Diuretics for swollen eyes: to use or not?

Sometimes patches and home decongestants really “don’t work,” and if they do, it’s only as a placebo—after all, sometimes getting rid of “bags” and “circles” under the eyes is not as easy as it seems at first glance. In this material we will tell you why this aesthetic defect occurs in general and what correction methods exist. We talked about this with a cosmetologist Ishenina Natalya Petrovna

and have prepared for you an overview of the top and most effective procedures for the beauty of the periorbital area.
Let us immediately note that for some patients, according to individual indications, more radical methods of plastic surgery are indicated to solve the problem, for example, blepharoplasty
. Today this is the most effective way to quickly get rid of “bags” under the eyes forever. We will also talk about in what cases and why plastic surgery blepharoplasty is sometimes most appropriate in the article.

Common causes of swelling in the eye area

The tissue around the eyes is loose in structure and contains a lot of fatty tissue, which easily retains moisture. Therefore, if the fluid balance is disturbed, swelling in this area appears quite quickly. Swelling may be caused by one of the following reasons:

• abuse of salty foods;
• consumption of alcoholic beverages;
• inflammatory process due to eye disease;
• allergic reaction;
• eye fatigue;
• kidney diseases, diseases of the genitourinary system;
• tumors;
• eyelid deformities;
• eye injuries;
• lymph stagnation.

If the swelling is not caused by disease or inflammation, then drug treatment is usually not required. With a pathological cause of swelling under the eyes, it can persist for a long time, increasing in size. In such situations, diuretics and other medications may be needed. But using them without a doctor’s prescription is strictly contraindicated; first you need to accurately diagnose the cause.

Pathogenesis of renal edema

The mechanism of formation of renal edema is associated with the following phenomena in nephrological patients:

• massive loss of protein in urine;
• decrease in plasma albumin concentration;
• hyperlimidemia;
• increased movement of fluid from the intravascular space.

Patients have a high ratio of sodium and potassium in the urine, which indicates an imbalance of water and electrolyte balance.

The mechanism for the appearance of such a symptom is still not fully understood, but the characteristic picture indicates to the doctor pyelonephritis, glomerulonephritis. Filtration and excretion of urine are also impaired with kidney cysts, benign or malignant neoplasms.

Will diuretics remove swelling under the eyes?

Diuretic or diuretic drugs increase urine formation and thereby promote the rapid removal of excess moisture from the body. Therefore, sometimes their use for edema may be advisable. But such drugs have a number of side effects. Therefore, in which cases it is permissible to use diuretics, and in which it is better to choose other methods of treatment, a specialist should determine, focusing on the patient’s condition and the cause of the edema. As a rule, diuretics are prescribed for the following indications:

• severe swelling that persists for more than one day and progresses;
• spread of swelling to the face, in particular the cheeks;
• darkening of the skin in the edematous area;
• narrowing of the palpebral fissure (a dangerous symptom that can cause displacement of the eye).

It should be noted that the cause of such symptoms is most often pathological, which means it is not enough to remove excess moisture from the body. It is necessary to begin therapy aimed at combating the underlying disease. Thus, diuretics can only be effective as part of complex treatment.

Swelling of the legs

Edema of the lower extremities forms after a long binge, leading to slow blood flow and thrombosis. The reasons are:

• impaired blood supply due to the negative effect of alcohol on the structure of blood vessels;
• uncomfortable position while sleeping. Alcoholics fall asleep in uncomfortable positions, which interferes with normal blood circulation.

Swelling of the lower extremities is rarely a sign of binge drinking. Basically, this symptom signals serious disorders in the functioning of the liver, thyroid gland, and kidneys. It is impossible to get rid of swelling of the legs using traditional methods. Complex treatment is required. It includes physiotherapy and drug therapy. If left untreated, swelling of the legs leads to gangrene, vein blockage, and thromboembolism.

Commonly Prescribed Diuretics

The list of diuretics presented is incomplete, but it includes tablets that are often prescribed for swelling of the eyes. It is important to understand that the use of any of these medications is permissible only after consultation with a doctor.

