How to Reduce Swelling Above The Eye

Injuries to the eye area look particularly dramatic because the tissue around the eye is so sensitive and swells easily. Bruising and contusions after eye injuries can be helped by following the directions in this article. If the swelling is not due to injury, your eyes may be puffy and swollen due to allergies, conjunctivitis or a virus. Remember, if you feel the eye injury is beyond your medical first aid capabilities, go to the emergency room to seek expert advice.

Things You'll Need

• Cold compress
• Teabags
• Cucumber slices
• Icepack

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Instructions

• 1

  Sit the injured person down comfortably and apply an icepack wrapped in cotton gauze to the swollen region of the eye. Keep the icepack in place for two minutes, then observe the injury to see if the swelling has gone down. If there are no signs of shrinkage, reapply the icepack for another two minutes.

• 2

  Swelling of the region above the eye due to allergies, late nights, or general puffiness may be treated with used teabags or cucumber slices placed over the swollen area and kept in place for half an hour. General eye and facial puffiness can be eased by splashing the face with cold water.

• 3

  Conjunctivitis, or "pink eye" needs medical attention as it is contagious and can spread through close contact, bedding and towels. It can also spread when the infected is living in close quarters or cramped conditions with others. Children with conjunctivitis should be kept home from school until the infection has been treated.