Waking up with a puffy face, swollen eyelids or swelling in the body is something many people notice. Sometimes it’s due to allergy, but morning swelling can also be an early sign of other health problems that need attention. In this video, Dr. Dipak Viradia, Chest Physician & Intensivist, explains how to tell the difference.

When Morning Swelling May Be Allergy

Allergy can cause swelling, especially around the eyes and face, when:

• Your eyelids are puffy on waking, with itching, redness or watery eyes
• You also have sneezing, a blocked or runny nose in the morning
• It’s worse after sleeping on old pillows or bedding, a sign of dust mite allergy
• You have hives (raised, itchy patches) along with the swelling
• The swelling settles during the day

Sometimes allergy causes deeper swelling of the lips, eyelids or face called angioedema.

Emergency Signs: Get Help Immediately

Go to the hospital or call 108 at once if swelling involves the lips, tongue or throat, or comes with difficulty breathing, swallowing or speaking, dizziness or fainting. This can be a severe allergic reaction.

Other Causes of Morning Swelling

Not all swelling is allergy. Morning swelling can also be caused by:

• Kidney problems: puffiness around the eyes on waking is a classic early sign. It may come with frothy urine, reduced urine, or swelling of the feet.
• Thyroid problems (hypothyroidism): puffy face, tiredness, weight gain, feeling cold, dry skin.
• Heart problems: usually swelling of the feet and legs that gets worse by evening, with breathlessness on walking or lying flat.
• Medicines: some blood pressure medicines, painkillers and steroids can cause swelling. A few BP medicines can occasionally cause swelling of the lips or face.
• Lifestyle factors: too much salt, poor sleep, sleeping face-down, or alcohol the night before.

See a Doctor If

• Swelling happens regularly or doesn’t settle during the day
• There is no itching, but swelling persists
• Your feet or legs are also swollen
• You notice frothy urine, reduced urine, breathlessness, tiredness or weight gain
• Swelling started after a new medicine

How the cause is found. Your doctor will examine you and may advise simple tests such as a urine test, kidney function tests, thyroid tests and blood counts, along with allergy testing if allergy is suspected. The right diagnosis makes sure a serious condition isn’t mistaken for allergy.

Dr. Dipak Viradia
Chest Physician & Intensivist | Interventional Pulmonologist & ECMO Specialist
Rudrax Chest Clinic, 301, Solaris Royce, Opp. Old RTO, Athwagate, Ring Road, Surat – 395001
Appointment: +91 75676 19985
Website: www.drdipakviradia.com