4. Thyroid Disease
Too much or too little thyroid hormone can cause swollen eyes. Thyroid hormone imbalances can also cause dry irritated skin that may appear as a rash all over the body. Thyroid hormone regulates the metabolism, temperature, and heart for your body. If these levels are too high, your metabolism operates too fast. If the levels are too low, your body will slow down too much. Many people complain of eye, skin, and hair issues early on in thyroid disease.
Other Symptoms: Bowel habit changes, changes in appetite, feeling too hot or too cold, fatigue, joint pain, and hair loss.
5. Chagas Disease
Chagas disease is an emerging illness that is normally found in South American countries, but cases are increasing in the Southern United States. It is caused by a bite from the “kissing bug,” which transmits a parasite known as, Trypanosoma cruzi. The infection can cause swollen eyes and rash all over body. In some cases, the infection is mild and goes away with treatment. In cases left untreated, the infection can cause complications with the heart and be fatal.
Other Symptoms: Fever, fatigue, body pain, headaches, gland swelling, appetite loss, and swelling where the bite occurred. In later stages of the infection, heart related symptoms can occur including abnormal heart rate, chest pain, fluid around the heart, and trouble swallowing.
6. Chicken Pox
Chickenpox is a herpes virus that causes a rash all over the body and can lead to eye swelling. It begins with blisters on the trunk that can spread. If blisters spread to the eye area, eye swelling may occur. This is a common childhood disease that occurs in children age 2 and older, but there is a vaccine that is helping reduce cases.
Other Symptoms: Fatigue, fever, achiness, headache, appetite loss, and severe itching.
7. Allergic Reaction/Eyes
An allergic reaction to something may cause eye swelling, in addition to a rash all over the body. This is usually due to something you eat, or take internally (medications). It may also be caused by external exposure to something you are allergic to like soaps, perfumes, dye or lotions. The rash usually appears first, then swelling to the eyes, lips, or entire face will happen. If left untreated, it can be fatal. This is a medical emergency and needs immediate treatment.
Other Symptoms: Anxiety, feeling hot, itching, dizziness, trouble breathing/wheezing, nausea, diarrhea, and loss of consciousness (if severe).
When to See a Doctor
For any of the above conditions, you should seek emergency medical attention if the swelling includes your airways. Eye swelling in itself is not an emergency, but whatever caused your eyes to swell may affect other areas. If you are not having any trouble breathing, or an irregular heart rate, give your doctor a call as soon as possible.
Treatments to Help
You can do some things at home to help relieve swollen eyes and rash all over body, if you are not experiencing a life threatening condition. Home remedies may help relieve discomfort including:
Cold cloth over eyes. Try placing a cool cloth over your eyes to help bring swelling down. You can also try an ice pack; just make sure it is wrapped in a towel to prevent cold burns.
Poison oak creams. There are over-the-counter creams that help to relieve the symptoms of poison oak or ivy exposure. While these cannot be used in the eye area, they will help relieve skin rashes and inflammation.
Vaccinations. Chickenpox is a preventable illness with proper vaccinations. This vaccine is usually given in two doses starting at one-year of age.
Manage seasonal allergies. Proper management of seasonal allergies can help relieve symptoms. This includes:
Close windows at night to reduce pollen in the house.
Use an over-the-counter antihistamine.
Drink plenty of fluids.
Shower and change clothes after being outs
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