skin. The cold will help reduce swelling, while the cream will soften and brighten your skin tone.

• The effectiveness of specialized eye creams is still debated. It is unclear whether these creams work better than regular facial moisturizers.
• Avoid creams containing fragrances or peppermint. These ingredients may irritate the skin.

Get enough sleep. Even if your eye swelling is due to crying, other factors can affect the severity of the swelling. Aim to get at least 8 hours of sleep each night to reduce under-eye bags and swelling.

• The recommended sleep duration varies for teenagers and the elderly. It's best to consult a doctor for personalized advice.

Stay hydrated. Salt accumulation around the eyes can lead to water retention and puffiness. Drinking water will help alleviate this condition.

• Additionally, try to reduce your intake of salt and caffeine, as these substances can cause dehydration.

Treat allergies. A mild allergic reaction to allergens, dust, pets, or food can cause swollen eyes. Avoid foods that make your eyes itch, swell, or feel uncomfortable. Take allergy medications if you cannot avoid allergens. Consult a doctor for further advice.

Visit an ophthalmologist. Frequent eye swelling may be due to an underlying issue. An optometrist can assess your vision and recommend eyeglasses or contact lenses to alleviate eye strain. The ophthalmologist can also check for any eye diseases (if present).

Give your eyes a break when using a computer or reading. Every 20 minutes, take a brief eye rest when using a computer, phone, or reading. Focus your eyes on something around the room during this time. While eye strain isn't the most common cause of eye swelling, avoiding it will benefit your overall eye health.

Use a cold compress instead of tea bags. Many people apply cold, wet tea bags to swollen eyes. This method works simply due to the cold temperature. However, some doctors suggest that black tea, green tea, or herbal teas may be helpful. Still, these teas have not been studied, and caffeine—the most likely effective ingredient—doesn’t seem to have an impact. A cold towel can offer similar results and is less likely to cause infection.

Avoid food-based remedies. Sliced cucumbers are the most common home treatment for swollen eyes. While effective, this method is simply due to the cold temperature of the cucumber. It's safer to use a cold towel or ice pack to reduce the risk of infection from food.

• If you prefer to use food, ensure the cucumber is properly washed. Avoid using potatoes, egg whites, yogurt, and acidic foods like strawberries and lemon juice.

Avoid letting medication irritate the eyes. Some medications can be dangerous when applied near the eyes, as they may cause pain or serious injury. Do not treat swollen eyes with hemorrhoid cream (Preparation H), Heat Rub (BenGay, Icy Hot), or hydrocortisone.

• If crying smudges your makeup, use a Q-tip dipped in makeup remover to wipe away tears. If you don't have makeup remover, you can use a tissue dipped in soapy water.
• Using a white eyeliner pencil along the inner lash line may help reduce the appearance of redness in the eyes.
• Apply a light concealer or a mixture of concealer and liquid highlighter to cover up swollen eyes.

• Wiping away tears can increase swelling. It's better to gently blot your tears rather than wipe them away.