"Furosemide".

A powerful prescription drug. For edema it acts very quickly, but has an impressive list of side effects.

"Veroshpiron".

Its speed of action is slower than that of furosemide, but it is also considered an effective drug for quickly relieving edema.

List of diuretic tablets (use only as prescribed by a doctor)

There are many drugs with a diuretic effect that can be effective for swelling of the visual organs and the periocular area. Let's list just a few of them.

"Furosemide".

This drug has a strong diuretic effect and is good for swelling. It can only be purchased with a prescription.

"Veroshpiron".

The medicine does not act as quickly as furosemide, but is considered less dangerous to the body. The peculiarity of the drug is that it removes fluid from any tissue of the human body.

General recommendations for troubleshooting

The first and main recommendation is to start leading a healthy lifestyle:

• Regular sleep of 8–10 hours.
• Balanced diet with reduced amount of salts. Reduce consumption of carbonated drinks, coffee, fatty, smoked and fried foods.
• Introduce natural diuretic foods into your diet: citrus fruits, carrots, watermelons, apples, melons, etc.
• Quit smoking and alcohol abuse.
• Drink diuretic teas, fruit drinks and infusions from: lingonberries and their leaves, cranberries, blackberries, viburnum, rowan.
• If swelling appears after sleep, change the pillow to a higher and more elastic one.

And, of course, just in case, you should consult a doctor about the causes of this problem. Because in this case, self-medication can only be done when you know that the disorder is not caused by a serious illness.

For example, swelling of the cheeks often appears as a result of injury, diseases of the teeth and oral cavity, allergies, inflammation of the lymph nodes and other diseases.

Only special medications should be used against allergies; other methods will not help. And swelling associated with inflammation of the facial nerve should not be treated with various cold compresses, as they will only worsen the situation. Therefore, if your cheeks for no apparent reason begin to look somehow wrong, you should contact the clinic.

You can reduce the likelihood of swelling after sleep with the help of diuretics:

• Natural. We have partially listed foods and drinks with this effect above.
• Medical. These include Torasemide, Amiloride and others. You can also try to relieve swelling with Leoton gel, which is primarily used for the legs. Since the gel is not intended for the face, it must be used with great caution, avoiding contact with the eyes.

The use of medications and diuretics should be agreed with doctors. Here are a few more recipes to improve fluid circulation in tissues:

• Diuretic based on blackberries. You need 80 grams of blackberry leaves, and 10 grams of coltsfoot leaves and birch leaves. The ingredients are mixed and poured with boiling water (1:2). Then keep in a water bath for 15 minutes. The resulting infusion is filtered. The decoction should be drunk in the morning and afternoon, one glass at a time. Usually the course takes up to one and a half to two weeks.
• An infusion of bear's ear herb has an antiseptic effect on the urinary system, so it will be especially useful for kidney diseases. Here you need 1 tbsp. collection spoon. It is poured with a glass of hot water and left in a thermos for 2 hours. The resulting infusion is filtered. You need to take the product 2 times a day, half a glass.
• Flax-seed. It helps remove excess fluid well. For the effect, you need to eat 1 teaspoon of ground seeds daily. They can also be added to porridges and other dishes, since they do not have a pronounced or unpleasant taste and smell. Duration of treatment – ​​1 month.

How to remove facial swelling?

If the disorder is not caused by serious diseases, it is reduced using the following means:

