Have you ever noticed swelling, puffiness, or inflammation around your eyes? If yes, you might have experienced a swollen eyelid. Your eyes and surrounding tissues are so delicate that a slight swelling can make your eyes look dramatic. In most cases of eyelid swelling, simple home remedies are efficient. However, you may have to see a doctor if the situation persists.
In this article, let’s understand more about this medical problem and learn what is the fastest way to heal a swollen eyelid.
What is a Swollen Eyelid?
Swollen eyelid is a common eye problem known as blepharitis in medical terms. It is a chronic situation but not contagious. People with certain skin conditions or oil skin are more prone to this swollen or irritated eyelid situation. There can be three different situations or eye swelling scale:
- Mild – when your eyelid is puffy but can open your eyes normally.
- Moderate – eyes are more than puffy, but you can still open them.
- Severe – eyelids swollen are shut or almost shut.
You can experience swelling in both eyelids or only an upper or swollen lower eyelid. It can be painless or itching with a bit of pain or discomfort. However, do not mix eyelid swelling with bulging eyes as they are different, even though some symptoms may look similar.
9 Common Swollen Eyelid Symptoms
Wondering why is my upper eyelid swollen? To get the answer to this question, it is crucial you get familiar with the symptoms of it; listed below are some of the signs to determine whether eyelid swelling or another condition is causing it.
- Edema – Presence of excessive fluid or inflamed skin tissue around the eyes.
- Scratchy and itchy sensation – Gets more irritated when rubbed.
- Light sensitivity – A chronic situation or sign of a severe problem.
- Watery eyes – Too much moisture even when releasing tears.
- Redness in the eye whites – Also called bloodshot eyes.
- Obstructed vision – You may have to squint if your eyelids swell too much.
- Redness on eyelid skin – A sign of inflammation or irritation.
- Discharge – A discharge, such as pus, coming from the eyes.
- Heat or pain sensation – Eye pain or warm eyes.
7 Common Swollen Eyelid Causes
A swollen eyelid treatment depends on its cause. Therefore, it is essential to know what causes swollen eyelids. There can be many reasons for you to have swollen eyelids. Some of them are mentioned below:
- Injury
- Allergies
- Illness
- Crying
- Some underlying medical conditions
- Fluid retention
- Infection
Swollen Eyelid Treatment for Instant Relief
Discomfort related to eyelid swelling can be treated at home with simple remedies. However, if you are experiencing severe pain, vision loss, or vision change, you should see an eye doctor immediately. Listed below are some swollen eyelid treatment fast home remedy:
- Warm compression – You can place a warm cloth over your eyes. However, ensure the cloth is not too hot.
- Cold compression – Keeping a damp and cool cloth on your eyes can also help lower inflammation.
- Tea bag compression – Use cool tea bags, such as green tea, on the eyes. Tea bags contain caffeine and tannins that can reduce inflammation. Remember not to use hot tea bags on your eyes.
- Cucumber slices – Cut small pieces of cucumber, refrigerate them for some time, and place the cold round pieces on your eyes for relief.
- Rinsing – You can try rinsing your eyes with saline or cool water.
A swollen eyelid usually goes away on its own in one day. However, if the swelling doesn’t improve within a few days, it is advisable to visit a doctor. You should never leave an eye infection untreated, or it can risk damaging your eyes. Your doctor can advise medicated eye drops or creams to address the issue.
Additionally, when you have a swollen eyelid, remember not to do the following:
- Using contact lens
- Using makeup
Conclusion
Waking up with a slightly swollen eyelid is common. However, if your eyelid is severely swollen, paying attention is important. There are many reasons why your eyelid might swell, and it’s best to get a proper diagnosis to find the right treatment. Check the symptoms listed above. If they sound familiar, seeing a doctor right away is crucial. Also, if the swelling doesn’t improve within a few days or you notice other symptoms, don’t hesitate to consult your doctor.
