Even before Pam and I had a child of our own, babies had been waking us up at all hours of the night for years, and we still had to get up early for work the next day. After a few nights in a row, dark, puffy eyes become the norm. A week in a row? Been there, done that. Here are a few suggestions on how not to look like a zombie even when you feel like one.
The simplest and least gross option is probably under-eye cream. Pretty much anything with anti-inflammatory properties to improve circulation, caffeine to constrict dilated vessels, and antioxidants like vitamin C should provide you with some help. Just beware sharing with your significant other; I tried some with Pam in an Origin’s store, and I came out looking quite “faboolus” with glitter all over my face. Another word of caution: while you could use hemorrhoid cream in a pinch, be sure not to get it in your eyes.
From a dietary and lifestyle standpoint, limiting sugar, which has inflammatory properties, and salt, which can cause you to retain fluid and make eyes puffier. That being said, hydration can help skin maintain its elasticity and decrease puffiness as well. Hydration can also be enhanced by limiting oral intake of caffeine and/or alcohol since these chemicals act as diuretics.
For those who like to play with your food, applying thinly sliced cucumber directly to the eyelids can help if left in place for 30 minutes. Alternatively, since we are in Idaho, potatoes can be another option since they contain a component that can tighten skin. If you prefer an easier cleanup, then simply dipping spoons in chilled water and then using them to cover your eyes can achieve similar results in much less time (even as little as a minute of application) without any wasted food. A cold compress is also an option. If your time is even more constrained, you can always borrow one of your baby’s teething toys from the freezer with similar results. Just make sure you get to use it first unless you enjoy a bit of chilled drool in your eyes ;)
Surprisingly, even though baby drool sounds (and pretty much is) gross to smear on your eyes, I learned people will put much worse on their face while researching for this blog. Apparently, everything from snails to bird poop has magical healing properties for your face, but I can’t necessarily vouch for the efficacy or safety of those treatment options. I’ll let someone else look into those options! Good luck, and remember that those dark, puffy eyes will eventually improve on their own once your little one is sleeping through the night :)
**Be sure to avoid any treatment option that may contain an ingredient that you have an allergy to, as this may cause significant worsening of your symptoms!
Dr Nick
The simplest and least gross option is probably under-eye cream. Pretty much anything with anti-inflammatory properties to improve circulation, caffeine to constrict dilated vessels, and antioxidants like vitamin C should provide you with some help. Just beware sharing with your significant other; I tried some with Pam in an Origin’s store, and I came out looking quite “faboolus” with glitter all over my face. Another word of caution: while you could use hemorrhoid cream in a pinch, be sure not to get it in your eyes.
From a dietary and lifestyle standpoint, limiting sugar, which has inflammatory properties, and salt, which can cause you to retain fluid and make eyes puffier. That being said, hydration can help skin maintain its elasticity and decrease puffiness as well. Hydration can also be enhanced by limiting oral intake of caffeine and/or alcohol since these chemicals act as diuretics.
For those who like to play with your food, applying thinly sliced cucumber directly to the eyelids can help if left in place for 30 minutes. Alternatively, since we are in Idaho, potatoes can be another option since they contain a component that can tighten skin. If you prefer an easier cleanup, then simply dipping spoons in chilled water and then using them to cover your eyes can achieve similar results in much less time (even as little as a minute of application) without any wasted food. A cold compress is also an option. If your time is even more constrained, you can always borrow one of your baby’s teething toys from the freezer with similar results. Just make sure you get to use it first unless you enjoy a bit of chilled drool in your eyes ;)
Surprisingly, even though baby drool sounds (and pretty much is) gross to smear on your eyes, I learned people will put much worse on their face while researching for this blog. Apparently, everything from snails to bird poop has magical healing properties for your face, but I can’t necessarily vouch for the efficacy or safety of those treatment options. I’ll let someone else look into those options! Good luck, and remember that those dark, puffy eyes will eventually improve on their own once your little one is sleeping through the night :)
**Be sure to avoid any treatment option that may contain an ingredient that you have an allergy to, as this may cause significant worsening of your symptoms!
Dr Nick
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