• Massage. Gently, without stretching, you need to pat, pinch and smooth the skin from the center to the edges. It is better to massage using cream. To which sometimes a drop of chamomile, lavender or mint oil is added, or you can use the “Citron” phytobiocomplex from.
• Treat your skin with a piece of ordinary ice. You can also freeze green tea, appropriate herbal infusions or AQUAton tonic. A cold compress will have a fairly close effect. Both methods are very effective and can easily cope with even severe swelling. But this method has a wide range of contraindications - rosacea, sinusitis, sinusitis, inflammation of the facial nerve or recovery from it, etc.
• Instead of ice and a cold compress, ready-made gel masks . They are stored in the refrigerator. And if necessary, apply to the problem area for 3-5 minutes. The restrictions are similar to the previous methods.
• A mask made from fresh chilled cucumber is useful for removing swelling from the skin . To do this, you need to wash it thoroughly, cut it into slices and put them on. The mask exposure time is 10–15 minutes. She has no contraindications.
• A mask made from finely grated potatoes is very effective . Its duration is 15 minutes. After which the mask is removed from the skin and washed with cool water. To consolidate the result, massage is useful.
• Green tea lotion will help with swelling due to overwork and lack of sleep . A tablespoon of tea is poured with 90-degree boiling water and infused for 10 minutes. After that, moisten a napkin with the resulting infusion and cover your face with it. The procedure lasts up to a quarter of an hour. When finished, wash your face with cool water.

Review of the best products

Conventionally, two types of anti-edema agents can be distinguished:

1. Specialized products that can be purchased in the store.
2. Pharmacy products intended for the treatment of other problems caused by swelling.

Proctonis

This cream contains a large number of active substances, including:

• shark liver extract;
• glycerol;
• cacao butter;
• anti-inflammatory herbal extracts.

The drug has a softening and moisturizing effect on the skin of the eyelids.

The cost is 150-250 rubles.

Solcoseryl

This medicine has wound healing properties. When applied to the eyelid area, it promotes improved regeneration at the cellular level, stimulates wound healing and saturates the skin with vitamins.

The cost of the drug is 300 rubles.

Retinoic ointment

This ointment contains retinol, which rejuvenates the dermis and makes it healthier. After applying the product, it is possible to eliminate wrinkles and age spots, activate the regeneration process, normalize the functioning of the sebaceous glands and prevent aging of the dermis.

The cost of the ointment is 317 rubles.

Curiosin

This product quickly eliminates acne and post-acne marks. The main component is hyaluronic acid, so it is recommended to apply the ointment after 40 years. The product reduces dry skin around the eyes, saturates it with oxygen and vitamins. With regular use of Curiosin, it is possible to smooth out wrinkles and eliminate age-related pigmentation on the forehead and other areas of the face. The ointment is effective when applied at the early stage of cellulite.

The cost is 416 rubles.

Zinc ointment

This is an effective remedy that promotes rapid restoration of the skin. After just a few days of use, the condition of the skin around the eyes improves. The drug has protective properties against UV rays, perfectly moisturizes the skin and eliminates wrinkles.

Contraindications for taking diuretic herbs

A preliminary consultation with a specialist is required if there is swelling; the use of diuretic herbs is not recommended for children, pregnant women and the elderly.

Absolute contraindications for the following diagnoses:

• disturbances in the outflow of bile;
• kidney damage or nephrosis;
• diabetes;
• gout;
• kidney stones, especially large ones;
• deficiency of zinc, potassium;
• state of acute renal failure.

Also, do not forget about allergic reactions of individuals to individual components.

You can collect the necessary herbs yourself, following all the necessary rules for drying and proper storage.

How to remove swelling of the eyelids?

To restore a healthy appearance to your eyelids, you can use the following techniques:

• Compresses with chilled green or chamomile tea bags or ice cubes. The ice can be ordinary, or for a more effective effect you can use frozen infusions of herbs: sage, lavender, chamomile, mint, St. John's wort. Place a bag or cube in gauze and apply to problem areas for 10–15 minutes.
• Or add chilled teaspoons. Just keep them in a glass of ice water or the refrigerator and you can apply them. This method is good because it does not require much effort and is suitable for home and office.
• A light massage in the upper eyelid area using cream and oils will also help.
• To remove dark circles, use the following:
• Apply chilled cucumber slices and the swelling will subside in 15–20 minutes.
• You can also make a gauze compress on the problem area with finely chopped parsley.
• A mask made from mashed potatoes or their juice (on cotton pads) will also be useful here.
• Massage using oils and creams is quite an effective remedy for the lower eyelid.

In addition, there are products specifically designed to remove puffiness and dark circles under the eyes. For example, a series of CONTOUR products, cream-Veil, HydroMAX serum from.