What should you know about puffiness under one eye?

Rubbing, a new cream, a sting, or eye exposure can irritate one side. A tender lump along the eyelid may be a blocked gland. Itching and other raised patches can occur with hives or angioedema. Redness, heat, pain, discharge, or swelling that extends around the eye can occur with cellulitis and needs medical assessment. Vision change, pain when moving the eye, or marked light sensitivity raises concern for a deeper eye problem rather than ordinary cosmetic puffiness.

Do not rub, massage, squeeze, or apply steroid or antibiotic cream near the eye unless a clinician has advised it. Remove contact lenses and eye makeup while the area is irritated. A cool compress over closed skin can be soothing. Wash hands before touching the eyelid and monitor vision, pain, redness, and spread. Seek advice if the swelling does not settle, keeps returning, or follows an injury or procedure.

Get urgent medical care for reduced or blurred vision, severe eye pain, pain with eye movement, fever, rapidly spreading redness, pus, or difficulty opening the eye. Call emergency services for swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat with breathing or swallowing difficulty. Do not wait for cosmetic swelling to resolve when these warning signs are present.

Ask what the examination suggests, whether you should stop a product or medicine, and whether an eye specialist is needed. Tell the clinician when it started, whether itching or pain came first, and whether you have discharge, vision changes, allergies, or recent injury.