Yes, crying can cause temporary fluid retention, specifically around the eyes. This is because crying irritates the eyes, leading to inflammation and fluid buildup in the surrounding tissues. The more you cry, the more pronounced this swelling can become.
Understanding the Swelling
When you cry, fluid gathers under your eyelids and around the eye area. This fluid accumulation results in the puffy, swollen appearance often associated with crying. This localized swelling is a common observation and is not indicative of a systemic fluid retention problem.
Several sources confirm this localized fluid retention:
- Medical News Today: States that fluid retention in the tissue around the eyes is a common cause of swelling after crying or sleep deprivation. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/swollen-eyes-from-crying
- Healthline: Notes that crying irritates the eyes, causing inflammation that contributes to swelling. https://www.healthline.com/health/periorbital-edema
- Patient.info: Explains that fluid retention and tissue swelling are common occurrences after crying. https://patient.info/eye-care/swollen-eyelid
- Verywell Health: Clearly states that tears can cause fluid retention around the eyes during crying. https://www.verywellhealth.com/how-to-get-rid-of-puffy-eyes-5105091
- All About Vision: Confirms that prolonged crying can lead to mild swelling around the eyes due to fluid retention. https://www.allaboutvision.com/symptoms/periorbital-edema/
It's important to distinguish between this localized, temporary fluid retention around the eyes and systemic fluid retention, which is a more serious condition with different causes and consequences.
Reducing Swelling: Cooling the area and gently massaging the fluid away can help reduce the swelling.
