What to do if your eyes are swollen after crying
Nov 18, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Liu Wenmin
Introduction
In general, eye swelling after crying may be caused by factors such as tear-induced blood vessel dilation, mechanical injury from rubbing the eyes, allergic conjunctivitis, blepharitis, or dacryocystitis. It is recommended to seek timely medical attention, identify the underlying cause, and receive symptomatic treatment under a doctor's guidance. Maintain good eye hygiene in daily life and avoid touching your eyes with dirty hands. Reduce late-night activities and ensure adequate sleep.
Generally, eye swelling after crying may be caused by tear-induced blood vessel dilation, mechanical injury from rubbing the eyes, allergic conjunctivitis, blepharitis, or dacryocystitis. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly, identify the underlying cause, and receive symptomatic treatment under a doctor's guidance. Specific analyses are as follows:
1. Tear-induced blood vessel dilation: Prolonged crying leads to excessive tear secretion, which continuously irritates blood vessels around the eyes, causing vasodilation and congestion. Apply a cold compress using an ice pack wrapped in a clean towel to the eye area for 10 minutes at a time, repeating every 15 minutes, to constrict blood vessels and reduce swelling. Avoid prolonged crying.
2. Mechanical injury from rubbing the eyes: Excessive force when rubbing the eyes during crying can damage the delicate skin and tissues around the eyes, worsening redness and swelling. Immediately stop rubbing the eyes, gently wipe the periorbital area with saline solution, and apply a mild moisturizing eye cream to promote skin repair.
3. Allergic conjunctivitis: Rubbing the eyes while crying may increase exposure to allergens, triggering inflammation that causes eye swelling and itching. Avoid known allergens such as pollen and dust mites, and use antiallergic eye drops as prescribed, such as levocabastine hydrochloride eye drops, olopatadine eye drops, or ketotifen eye drops.
4. Blepharitis: Chronic inflammation along the eyelid margins may worsen due to tear irritation during crying, resulting in redness, swelling, and flaking. Clean the eyelid margins daily with saline solution, and use antibiotic eye ointments as directed by a physician, such as erythromycin eye ointment, tobramycin eye ointment, or tetracycline hydrochloride eye ointment.
5. Dacryocystitis: Blockage of the tear duct causes tear retention; increased tearing during crying exacerbates infection, leading to eye swelling and excessive tearing. Follow medical advice to use medications such as levofloxacin eye drops, cefixime capsules, or amoxicillin capsules. In some cases, a lacrimal duct probing procedure may be necessary to clear the obstruction and relieve symptoms.
Maintain good eye hygiene in daily life and avoid touching the eyes with dirty hands. Reduce late-night activities, ensure adequate sleep, and avoid eye strain. Eat a light diet rich in vitamin-containing foods to strengthen the resilience of the periorbital skin and minimize episodes of eye swelling.
