Swollen eyes in children can be caused by various things. If your little one experiences this condition, as a parent, you need to know the causes and how to deal with it.
The causes of puffy eyes in children vary, ranging from the habit of rubbing the eyes to eye infections. Each cause has a different treatment. For more details, see the following description.
Causes and Ways to Overcome Puffy Eyes in Children
The following are various causes of puffy eyes in children that are common and how to overcome them:
1. The habit of rubbing the eyes
Although it looks simple, the habit of rubbing your eyes can make your child's eyes swell. Rubbing the eyes for any reason can make the eyes swell, especially if the eyes are experiencing irritation due to the entry of dirt or foreign objects into the eye.
Compress the child's eyes with a cloth or washcloth soaked in cold water and use eye drops if needed. However, the eye medication used must be according to a doctor's prescription.
2. Allergies
Allergic reactions in the eyes can occur when the eyes are exposed to substances that trigger allergies (allergens), such as pollen, dust, or animal dander. Not only that, consuming foods or drugs that can trigger allergies can also cause swollen eyes.
Puffy eyes caused by allergies are usually accompanied by red, itchy, watery, or light-sensitive eyes.
To treat puffy eyes due to allergies, you can give your child eye drops or oral medications that contain antihistamines. However, don't forget to consult with your doctor first before giving any medicine to your little one.
3. Injury to the eye
Swelling in a child's eye can also be caused by an injury. These injuries can be minor, such as getting soap or sand in the eye; can also be severe, for example, an impact on the eye.
Eye injuries caused by foreign objects, chemicals, or impact should immediately be checked by a doctor. If your child's eye injury is caused by a foreign object or chemical, rinse his eyes first with running water before taking him to the doctor for examination.
4. Blockage of the tear ducts
When the tear duct is blocked, the tears cannot come out and collect around the eye. This can cause swelling in the area under the eyes. Blocked tear ducts usually result from infection, injury, or chemical exposure to the eye.
Generally, a blocked tear duct will heal on its own within a few days. However, you can help speed healing by compressing the under eye of your little one using a cloth that has been soaked in warm water.
5. Periorbital cellulitis
Periorbital cellulitis occurs when bacteria invade the soft tissues around the eye, especially the eyelids. Usually, this occurs after the child has been bitten by an insect around the eye. In addition to puffy eyes, periorbital cellulitis is also characterized by red eyes and slightly hardened skin around the eyes.
If your little one experiences this condition, take him to the doctor immediately. The doctor will give appropriate antibiotics to kill the bacteria that cause the infection. If left untreated or carelessly, infections around the eyes can spread into the eyeball and cause orbital cellulitis which can lead to blindness.
Swollen eyes in children can be caused by a variety of things, ranging from harmless conditions to serious illnesses. Therefore, immediately consult a doctor if the swelling is so severe that the eyes cannot be opened, or if the swelling is mild but does not improve for more than 2 days.
