Swollen eyelid causes and how to treat a swollen eyelid

What is a swollen eyelid?

A swollen eyelid develops due to fluid buildup or inflammation in the connective tissue around the eye. Swollen eyes may or may not be painful, and the condition can affect both the upper and lower eyelids. Swollen eyelids may be treatable at home for the most common causes.

Swelling of the eyelids can range from minor to severe and can have many underlying causes. In some cases, swollen eyelids may be a sign of a more serious health problem that could cause vision loss.

An eye doctor can identify the cause of your swollen eyelid if home remedies do not work.

What causes a swollen eyelid?

Many conditions and factors can cause a swollen eyelid, including:

• Eye infections
• Styes (red, painful lumps on the eyelid)
• Chalazia (painless lumps on the eyelid that can begin as a stye)
• Cysts
• Eye injuries (like getting hit near your eye)
• Blepharitis (inflammation near the base of the eyelashes)
• Allergies
• Eczema
• Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
• Cellulitis (including orbital or periorbital cellulitis)
• Graves' disease (overproduction of hormones from the thyroid into the body)
• Ocular herpes
• Insect bites
• Crying
• Eyelid dryness or flaking
• Fluid retention (usually resulting in puffy eyes)
• Contact lens wear

Understanding the cause of your swollen eyes can help ensure you get the proper treatment.

READ MORE: Causes of a swollen eyelid

Is your (or your child's) eyelid swollen?

Swelling in or around the eyes can be uncomfortable, unattractive and unsettling. Especially when the swelling is sudden or ongoing. If you're unsure what's causing your eyelid to swell, contact an eye doctor now. They can help you discern the issue and advise you on appropriate treatment.

How do I treat a swollen eyelid?

Home remedies can treat minor bouts of swollen eyelids. Avoid rubbing your eyes, as this will only aggravate your condition.

Try these home treatments for mild cases of swollen eyelids:

• If you have eye discharge along with your swollen eyelid, use a sterile saline solution to rinse your eyes.
• Apply a cold, wet compress to your eyes to help reduce the fluid buildup. Cold tea bags can also help with swollen eyelids.
• If wearing contact lenses, take your contacts out for a few hours.
• If you have allergies, use eye drops or a topical cream containing antihistamines.
• Anti-inflammatory eye drops may help with discomfort from swollen eyelids caused by allergies or minor infections like viral pink eye.
• Lie down or sleep with your head elevated to reduce fluid buildup.

SEE RELATED: How to treat a swollen eyelid & Home remedies for swollen eyelids

Signs and symptoms that may accompany swollen eyes

Swelling of the eyelids is a sign of an underlying cause, such as an allergy or infection. You may have some of these other signs or symptoms along with swollen eyelids:

• Eye irritation, such as an itchy or scratchy sensation
• Sensitivity to light (photophobia)
• Excess tear production, resulting in watering eyes
• Obstructed vision (depending on the extent of the swelling)
• Redness of the eyelid
• Redness of the white part of the eye
• Eye discharge
• Eyelash crusting
• Eyelid dryness or flaking
• Soreness, particularly involving an infection or injury

Here is a closer look at some of the more common signs and symptoms associated with swollen eyelids:

Itchy eyes

Your swollen eyelids may be the result of allergies. Most of the time, allergies cause itchy eyes. Pollen, dust and animal dander cause the release of histamines in the tissues surrounding the eyes. The histamine results in itching, redness and swelling around your eyes.

Light sensitivity

Swollen eyelids may sometimes be accompanied by photophobia, a sensitivity to light, especially when the swelling is due to an infection or inflammation. Sunlight, fluorescent light and incandescent light can cause discomfort and a need to squint or close your eyes. Headaches may also occur with light sensitivity.

Watery eyes

Watery eyes can accompany swollen eyes. Irritation from conditions like dry eye syndrome and blepharitis can result in an overproduction of the watery component of tears. This excess fluid can lead to swollen eyelids.

