But if a swollen eyelid sticks around, you might need to see a doctor to rule out things like infection or an allergy.<\/p>\n
Here, experts share the most common reasons your eyelids swell, which ones go away on their own, and which need a doctor’s attention\u2014plus how to prevent puffy eyelids in the first place.<\/p>\n
You have a stye<\/h2>\n
“Think of a stye like an eyelid pimple,” says Ashley Brissette, MD<\/a>, an ophthalmologist and founder of Daily Practice<\/a>.<\/p>\n These small, painful red lumps can develop on your eyelid when the meibomian (oil) glands get clogged, she adds.<\/p>\n Styes are typically caused by a bacterial infection, says Y. Claire Chang, MD<\/a>, a board-certified dermatologist at Union Square Laser Dermatology<\/a> in NYC. \u201cThe resulting inflammation causes redness and swelling,\u201d says Dr. Chang. Sometimes, this swelling can affect the whole eyelid.<\/p>\n Other symptoms of a stye may include the following, per the American Academy of Ophthalmology<\/a> (AAO):<\/p>\n Luckily, styes aren\u2019t super serious and tend to go away on their own within a week or two, says Dr. Chang. Try speeding up your recovery time with the following home remedies, per Dr. Chang and Dr. Brissette:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \n <\/div>\n A blocked oil gland can result in something called a chalazion\u2014a swollen, red bump on the eyelid. If this sounds familiar, it’s pretty similar to styes. The main differences? A chalazion is not usually painful like a stye (it can feel slightly tender<\/em>, though), per the AAO. Chalazions also tend to develop further back on the eyelid than styes. And unlike a stye, you might have blurry vision if a chalazion grows large enough to press on your eyeball.<\/p>\n You can treat a blocked oil gland the same way you treat a stye: Apply warm compresses, keep the area clean, and don\u2019t squeeze the bump. If your chalazion sticks around, gets worse, or affects your vision, you should head to the doctor\u2019s office. They may prescribe antibiotics, drain it, or give you a steroid shot to reduce the swelling, per the AAO.<\/p>\n Turns out, your eyelids are not immune to the swelling that can happen during an allergic reaction.\u201cWhen allergens like pollen, dust, pet dander, or certain chemicals come into contact with your eyes,\u201d your immune system may overreact by releasing histamine, says Dr. Brissette.<\/p>\n Histamine is a chemical that plays a big role in your body\u2019s inflammatory response. When it comes to your eyes, histamine leads \u201cto increased blood flow and leaky blood vessels, which cause the accumulation of fluid in the surrounding tissues,\u201d says Dr. Chang. This is what makes your eyelids swollen. And because your eyelid skin is thin and sensitive<\/a>, swelling can look more noticeable, says Dr. Chang.<\/p>\n Itchiness and redness are also telltale symptoms of an allergy. While environmental allergens like pollen and dust are frequent offenders for swollen, itchy eyelids, other common allergens include foods, medications (like certain antibiotics or preservatives in eye drops), and cosmetics (especially nail polish), according to the Australian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy<\/a>.<\/p>\n A warning to keep in mind:<\/strong> In severe cases, an allergy can cause anaphylaxis, a serious, potentially life-threatening reaction. If you have symptoms like lip and\/or tongue swelling or difficulty breathing, seek medical attention ASAP, says Dr. Chang.<\/p>\n Over-the-counter oral antihistamines<\/a> (like Benadryl, Claritin, and Zyrtec) can help reduce eyelid swelling and other allergy-related symptoms, says Dr. Chang. Cold compresses can also soothe swollen, inflamed eyelids too, says Dr. Brissette. Still, both Dr. Chang and Dr. Brissette agree: The best way to prevent swollen eyelids is to avoid the allergen in the first place. When that\u2019s not totally possible, try cleansing your eyelids daily to remove things like pollen and dust as a preventive strategy.<\/p>\n You may associate the oozy, crusty puffiness of pink eye with days off in elementary school, but turns out, pink eye can affect adults too. Pink eye, also known as conjunctivitis, is \u201can inflammation of the conjunctiva\u2014the clear, thin membrane that covers the white part of your eye and lines the inner surface of your eyelids,\u201d says Dr. Brissette.