For many years, people have sworn by the benefits of using hemorrhoid treatments to reduce puffiness or swelling under the eyes. This is particularly true of creams, but not the case with medicated pads for hemorrhoids. Medicated pads contain astringents like witch hazel that can quite easily irritate the eyes. There are no actual clinical trials to show that hemorrhoid creams work to relive tired eyes. Some people claim to see benefits from the product, while others find minimal reduction of under eye swelling.
There is evidence, however, to suggest that hemorrhoid cream could be a dangerous irritant to the eyes. In fact, some companies that make it have asked people not to use it for puffy eyes because of potentially harmful effects. Most US manufacturers have also eliminated the ingredients in the cream that were thought to reduce puffiness.
The primary ingredients in older formulations of hemorrhoid cream were shark oil and yeast called Bio-Dyne or live yeast cell derivative (LYCD). LYCD has been shown to accelerate wound healing, but the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requested it be removed from hemorrhoid treatments. This has disappointed many who swear by the benefits of the cream, since new formulations do not reduce puffiness and have an astringent that can irritate the eyes even more.
Canadian and European hemorrhoid treatments often still do contain both LYCD and shark oil. These can be ordered online, but they still may be unsafe to use. Instead, individuals might want to try alternate remedies for helping to reduce the appearance of tired eyes.
For instance, sleeping on the back at night tends to cause less fluid to accumulate under the eyes. Drinking eight glasses of water a day can actually help the body shed excess fluid, and eating a low sodium diet can also help the problem. Green tea bags and cold cucumber slices can both refresh the eyes and are even less expensive than hemorrhoid cream.
People who are concerned about tired looking eyes should also look at what is causing the problem. Allergic reactions can make fluid accumulate under the eyes, so taking antihistamines and allergy proofing the home might have a positive effect. When water is retained under the eyes and in the feet, hands, wrists, and ankles, this may signify problems with the heart or circulatory system. A person with significant fluid retention should see a medical professional to rule out serious health problems.