The skin of babies is delicate and thin. This is especially evident in places near the eyes. Changes in the skin indicate a state of health. Parents should not ignore the appearance of edema under the eyes of the child, as this can be a symptom of severe ailments. The causes of this phenomenon and treatment are described in the article.
Causes
Edema under the eyes of newborns is considered normal, this is due to changes in blood circulation, which occurs in the body after birth. If the violation disappears within a few days, then parents should not worry. But why does a child have bags under his eyes at an older age? This may be due to:
- Conjunctivitis or inflammation in the paranasal sinuses.
- An imbalance in the ratio of salts and liquids, which manifests itself when drinking or eating food with salt in large quantities.
- Allergy, manifested in the form of bags, due to the fact that the skin under the eyes is considered more sensitive.
- Additional symptoms - fatigue, shortness of breath.
- Lack of sleep and other sleep disorders, which is more observed in infants.
Why are bags under the eyes of a preschool child? This may be due to the heavy load on the eyes, which appears with a long stay at the computer, exercise, reading in low light.
Diseases
So why does a child have bags under his eyes? It should be borne in mind that if the symptom does not disappear for a week or more, then the reason for this may be related to:
- barley and conjunctivitis;
- kidney disease
- heart failure;
- metabolic disorder;
- high intracranial pressure;
- vegetovascular dystonia;
- impaired liver function;
- diabetes mellitus.
If even after the above symptoms, you still do not know why the child has bags under the eyes, then the viral pathologies of any organs and systems can be a provoking factor. In any case, you must consult a doctor for diagnosis and treatment.
Symptoms
Red bags occur after sleep or crying. But it quickly disappears. If the edema under the eyes of the child does not go away, then this can be a symptom of diseases, each of which has other symptoms:
- If swelling arose suddenly, and the eyes are red and there is a discharge from the nose, then this is a sign of an allergic reaction.
- Edema, in which swelling of the inner corners of the eyes occurs, is a confirmation of the obstruction of the lacrimal tubules.
- If, in addition to the bags, there are lumbar and headaches, as well as difficulties with urination, then this may be a kidney disease. The bags under the eyes will then disappear after the treatment of the disease.
An urgent appeal to a doctor is needed when:
- swelling of other parts of the body;
- abdominal pains;
- fatigue;
- headaches;
- profuse lacrimation;
- sharp reddening of the conjunctiva.
The causes and treatment of bags under the eyes in children may vary, so each situation requires an individual approach. Only a doctor can determine why this symptom appears. He will also prescribe an effective method of treatment based on the condition of the baby.
After sleep
What are the causes of bags under the eyes of a child after sleep? This occurs due to a violation of the regime when there is lack of sleep or sleep lasts longer than normal (12-14 hours). The appearance of bags is associated with inflammation of the tissues of the eye and impaired fluid metabolism in the eyeball.
When sleep continues beyond the norm, which is equal to 8 hours, then edema is associated with a prolonged lack of emptying of the bladder at night. Excess fluids enter this body, including waste from the activity of the stomach and excess intravascular fluid that is removed through the kidneys. This process is continuous, and a little fluid constantly enters the bladder. And with prolonged abstinence, overflow of the bladder occurs - the fluid does not leave the kidneys.
Then the fluids leave the kidneys in the surrounding tissues, which is the reason for the appearance of edema, and not only under the eyes: in these cases, hands and feet often swell. Another cause of bags under the eyes of a 1 year old child is a lying position, in which there is a slowdown in vascular microcirculation in the lymphatic and venous systems of the face epithelium. Therefore, fluid accumulates under the eyes.
Diagnostics
The first test to determine the cause of edema is carried out by the parents. It is easy to establish the presence of edema on the face, as this is striking. If there is such a symptom on the limbs, you need to put a little pressure on the handle or leg of the child. If the trail remains long, then the problem probably has deeper roots.
If after examination by a doctor, inflammation of the genitourinary system is established, then a urinalysis is required, as well as an ultrasound examination of the kidneys and urinary tract. If there is a risk of allergy, a biochemical blood test and an allergological test are prescribed.
How to eliminate this symptom?