<\/p>\n \u201cThis inflammation can lead to fluid retention and swollen eyelids,\u201d says Dr. Chang. Other symptoms of pink eye can include the following, per the Cleveland Clinic<\/a>:<\/p>\n Pink eye can be triggered by allergens or irritants, but it’s typically caused by a bacterial or viral infection, which is highly contagious and can spread through contaminated surfaces or direct contact with someone who has it, says Dr. Brissette. This is why \u201cit’s particularly common in crowded places like schools and gyms,\u201d she adds.<\/p>\n The course of treatment for pink eye will largely depend on its cause. If it’s from bacteria, antibiotic eye drops should clear it, says Dr. Chang. But if it’s a virus, you’ll have to wait two to three weeks until it goes away on its own, says Dr. Brissette. To ease your discomfort while it heals, try cold compresses for the itchiness, she adds.<\/p>\n It’s also important, like with all germs, to make sure you’re washing your hands<\/a> throughout the day. Make sure to also wash your pillowcases<\/a> and towels<\/a> regularly, and throw away any expired makeup<\/a> or products you used while infected, says Dr. Brissette.<\/p>\n If your eyelid swelling is accompanied by dry, itchy, or bumpy skin, you might be dealing with eczema<\/a>. The skin condition can show up anywhere on your body\u2014face and eyelids included. When it does affect your eye area, it can cause redness, flaking, itching, burning, and swelling of your eyelid skin.<\/p>\n Eyelid eczema is most common in people who already have eczema on other parts of their body, says Dr. Chang. It can also show up in people who have reactions to certain allergens or irritants, including the following, per the Cleveland Clinic<\/a>:<\/p>\n When you have an eczema flare, your doctor will likely give you a topical steroid to calm down your angry, inflamed skin. You can also keep eyelid eczema in check by avoiding things that trigger flares, says Dr. Chang.<\/p>\n As a general rule, steer clear of soaps and makeup with fragrance<\/a>, and use skin products designed specifically for sensitive skin.<\/p>\n Blepharitis is the medical term for irritated, inflamed eyelids. This chronic condition can have multiple causes, but the most common include the following, according to Dr. Chang:<\/p>\n On top of red, swollen eyelids, other symptoms of blepharitis may include the following, according to the Cleveland Clinic<\/a>:<\/p>\n The treatment method for blepharitis will depend on what’s causing it. If it’s an infection, antibiotics and\/or steroid eye drops will help. If it\u2019s skin-related, like rosacea or eyebrow dandruff<\/a>, treating these conditions with prescription creams is a smart strategy.<\/p>\n Whatever the root cause, you can also soothe your swollen eyelids with home remedies. The Cleveland Clinic suggests avoiding eye makeup, using warm compresses, getting enough omega-3s<\/a> for heathy oil glands, and scrubbing your eyelids with spray, foam, or individually wrapped towelettes with hypochlorous acid to reduce dandruff and bacteria.<\/p>\n Much like your whole body can hold on to fluid and cause bloating, your eyelids can do the same. This is called edema, and it can give your face an especially puffy appearance. \u201cThe eyelids are very thin, so even the smallest amount of swelling looks very prominent here,\u201d says Dr. Brissette.<\/p>\n Lots of things can trigger edema around the eyes. Allergies and high-sodium foods<\/a> are common culprits, says Dr. Brissette. More serious issues can also cause fluid buildup, including infections, hormonal changes, kidney issues, or heart failure, adds Dr. Chang.<\/p>\n Edema is often a symptom of a larger issue. Once you treat the root cause, swelling should go down. In general, a cool compress can help calm puffy eyelids. Gentle lymphatic massage<\/a> and sleeping with your head elevated can also reduce fluid retention in the eye region, says Dr. Chang.