Whether it's an evening of heavy drinking or a sleepless, restless night, fluid retention and stress can lead to red, puffy eyes in the morning. Also caused by allergies and changes in your hormones, puffy eyes happen when there is increased blood flow through the eyes due to the skin around the eyes being very thin. The production of too many tears can be another factor. There are several inexpensive home remedies for the treatment of puffy eyes.

Cucumbers placed over eyelids is a popular image seen in advertisements for spas and beauty salons across the U.S. The theory is that the moisture in cucumber slices is refreshing and soothing. They also contain an anti-irritation ingredient that helps deflate the skin around your eyes to reduce swelling.

How to use: Cut out two cucumber slices about ½" thick and place them in a bowl of ice water for approximately ten minutes. Splash your face with cool water from the faucet, then find a comfortable chair to sit in (do not lie down!) and apply the cucumbers for 5-10 minutes.

Because caffeine shrinks blood vessels, and puffy eyes are caused by irritated blood vessels and increased blood flow to the eyes, applying tea bags will help reduce redness and swelling. Placing the tea bags in ice cold water (see "How to use" section below) has a rebuffing effect that is soothing to the eyes. Tea also contains tannic acid, which acts as an astringent and may even tighten the skin around the eyes, at least temporarily.

How to use: Dip two tea bags in a bowl of ice cold water for a few seconds, then apply one to each eyelid for approximately 10-15 minutes. If this proves to be too soggy, another option is to lightly moisten the tea bags in cold water, then chill them in the refrigerator for a few minutes before using.

There's a reason why you see mothers lunging for the freezer when their kid gets hit in the nose with a football. Anything that is frozen--ice packs, ice compresses, bags of vegetables--will help reduce swelling. Peas work the best, however, because the individual frozen peas are tiny enough settle in around the eye area, forming a kind of mold.

How to use: Remove the bag of frozen peas from the freezer, place it on a paper towel and allow it to thaw out for 10 minutes. Next, place the bag directly on the face so it covers both eyes, and let it sit for 10-15 minutes.

Washing your face with cold water, limiting your sodium (salt) intake, getting plenty of sleep, avoiding too much alcohol and drinking fluids are all other ways you can reduce the itching, redness and irritation associated with puffy eyes.