Swollen Eyelid: Causes, Treatment, and More

A swollen or puffy eyelid is common. Causes can range from fluid retention to a severe infection. In most cases, the swelling goes away within 24 hours. You can reduce the swelling with compresses, but how you treat a swollen eyelid also depends on the cause.

Several reasons your eyelid may be swollen include:

• allergies
• bug bite
• fluid retention
• pink eye (conjunctivitis)
• stye, a tender red bump
• cyst (chalazion), a blocked oil gland
• orbital or pre-orbital cellulitis, inflammation that spreads to the skin around your eyes
• trauma or injury, often accompanied by discoloration

Some medical conditions can also cause symptoms of a swollen eye or eyelid. This includes Graves’ disease and eye cancer, although rare. To avoid complications, see an eye care professional if the swelling lasts longer than 24 to 48 hours.

Things you can do immediately

You can treat swollen eyelids at home, especially if they are caused by fluid retention, stress, allergies, or lack of sleep. If those are possible causes, then swelling will often be in both eyes.

• Use saline solution to rinse your eyes, if there’s discharge.
• Use a cool compress over your eyes. This can be a cold washcloth.
• Remove contacts, if you have them.

If your puffy eyes are due to allergies, you can use antihistamine eye drops. For severe allergic reactions, you may need prescription eye drops. Oral antihistamines can also help.

How to treat a swollen eyelid

If your eyelids are painful or tender to the touch, the cause is likely an infection, cyst, or stye. It’s important to determine the cause of your swollen eyelid, as treatment options depend on what caused it.

Cyst

If your upper or lower eyelid is swollen, it could be from a cyst or chalazion. A chalazion typically swells in the middle portion of the lid. These cysts can take a few weeks to clear and some develop into a hard bump.

Treatment: For relief, hold a wet heated cloth over your eye. The warmth can help with oil secretion and blockage. You can do this four to five times a day. If the cyst continues to linger, see your doctor. They can help drain it for you.

Stye

A stye forms due to a minor infection at the base of the eyelid near the eyelash. It can be internal or external, but it often shows as a well-defined red bump. Once the pus is released from the stye, generally your eye will get better.

Treatment: You can use a warm compress to bring relief and promote healing. It usually takes a few weeks before it clears up. Avoid using makeup while you have a stye, as this can cause reinfection.

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Journal of Eye Diseases and Disorders
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