<\/p>\n “Gentle lymphatic massage and sleeping with your head elevated can also reduce fluid retention in the eye region.” \u2014Y. Claire Chang, MD, dermatologist<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Before you panic: Herpes simplex virus (HSV) Type I is actually fairly common. It’s the type that causes cold sores, but it can infect other parts of your face\u2014including your eyelids and eyeballs\u2014and cause swelling, says Dr. Brissette.<\/p>\n While you can technically contract HSV Type 2 (the sexually transmitted form that causes genital sores) in your eyes, Type I is more likely to cause eye infections and spreads to the eyes more easily (think: touching a cold sore and then touching your eye), according to the AAO<\/a>.<\/p>\n Once you’ve gotten herpes, \u201cthe virus can lay dormant in your nerve cells,\u201d says Dr. Brissette. It can be “reactivated” by certain triggers like the following, per the AAO:<\/p>\n Herpes in your eyeball<\/em> even has its own name\u2014ocular herpes, or herpes simplex keratitis. This can cause “inflammation on your eyelids, the conjunctiva (the white of the eye), or the iris (the colored part of the eye),\u201d says Dr. Chang. Symptoms of ocular herpes are usually pain in the eyes, redness, a gritty feeling, light sensitivity, watering, and blisters on your eyelids, she adds.<\/p>\n Herpes (whether in your eye or elsewhere) is manageable with antiviral medications. If you think you have ocular herpes, make an appointment with an ophthalmologist. They will prescribe an antiviral and check that the infection hasn’t spread to other parts of your eye, says Dr. Brissette.<\/p>\n Cellulitis is a type of bacterial infection that can happen anywhere on your body, including your eyelids. It can happen when bacteria sneaks through cracks or openings on your skin\u2014like open cuts or wounds, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention<\/a> (CDC). Sometimes, it can also spread from an infection that starts in your sinuses, per Boston\u2019s Children\u2019s Hospital<\/a>.<\/p>\n When this happens, cellulitis can manifest in one of two ways: periorbital cellulitis (the area from the skin of your eyelid to the bony area that encloses your eye) or orbital cellulitis (the eye and eye structures within the bony cavity of your face), says Dr. Chang.<\/p>\n Both types can lead to redness, pain, warmth, and swelling of your eyelids, says Dr. Chang. It can also cause blurry vision and widespread symptoms like fever and chills. Luckily, it isn’t contagious, but certain factors do make you more susceptible, per the CDC. You have a higher risk of infection if you:<\/p>\n Dr. Chang says you need antibiotics to treat cellulitis. Catching it early can reduce your chances of more serious complications like meningitis (an infection of the brain and spinal cord), vision loss, and nerve damage, according to Boston Children\u2019s Hospital.<\/p>\n You might know that the thyroid\u2014the tiny, butterfly-shaped endocrine gland in your neck\u2014plays a big part in regulating your metabolism. But you might not<\/em> know that it can cause some strange eye symptoms when it\u2019s not working well. Thyroid eye disease (TED) is an autoimmune disorder that causes inflammation in your eye muscles and fatty tissue behind your eye, according to Penn Medicine. It can make your eyelids red and swollen, push your eyes out (so they appear to bulge), or even lead to blurred or double vision.<\/p>\n Other signs of TED can include the following, per Penn Medicine<\/a>:<\/p>\n While TED usually affects people with an over-active thyroid (hyperthyroidism), it can also affect those with an under-active thyroid (hypothyroidism) or even in people with a healthy thyroid gland.<\/p>\n Because TED tends to get worse over time, it\u2019s important to see a doctor as soon as you have symptoms. They can check out your eyes and decide which treatment is best for you. For some, simply using artificial tears or taking a selenium<\/a> supplement (to support thyroid health) might be enough, according to Penn Medicine. But some people with severe TED might need surgery.<\/p>\n If you’re older than 60, have had chicken pox, or have a weakened immune system, you may have a higher chance of getting shingles, per Penn Medicine<\/a>. Shingles is like herpes’ cousin: It belongs in the same family of viruses. It’s also the same virus that causes chicken pox, says Dr. Chang.