The causes and treatment of bags under the eyes are interconnected. That is why it is important to consult a doctor. Symptomatic treatment of this disorder is excluded. It is important to get rid of the root cause for edema:
- If the symptom is associated with a sleep disorder, it needs to be restored. If necessary, add or increase the time of daytime sleep. You also need to go for walks at the same time every day. This restores the metabolism in the body.
- If swelling from allergies occurs, the interaction with the allergen should be limited. If this cannot be done (for example, if there is no possibility of contact with pollen during flowering of plants), then antihistamine therapy is necessary.
- During the examination of the child by the pediatrician, additional diagnostics may be prescribed by certain specialists: a urologist, nephrologist, endocrinologist, cardiologist. This is required for diagnostics in order to identify pathologies of the internal organs.
If bags occur in infants and young children in the morning, then you need to limit the consumption of drinks and food before bedtime. It is important that the last meal is at least 3 hours before bedtime to prevent bags from appearing.
Fluid restriction
Doctors usually advise limiting fluid. When breastfeeding, do not abuse water, as a lot of fluid comes from mother's milk. If artificial nutrition, then the daily rate should not be more than 50 ml to six months and 200 ml at the age of one.
At 2 years, the water norm per day rises to 500 ml. In 3-4 years, it is destroyed to drink no more than 1.3 liters of liquid. And at 7-8 years old, if there is swelling, fluid restriction to 1.7 liters is required.
Proper nutrition
It must be balanced. But with edema, the doctor prescribes a slightly salted diet. Completely remove salt from the child’s diet does not work, because it is considered an important component of metabolism, as well as a catalyst in the creation of digestive enzymes.
Parents should not feed schoolchildren:
- smoked cheeses, sausages, meat;
- pickled vegetables and pickles;
- canned fish and meat;
- semi-finished products - dumplings, cutlets.
For allergic puffiness, these products are excluded from the diet. Proper nutrition is important for the well-being of the child.
Conjunctivitis treatment
Often, due to allergies or the penetration of bacteria into the shell of the eye, a child develops conjunctivitis and bags under the eyes. Only an ophthalmologist can establish this. If the child’s eyes are red, there are bags, then you should contact a doctor sooner.
Eye treatment in newborns is performed after the nature of conjunctivitis is established:
- When bacterial antibiotics are prescribed: "Furacilin", "Oletetrinovaya ointment."
- With an allergic one, hormonal and antihistamines are needed.
- With chlamydial tetracycline drugs are effective.
Genitourinary treatment
The eyes in newborns and older children are pasty if the urinary system is inflamed. The cause may be cystitis. With this ailment, an appointment is likely:
- "Monural".
- Nitroxoline.
- "Palina."
With other disorders of the genitourinary system, bags also appear. In any situation, treatment should be prescribed by a doctor.
Intracranial pressure treatment
The eyes in newborns are pasty due to high intracranial pressure. In addition to the resulting bags under the eyes, strabismus, headaches, weakness, irritability develop. It is treated with:
- sedatives and diuretics;
- electrophoresis;
- Massage
- swimming in the pool;
- vitamins.
Usually, doctors with this phenomenon advise prolonged breastfeeding. After all, breast milk is not only food, but also a cure for many ailments. Such feeding should last at least six months. With high intracranial pressure of an anatomical nature, the appointment of a surgical operation is likely. This resumes the outflow of cerebrospinal fluid from the brain.
Treatment for hormonal disruptions
The eyes in newborns are swollen and due to hormonal disorders. Swelling can be a sign of diabetes, an enlarged thyroid gland. An endocrinologist can establish the data of the disease. After analysis, hormone treatment is prescribed.
With hormonal diseases, it is important for parents to monitor the diet, sleep, physical activity of the child. In any situation, remember that bags under the eyes are a symptom. With parental care and timely treatment, serious ailments can be prevented.
Prevention
In order not to appear red and blue bags under the eyes of a child, it is required:
- restore the regime of the day and sleep;
- provide the room with the optimum temperature;
- do not drink fluids at bedtime;
- exclude contact with allergens.
Thanks to these preventive measures, the occurrence of this symptom is excluded. If red, blue, or black circles appear under the child’s eyes, the cause must be identified. Timely treatment will prevent complications.