Eye Swollens After Massage

[johnnyballgame]

After having a massage while laying face down for about 30 minutes, I turn over and both of my eyes are severely swollen.  I could barely see.  It feels as if my eyeballs got pushed out a little.  The upper and lower lids we very swollen.  When I got home, I took some benedryl and it didn't help, things didn't get worse, but it did not get better.  It has now been about 15 hours since the massage, and things are a little better, but not anywhere close to being back to normal.  Any ideas on what this is or when things should return to normal??  Thanks for any help.

[shellis2002]

I have had this happen as well after the last 3 massages...ive gotten black, slightly swollen, eyes, that last for a couple days! The main reason I'm worried is cuz I got thrombosis due to a botched sinus surgery last March 2016... (& no, I didn't she the Dr cuz I couldn't find an attorney that would.) Anyways, the black eyes are very unattractive & the swelling is kinda sore!

[JohnHaganMD]

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[cherrieapril]

Im 30 years old, and I just experienced the swelling of my face ang eyes and lightheadedness after a 1 and 1/2 hours of lying down from a massage today. I have history of Bel's Palsy last 5years ago after my delivery. And i have an allergies and allergic rhinitis for 4years from now. Its been 2hours since my face and left eye got swollen and is getting better now but im still worried.  Hope I can find some answers from this happening. Thank you

[JohnHaganMD]

Most likely something used in the massage has caused you irritation or allergy. Many of the oils have scents and allergens in them. Fine out what they used and avoid it in the future

[chapstick7]

This just happened to me as well today.  I was doing yoga and all of a sudden, my face got swollen.  My eyes were all puffed up and my upper lip was swollen.  Just before it happened, my scalp was super itchy.  So strange.  I'm 40 year old female.  Healthy, no allergies. My only affliction is hypothyroidism.  It is about 12 hours later and my face is still swollen.

[massageye]

I have had this condition for years now, and did not find an explanation yet.  My heart has been checked, I turn every 15 minute during a massage, and try to stay away from being head down during yoga classes.  Still, it bothers me, especially when sometimes I am not careful and I end up with a pain in my chest and fatigued for several hours or days.

[massageye]

It is helpful to know that I am not alone with this issue.  My doctors and massage therapists are puzzled by it.  Yes, I have allergies, rhinitis, and asthma, and sometimes my reactions are more severe than other times.  The swelling looks bad, but I also get symptoms that feel more threatening, like a very itchy head when doing postures during yoga with  my head down, and feeling like my circulation is affected, and there is pressure in my chest for several days or several hours after yoga and massage.  My heart has been checked out several times, and is always fine, however I have many painful muscles in my chest, and they do hurt when I am under stress or tense (not from yoga or massage).  This is the first time I am googling about this... hope to learn more.

[mumivi]

I was surprised to read that someone else experienced swollen eyelids after a massage. I had a Chinese massage tonight with face down and as soon as I turned I noticed something was wrong with my upper lip. When I got up I realised both my eyelids and upper lip were swollen. I was told it will go away but after 4 h it is still there. I am afraid the massage might have started something in my body. Any ideas? It would be great to get an expert opinion. I am 37 and have no allergies or known med conditions.

[melcuross]

Thank you all for the info. I am a 31 year old and have been getting massages regularly. I have found in this last year, that my eyes become swollen after getting a massage. Never before though (I have been getting massages for years now), so the sudden change has me scratching my head! Just as long as it's not something serious, a few hours of having poofy eyes after a massage is not a big deal!

[happytohelp]

This exact thing happened to me last night. I got an excellent 30 minute massage, face down, and when I got up I looked like I had just gotten out of the ring with Mike Tyson (I don't box).

It's 12 1/2 hours later and it's much better, but I still have two unsightly bags under my eyes. I'm 41, by the way.

This has never happened to me before - I've only ever had one other massage - and it's scary, because part of my life involves being on stage a lot.

I guess it could be a lot worse - I'm grateful for all the wonderful things I do have - but I felt I should share my experience to aid in any efforts to remedy this affliction.

As far as allergies go, I don't tolerate suntan lotion very well; whenever I put it on my face (and it inevitably sweats into my eyes a little - or I rub my eyes, with lotion on my hands), my eyes begin to burn. This even happens with certain simple hand lotions.

I like what cj1980 had to say. Thanks! It put me at ease.

[cj1980]

I have seen it on myself (female, 29 years old) as well as one of my clients (female, ~45 years old). Both of us had acute allergy issues with post nasal drip and both times the face cradle was also tilted slightly downward. But if it's not something that is "normal" for most massages, which is why I denoted that a trip to the doc is in order if it is not gone yet.

[Ray T Oyakawa, MD]

I have never seen or heard of this.

Dr. O.

[cj1980]

This happens to me sometimes when I receive massage due to some seasonal and chronic issues that I have.  I am also a certified massage therapist and have seen a few clients experience this swelling or edema after lying prone ("face down") for extended periods. Are you having any other symptoms or conditions like allergies, colds, etc. that would have possibly increased the amount of fluids that are in your neck/face area?  Have you ever had an issue with swelling during/after a massage before?

Sometimes a localized edema (swelling) can happen because of pressure from the face cradle, as well as gravity, brings fluids toward the face and causes it to "pool". I see this more in people like myself who have allergies or other conditions that include post-nasal drip as a symptom. Basically, the lymphatic system (a system of metabolic waste removal just below the surface of the skin) can't get rid of the wastes and excess fluids that have built up because they pooled for a longer amount of time.

Gravity and muscle movement help to move lymph away from areas most of the time, but if you are still having these issues after 15 hours, you may want to make an appointment with a physician. Drinking plenty of fluids is almost always indicated after a massage in the meantime, though. It helps to move the wastes out of the system and hydrate your tissues. If it doesn't clear up on its own, definitely call a physician, especially if this is the first time this has happened. It could be an indication of something else that should be addressed.

Also, as a courtesy, notify your massage therapist of this issue, because he/she will need to note it in their charting and make possible modifications to their treatment the next time around.