<\/p>\n Like herpes, shingles can lay dormant for years and resurface later on. If it’s activated in your trigeminal nerve (a large nerve in your head), it can cause herpes zoster ophthalmicus\u2014a virus that affects your eyes, says Dr. Chang. Besides swollen eyelids, you can also get one-sided blisters on your eyelids, forehead, or nose, rashes on your shoulders or torso, redness, pain, sensitivity to light, blurred vision, and difficulty moving your eye, she adds.<\/p>\n It’s important to see your doctor right away if you think you have shingles, says Dr. Chang. Your doctor will give you oral or intravenous antivirals to help treat the virus\u2014which can cause vision issues if left untreated. And if you’re older than 50, ask your doctor about getting a shingles vaccine. Older adults who\u2019re vaccinated tend to get fewer complications from the virus, according to Penn Medicine.<\/p>\n While not extremely common (especially for those who’re younger and protect their skin from the sun’s rays), a swollen eyelid could signal a serious health issue like cancer. There are many types of cancers that can affect your eyelid, but the most common is a skin cancer called basal cell carcinoma (BCC), according to UT Health San Antonio MD Anderson Cancer Center<\/a>.<\/p>\n BCCs often appear on your lower eyelid. Besides swelling, other signs to look out for include:<\/p>\n You’re at a higher risk for eyelid cancer if you have light skin or blue eyes, if you’ve spent a lot of time in the sun or exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, or if you smoke cigarettes, per UT Health San Antonio MD Anderson Cancer Center.<\/p>\n The first thing to note is that eyelid cancers like BCC can be treated successfully and don’t usually spread to other parts of your body. But catching it early is key. A dermatologist can check your eyelid and figure out the best kind of treatment\u2014the most common being Mohs micrographic surgery, or the removal of cancerous cells one layer at a time using a microscope, according to UT Health San Antonio MD Anderson Cancer Center.<\/p>\n Protecting your skin from the sun is another important way to prevent skin cancer. Here are a few habits to try, from Stanford Medicine<\/a>:<\/p>\n You can\u2019t always prevent a swollen eyelid, especially if it’s because of an underlying condition, but you can take steps to help reduce the risk a bit. Here are some tips to try, according to Dr. Chang and Dr. Brissette:<\/p>\n If your eyelid is still swollen after you’ve tried home remedies, or it gets bigger after a few days, it’s time to make a doctor’s appointment. Dr. Chang says to see a doctor ASAP if your swollen eyelid comes with pain, blurry vision, warmth, discharge, or symptoms of infection like fever and chills. These are all signs that you could be dealing with a more serious eye issue.<\/p>\n\n
How to fix it<\/h3>\n
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\n Shop Now <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\nYou have a blocked oil gland<\/h2>\n
How to fix it<\/h3>\n
You have allergies<\/h2>\n
How to fix it<\/h3>\n
You have pink eye<\/h2>\n
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How to fix it<\/h3>\n
You have eczema on your eyelid<\/h2>\n
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How to fix it<\/h3>\n
You have chronic eyelid inflammation (aka, blepharitis)<\/h2>\n
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How to fix it<\/h3>\n
You’re retaining fluid (aka, edema)<\/h2>\n
How to fix it<\/h3>\n
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You have the herpes virus<\/h2>\n
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How to fix it<\/h3>\n
You have a bacterial infection (aka, cellulitis)<\/h2>\n
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How to fix it<\/h3>\n
You have thyroid disease<\/h2>\n
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How to fix it<\/h3>\n
You may have shingles<\/h2>\n
How to fix it<\/h3>\n
In rare cases, it may be eyelid cancer<\/h2>\n
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How to fix it<\/h3>\n
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How to prevent a swollen eyelid<\/h2>\n
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When to see a doctor<\/h2>\n