Red eyes

Your swollen eyelids may occur along with redness in your eyes. Red or bloodshot eyes are very common and have many causes. Red eyes are usually a sign of other eye conditions that can range from benign to serious.

Eye discharge

Eye discharge, or "sleep" in your eyes, could be causing the swelling of your eyelids. Eye discharge is the mucus, oil, skin cells and other debris that often collects in the corner of your eye. It can be wet and sticky or dry and crusty, depending on how much of the liquid in the discharge has evaporated.

Dry eyes

Dry eye syndrome can cause a range of issues, including swollen eyelids. Chronic lack of lubrication and moisture on the surface of the eye causes dry eye syndrome. Side effects of dry eyes range from subtle eye irritation to significant swelling of the eye.

Eye pain

Eye pain may be coupled with blurred vision, bloodshot eyes, sensitivity to light and swollen eyelids. Eye pain is a catch-all phrase to describe discomfort on, in, behind or around the eye.

Crusting of the eyelashes

Crusting (or “mattering”) of the eyelashes refers to the buildup that can form at the base of the lashes, often making them stick together. This is a common sign of blepharitis. In squamous blepharitis, dry flakes form along the eyelid margin, while in Demodex blepharitis, tiny mites create waxy, sleeve-like collarettes at the base of the lashes. Both types can cause eyelid redness, swelling and other effects.

4 tips for preventing swollen eyes

1. Get tested for allergies. If swollen eyelids from allergies are a regular occurrence, knowing what you're allergic to can help you avoid specific allergens or reduce your exposure to them.
2. Pick beauty products that are hypoallergenic and fragrance-free to help avoid allergy flare-ups. Do a test on the inside of your wrist before using the makeup on your face to prevent an allergic reaction near your eyes.
3. When using eye drops, look for preservative-free eye drops. Preservatives in regular eye drops slow down bacterial growth, but some people may be allergic to these preservatives.
4. If you wear contact lenses, you can curb your risk of eyelid swelling by practicing proper hygiene. Always wash your hands before inserting or taking out contacts. Frequent replacement of your contact lenses and contact lens case is also part of proper hygiene.

FAQs

Q: What can cause you to wake up with swollen eyelids every morning?

A: The most common reasons you may wake up with swollen eyelids every morning are eye allergies, sleeping in your makeup and fluid retention:

• Contact with allergens — such as dust and pet dander — can cause your eyelids to appear puffy in the morning.
• Sleeping in eye makeup can cause a skin irritation called contact dermatitis, which may lead to swollen eyelids.
• Lying flat on your back or face down as you sleep can cause fluid to pool and settle around the cheeks and eyes. This can make your eyelids appear puffy or swollen when you wake.

Q: What causes dry, swollen eyelids?

A: Dry, swollen eyelids can be caused by eyelid dermatitis (including eczema), a non-contagious skin condition that affects the eyelids. Blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelids) may also cause them to be dry and swollen. If you experience dry, swollen eyelids consistently, you should see an eye doctor.

Q: What is the difference between puffy and swollen eyes?

A: The term "puffy eyes" doesn't always mean the same thing as "swollen eyelids." The two terms sometimes refer to different things.

Swollen eyelids, or swelling around the eyes, are often a response to inflammation, allergies, infection or injury. Eyelid swelling can happen in just one eye or both eyes.

Eye puffiness may be related to a lack of sleep, age-related sagging of tissues and general water retention. If you have puffy eyes, it will typically affect both eyes.

When to see a doctor about a swollen eyelid

Be sure to visit your eye doctor for an eye exam if you experience any of the following issues along with your swollen eyelids:

• Signs or symptoms persist for more than 24 to 48 hours.
• Eyelid swelling doesn't go away with home remedies.
• Your vision starts to change or get worse.
• Black dots, or “ floaters,” appear in your vision.
• The discomfort intensifies or does not go away.
• A lump starts to appear within the swelling.
• Eye movement becomes difficult.

An eye doctor will give you a medical diagnosis and the most effective treatment. A referral to a specialist may be needed if the cause of the swollen eyelid is severe enough.